Posted at 8:25 a.m. - Wednesday, May 20
Rob Weiner is a 'pop-culture author and guru' as well as an associate humanities librarian for the Texas Tech University Libraries. He has recently released a book titled Captain America and the Struggle of the Superhero. Now, folks who know me know what a fan I am of the good Captain. A copy of the Treasury-sized Captain America's Bicentennial Battles by Jack Kirby made a significant impact on my life as a youngster, so my interest was piqued as to what Mr. Weiner had to say about the Sentinel of Liberty. He was kind enough to answer a few questions about his new book and comics in general for Geek To Me:
Geek To Me: Of all the heroes you decided to write about, what was it about Captain America that stood out?
Robert Weiner:
Captain America is ultimate superhero. He is not a government stooge
and he does what is right. He is not a “yes man” like Superman or
a fanatic like US Agent. He represents the best in humanity.
G2M: In your opinion, what was it about CA that helped him endure over the decades, as opposed to the other 'patriotic' heroes that were created during World War 2?
RW: I think the fact that Captain America represents the best of America is. He is the American Idea and represents what is positive about America and its history without being tied to a political party or ideology. Cap is not a Zealous go-getter. He is not trying to “convert” anyone, but represents the best traits of humanity, liberty, and freedom.
G2M: What do you think comic superheroes say in general about American society?
RW: Well I think it says we like to see the Good guys win. Despite everything else, I think Americans have an innate desire to see bad guys get caught and suffer. True Justice needs to be served.
G2M: Do you think that Captain America would be a different character if created today?
RW: I don’t think you could create a character like Cap today. It just would not work. There have been recent patriotic type characters and they just seem to me to be fanatical without any real substance.
G2M: In your opinion, how have comic books changed over the decades?
RW: Well, comics are darker than they used to be. Although comics from the 1940-early 1950s did deal with adult themes and ideas. You have to understand that comics were never ONLY just kiddie literature. I think, however, that sequential art as a storytelling medium has become very sophisticated and that is the main difference.
Much of what has been done in the past 20 years really is on par with any piece of literature/film/etc,, Just take a book/graphic novel like Moonshadow. It's as good as Tolstoy! Now we have classes on books like the Dark Knight, Maus, etc,, so the academy has finally gotten into it.
My goal with the book was to show how characters like Captain America can be studied as cultural icons. I wanted to up the ante on comic book scholarship to be perfectly frank. Dunno if I succeeded or not, but there are not many books out there like mine. Scholars from ALL different areas have come together to share their views and I hope that both the academic and CAP/comic book fan will find something useful out of it.
G2M: What is your opinion of the state of the comics industry in today's media age?
RW: Well, I do think it is a niche market for the floppy comic book, but graphic novel publishing is booming by leaps and bounds. It is the only area of publishing that seems to be growing year by year. More and more people are reading ALL kinds of graphic narrative books, not just superhero stuff. Barnes and Noble/Hastings etc., have BIG Graphic Novel displays.
Q: Were you a comic reader as a young person?
RW: Yes, I was. I read Silver Surfer (my other favorite), Legion of Superheroes, Moon Knight, Human Fly and my favorite the 3-D Man. I loved comics and still do.
[Author Robert Weiner - photo courtesy of the author]
Q: Do you read them today?
RW: Well, now that I am OVER 40, I am more into superheroes and sequential art storytelling than I ever was before. I guess I am true geek boy! But I have not gotten into gaming and that kind of thing.
G2M: Captain America was 'assassinated' and then 'replaced' by his former partner - and Cold War operative - Bucky 'The Winter Soldier' Barnes. What do you think about this change in the characters' status quo?
RW: I think it is a sign of the times. We live in a darker America and need a darker hero like Bucky. I originally thought it was a cheap shot to kill the warhorse Rogers, but it does make sense. In the post 9/11 world, I don’t think Rogers' innocence really fits, unfortunately.
[The NEW Captain America - design by Alex Ross]
G2M: Who do you think is the 'better' Captain America: Steve Rogers or Bucky Barnes?
RW: As much as LOVE Steve Rogers as Captain America as he is my favorite of all the characters, I don’t think they should bring back Rogers. Let Bucky take the mantel. I like the original Cap better of course, but there is a good reason why the recent Cap books are considered in the top ten best of pop culture. Let’s face it (Captain America writer) Ed Brubaker is one hellva of yarn spinner! He tells a good story and those books are good. I still think stories about the original Cap should still be written, but place them back in (previous) comic book time.
G2M: What do you think the impact of an actual 'super-soldier' like Captain America would have in the war effort during WW2?
RW: We would have kicked Hitler’s bootie, Cap would have liberated the Camps and there would not have been such a horrible Holocaust.
Q: What if we had a 'Captain America' today in Iraq? Afghanistan?
RW: I am not gonna touch this one with a ten foot pole.
G2M: LOL. Fair enough.
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You can order Captain America and the Struggle of the Superhero from McFarland Publishing or find it on Amazon.
