A few questions about politics in comics:
What about Vietnam? I don't know a ton about mainstream stuff, but weren't there a few characters that were supposed to be vets?
What about feminist comics?
Dr. Phil touched on gay politics a little with his story about the anthology devoted to blocking that terrible anti-gay bill, but I'd love to hear more.
I'd also love to hear more about comics used as propaganda.
I'm not sure about the characters-as-veterans thing (though the Punisher is, which isn't worth much as far as politics go) but Marvel did put out an excellent series called
The 'Nam in the late '80s-early '90s. For a mainstream media company they did a remarkable job of not being partisan -- it's not an anti-war comic and not a hawkish propaganda comic, but just a well-written story about soldiers dealing with what they dealt with. Gorgeous Michael Golden art, too -- I can still remember specific panels even though I haphazardly read the issues. Golden (and the comic) is that good. If you want to jump in they released a TPB of the first story arc a few years ago and I don't know what else they've done with it since.
Not sure about the other topics you mention aside from propaganda comics -- Fred's mentions on the show are just the tip of the iceberg. More recently there was the annoying onslaught of hawkish comics after 9-11, and then the mildly annoying never-finished series of "peace comics" that Marvel put out prior to the Iraq War called
411. Very poorly done comics in there but some bright spots, too, particularly by those Croatian guys whose names I can never pronounce or remember (Danijel Zejeljezevb-something and Marco something?).
Captain America, as a character, has had a few bouts of serious politics. I don't know why it isn't more revered, but John Ney Reiber's run that opened the current series struck me as the most complex use of the character in a political setting. He had destroyed a terrorist cell, revealed his identity, and then was a fugitive from the government. I forget exactly why but it was edge-of-your-seat political comics.
Speaking of Cap, there was Kyle Baker's (and I forget the name of the writer) amazing story, "Truth" which imagined that the real-life experiments with syphilis that the government performed on African Americans was, in the Marvel Universe, Cap's Super Soldier serum. One of the experimental subjects survives and becomes the first Captain America, a black Captain America -- a "in-continuity" story that seems to be largely forgotten.
And Kyle Baker illustrated my favorite political comic,
Birth of a Nation, about the city of East St. Louis seceding from the Union to form "The Republic of Blackland." Spot-on race issues stuff that makes you laugh, to boot.
God I can keep going forever! Dammit, Charlito, next time just run your set list by me before you go on the air!! (Kidding -- awesome episode, guys.)
I just wanted to thank Fred Van Lente for hipping me to Joe Simon's "Prez"... You see, I recently read through the Sandman trades and one of them has that Mike Allred Prez issue, which just seemed like the most oddball out of left field thing ever. And it's still the most oddball out of left field thing ever, but at least now I'm able to shake that "I must be missing something here" feeling. Might have to go check some of those older Prez issues out.
I second the thanks to Fred for the mention. I truly love the original
Prez (the Vertigo reimaginings sapped all the charm, in my opinion). It's bonkers. He has a Native American VP in full stereotypical Indian dress with the feathers and all and the comics had crazy shit like werewolves and vampires. I'm really thankful for this comic!
This post has been edited by JP Hootiger: 23 November 2008 - 03:27 AM
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my first SPX was a blast and i plan on attending next year. i say we do the road trip again! this time, we have to find a Chik-Fil-A!!! 
Obama yea!!! Dumbass Grandpa McCain can just remain cranky for Arizona & not for every state of the union. 
