Outside the Beltway

Steamboat Willie is about to be ripe for exploitation.

The most important and controversial American diplomat of the postwar era is gone at 100.

The legendary comic book artist is gone at 80.

A very low-spoilers review.

The similarities are obvious. The differences are more important.

Does trash become treasure with time?

The damage done for Mickey Mouse in the name of Sony Bono is finally coming to an end.

Rest in Peace and Excelsior, Stan Lee!

By popular demand . . .

Rest in Peace, Lois Lane.

The new Black Panther movie raises a variant of the central question of the superhero genre. [No significant spoilers]

R.I.P., Caped Crusader

Adapting a relic of the 20th Century to the 21st Century.

The Laughing Gas Edition OTB Caption Contest^TM is now over.

The courts have been striking them down at a dizzying pace since June.

On screen body objectification is now equal opportunity.

Who was the better Superman: Christopher Reeve or Henry Cavill? Who was the better Batman: Michael Keaton or Christian Bale? Who was the better Spiderman: Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield?

Films from the House of Spiderman have grossed more than those from the House of Superman. But that’s mostly because of ticket price increases.

Superman’s famous shield changes from 1938 to present.

Today is the 75th anniversary of Superman.

An excellent essay by Adam Sternbergh “On the Enduring Appeal of ‘Die Hard.'”

Issue #700 marks the final issue of Amazing Spider-Man and Peter Parker’s run as that character. For now.

Most of the most popular superheroes in American comics are orphans. Coincidence or something else?

The constantly changing face of Superman, the iconic comic book superhero, over the 73 years since he debuted in Action Comics #1.

Jack Kirby’s heir are trying to posthumously renegotiate half-century old deals with Marvel.

Gene Weingarten is not a fan of journalists building a brand.

DC is once again resetting the clock on its universe and starting all its books over with issue #1.

Superman doesn’t hate America after all!

Superman will renounce his American citizenship!

A handful of young male bloggers have launched themselves to the head of the line, leapfrogging those who’ve spent years playing the game by the old rules.juice

DC schools superintendent Michelle Rhee has radically transformed the system for the better. Naturally, the teachers unions want her gone.

After 69 years fighting crime in a star-spangled bathing suit, Wonder Woman will get a super hero costume.

When I started collecting the books, back in early 1977, copies of Action #1 were available for something like $3500. 

Marvel Comics is releasing a special issue of Amazing Spider-Man #583 with Obama depicted on the cover.

The lead character of the new Marvel movie hasn’t received the pop-culture exposure of Superman, Batman, Spiderman, or the Hulk.

For universal icons, albeit fictional ones, to suddenly become partisan props is a bit sad.