Spider-Man is being haunted by his past. Unfortunately, I am not talking about Kindred, the mysterious demonic figure who has been interminably teasing a reveal In the book since the beginning. Or rather, not only about Kindred, but writer Nick Spencer’s fascination with stories from Spider-Man’s past. From the start Spencer sprinkled his series with references to old stories, in particular his first issue held several references to the events of the still-controversial, decade old One More Da

The X-Men are confronting in stark and graphic ways the culture of violence and the way our world has grown numb to that violence. We adapt to it. We scar and heal and scar again. But there are moments the weight falls upon us. We must confront the world as it is, and not grow numb to the zealots who murder and persecute those who are different. It goes beyond an often faulty metaphor for minorities–there is a generation now decimated by two endless wars abroad and traumatized by random and senseless violence at home, perpetrated by individuals who feel they do not have what they deserve.

The start of Morrison’s Batman run proper opens with perhaps one of the best opening scenes I’ve ever encountered in a superhero comic. Commisioner Gordon falling from a great height, a Joker grin plastered over his face—instantly channeling classic, iconic imagery from the Batman mythos. Then we turn the page and we are greeted to one of the best uses of a two-page splash page I can think of. Joker, laughing insanely over the dying body of Batman, while a group of children scream in terror, tied up to a Joker-faced helicopter. “I did it!” cries the Joker, “I finally killed Batman! In front of a bunch of vulnerable, disabled KIDS!!!” That certainly sums up the Joker in one page, doesn’t it?

The following is  adapted from a paper I wrote during my grad studies, the one I mentioned a few days ago. I felt it was worth posting. A little lengthy, so it’s under the cut. Superman has been a huge part of my life, and continues to be profoundly important to me. This paper was an exercise in expressing a little of why.

Find yourself having trouble getting into the holiday spirit? Something missing in your life this Christmas season? This sounds like a job for Superman. And Batman. And the Martian Manhunter. Because nobody demanded it, I’m going to run down for you fine folks the antidote to this year’s Scrooge Blues and give you the lowdown on what the DC Animated Universe has to offer your eyeballs and cold, cold hearts. Like Batman throwing a cup of scalding hot chicken soup at your face, this cup of DC Holi