This idea about the influence of MLK and Malcolm X on Stan Lee's creation of the mutant leaders in X-Men comics has been circulating on the interwebz for years now. Amusingly, I even saw it mentioned in a short film recently. So I decided that it was finally time for Professor XXL to weigh in on whether or not this one is fact or fiction. Oh, but do know that I've known the answer all along. And now you–if you don't know already–will, too. You can check out the essay by clicking here.
UM...HOW DID THIS HAPPEN, AND HOW AM I JUST LEARNING ABOUT IT?!?!
Despite my not owning any records, CDs or even a single mp3 track by the legendary rock group KISS, I still have a soft spot for 'em that dates back to my days as a lil' crumb snatcher. This is mainly because–aside from their super cool-looking visuals and superhero-like alter egos–the band had a series of toys made in their image (by MEGO), and a comic book published by Marvel (Marvel Comics Super Special #1, 1977).
In addition to that serious soft spot for KISS, I have a fanatical love of anime that dates back to childhood. I've mentioned before how old school Japanese import TV 'toons like Prince Planet, Speed Racer, Starblazers, Battle of the Planets, Captain Harlock and others helped make me into the big ol' otaku that I am today.
Well, the video for "Yume no Ukiyo ni Saite Mi na" ("Try to Bloom in a Dream About the Floating World") is giving me all the feels. The idol group Momoiro Clover Z did this rockin' lil ditty as a collabo with KISS back in 2015. I didn't know anything about it, though, until 10 or so minutes ago. So I'm postin' it here, cuz I know I'm not alone.
And no, it's not subtitled in English. Deal widdit.
Incredible Hulk issue 197 (March 1976). Cover by Bernie Wrightson.
One of the great things about comics is that somehow–even having lived through the Bronze Age–there's still so many cool books that I've never even seen. Wow.
