"It's funny that you're dismissing manga as "some flash in the pan," Chad. Can't they have icons too? The "Gundam" series has been running, through several iterations, since 1979. And that's just one example."

You know, I'm sure there's a history, an artistry about manga. But no, there's no remote comparison between Superman and Gundam. Gundam, which I know nothing of, will inspire for over 70 years like Superman? It's probably not fair to compare.

It seems like everyone is, again, giving the kids too much credit, that they're paying with "their" wallets, "their" culture (laughter). Manga is part of the culture now, and as a huge LONE WOLF AND CUB fan (the films from the 60s anyway) I appreciate that they're history is valid and can be outstanding. Maybe. The kids are gravitating to a weightless fad, and it IS because the major iconic comics from the major companies are soulless, devoid caricatures. I'm thinking Marvel here, mostly. DC and Marvel are not committing themselves to great comics, they refuse to acknowledge that the fruit is rotting on the trees.

The comics I read are as poignant and meaningful to kids today as they were to me. Give any kid pre-teen even something like a NOVA comic and he'll be bouncing off the walls. Move up to the Big Icons and they'll ask countless questions about Spider-Man and Superman. Be prepared to have a blast explaining the rich history of these characters, which makes them all the more "real". Kids haven't changed, but the cynical automations who run the companies will tell you they have. Because these CEOs are incompetent boors who turn Luke Cage into a gang-banger because that's "contemporary" and will sell.

I don't blame Manga (which every time I say it or think it comes out like the pained screams of lovers on SNL for MANGO! Slap!) but the Big Two who've decided to throw up their skirts to Mango, or any film production no matter how ill-conceived (see FF, Punisher). Just sell out and watch the money roll in while not understanding that if they HAD an accessible all-ages comic to tie into these films, they'd develop a generational readership to carry them for the next ten years, easy. Instead, a rich tradition of comic book creation designed to appeal to young, new readers with unforgettable stories and art is being calcified into sophomoric tripe.

Of course children have changed, they're being exposed to all kinds of influences that just weren't around when we were in short pants! 

The internet alone offers the chance to expose children to suitable entertainment (and icons and heroes) from dozens of different cultures, I'm jealous of the lucky sods now that I think about it.

Well, their reactions haven't changed. Their reactions to superheroes and Godzilla and King Kong haven't changed. They will love them, and ALWAYS love them. And that's the power of real icons and that's what comics needs to take care of.

As far as the Internet, just because something's easier doesn't make it better. Kind of like Mango (slap!). I'd rather be the kid in the 7-11 trying to move those "buy 4 for a dollar!" comics around in their packing so I could see what was behind the face-out covers. I mean, I had to WORK. No click, click, click, click, oh look tits Internet access. Big deal. 

Astro Boy? So what? Who will talk about Astro Boy 70 years from now? Who will relate a great story about a planet-eating god, unstoppable, who is repelled by a family of unique people and an alien who makes a moral decision to choose life even though he is condemned to "death" for his act? Not the readers of Astro Boy, that's for sure. You're comparing apples to crap on a stick. (All right, I'm kidding about that. I'm sure AB is bad. Which when I was a kid meant good.)

Mango (slap!).