The Comic Books Superheroes Read: An Exploration

Superheroes have always been a source of fascination for comic book enthusiasts. But what about the comic books their superheroes read? This article delves into the comic books that superheroes, both from #MARVEL and #DC comic universes, read. From the self-referential comics of The Fantastic Four to the nostalgia of Superboy and Impulse, we explore the comic book habits of some of your favorite superheroes.

From Fantastic Four to Spider-Man

The Fantastic Four, a team of superheroes created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby in the 1960s, is known for addressing important cultural issues within their comic books. In an issue of Astro City, a canonical 40th anniversary comic book, there's an excellent storyline where Glowbug beats up Stan Lee's equivalent, revealing the complexities and cultural implications of character design and representation. This issue explores the diverse and evolving nature of comic characters.

Marvel and DC: Different Approaches

MARVEL and DC have distinct approaches to their comic book universes. While Marvel often features tales of alternative Earths, with heroes like the Flash appearing earlier in different continuities, DC tends to present more newspaper-like stories with roving reporters, writers, and artists. For example, in Marvel, if the Flash from a different Earth travels to Earth-616, we see him as part of the Flash's history. In DC, such a perspective would likely be presented as a newspaper article featuring a visiting reporter covering the character's adventures.

Best-Selling Comic: She-Hulk

The best-selling comic in recent years has been She-Hulk, which helped revitalize the character and brought in new readers. She-Hulk's success was a welcome respite from the underperforming Mutant books, which despite lower sales, provided more grounded and relatable stories. This success highlights the importance of relatable and complex stories in maintaining a successful comic series.

Self-Referential Comics

Self-referential comics are a classic trope in superhero literature. For instance, in an issue of Superior Spider-Man, Franklin Richards reads Spider-Man stories and addresses Peter Parker as Spidey-Man. Similarly, Superboy and Impulse read their own comics and lament the cancellation of their series while Superboy's comic continues. These comics often serve to engage readers on a meta-level and add layers of depth to the storytelling.

Comic Books and Nostalgia

The nostalgia associated with comic books is a powerful nostalgia-inducing framework. Superboy and Impulse, two characters from the Silver Age, have the unique experience of reading their own comics and the comics of other heroes. In their original Silver Age incarnation, Barry Allen adopted the name The Flash because his favorite comic book hero was Jay Garrick, the Golden Age Flash. This intertextuality highlights how comic book heroes are deeply embedded in their own universe and the cultural fabric of their time.

Daredevil and Comic Books

Finally, a note on Daredevil. Being blind, Daredevil does not read comic books in the traditional sense. However, the idea of a blind superhero reading comic books is a symbol of the mental and emotional strength that superhero comics sometimes aspire to depict. For some, the act of reading comic books is a form of escapism and self-reflection that resonates with the non-seeing hero’s journey.

Conclusion

Superheroes’ comic reading habits reveal a lot about their characters and the rich narrative world of comic books. While superheroes may not read comic books in the same way we do, the self-referential and intertextual elements in their stories create a layered and engaging reading experience. Whether it’s navigating through issues of racial representation, dystopian futures, or personal and emotional journeys, comic books continue to be a vital medium for storytelling and fandom.