Living Between Wednesdays: Wasn't Red Still Available?

Monday, March 17, 2008

Wasn't Red Still Available?

I'm just going to say it...Captain America: White is a poorly thought-out title.

You know who wouldn't like that title?

9 comments:

Jeff said...: With Loeb saying that the title has a meaning connected to the story, I get the feeling that it's going to be about racism, and - as long as Loeb doesn't make Cap a white supremacist - I don't know if that's a horribly offensive idea.

Really, why not do Captain America: Red, White, and Blue? That would be a clever subversion of the Loeb/Sale formula, and it wouldn't sound socially awkward!; 10:02 a.m.
Tiina said...: What not forget the whole colour thing and do 'Captain America: Fat'. Or 'Captain America: Australia'. 'Captain America: Band Camp'?; 1:41 p.m.
The Ancient One said...: I'm guessing that the racial overtones of the word "white" are intentional, and that racial issues will be a part of the story.; 6:09 p.m.
Kevin said...: The title kinda says "RACIAL ISSUES," but all I hear is. . .

. . . Cap/Falcon team-up!; 8:43 p.m.
Anonymous said...: I would totally buy a book called "Captain America: Band Camp".; 12:50 p.m.
Rich said...: Jeff, Captain America: Red, White, and Blue came out in 2002.

And I agree that this name immediately brought to mind the Truth series.; 8:25 p.m.
Greg said...: Was I the only one who thought of white more literally? In 1777, an act of the Continental Congress described the meanings of the three colors signifying the United States as follows:

'White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue . . . signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.'

White could as easily be in reference to innocence as it could to (rather inaccurate) racial terminology.; 11:00 p.m.
chrishaley said...: Way back when Loeb/Sale did "Hulk : Gray" and said in an interview with Wizard or somewhere that they'd like to do a Cap one some day, I thought the title would of course be "Captain America : Green".
The "Daredevil : Yellow" title was talking about his costume being yellow.
Then "Spider-Man : Blue" was about how Pete was feeling.
"Hulk : Gray" was about when the Hulk was gray.
Since all of these books were taking place in the early days of the characters' careers and to fit the seeming pattern of how these books were titled, I thought "green" meaning inexperienced would make perfect sense.
I guess that's why Marvel's not paying me the big bucks.; 5:54 p.m.
Unknown said...: THANK YOU! (for saying this)

Goddamn Captain America: White my ass...

...

Jeffy: It hadn't occurred to me that there would be racial issues discussed. I hope you are right, dude, I do, but I've read issue 0 and guess what...no racial discussion I've read interviews with Loeb and Sale, no racial discussion. Also I've read episode 0, and no racial discussion. It's far more likely (in my mind) that the book is referring to the fact that Steve is white. Sort of a taking back Captain America for the white people (after Truth came out/the comics where the Black Panther kicked his butt [Loeb fixed that one too in the ultimate Cap annual he has a big panel with Cap saying "You're good, but I'm better" after kicking T'Challa's ass]), as if y'all had ever really lost him. (I don't even think the Falcon will be in it.)

So, yeah. I do hope there will be some discussion of racial issues for the title's sake, but...at the same time it's a mixed bag, as I think Loeb would be mistaken to think he's any good at discussing racial issues. Lookie here:

http://jephloebmustdie.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/superman-1794thletternet/

Now that's some awkward racial issues!; 7:40 a.m.