This isn’t new territory by any stretch, but just for fun let’s count some superhero resurrections (nope, not an inclusive list). On the DC side: Superman; Barry Allen/Flash; Hal Jordan/Green Lantern (though he never really went away); Supergirl; Green Arrow; Jason Todd; Batman (in process). On the Marvel side: Jean Grey; Captain America (in process); Bucky; Hawkeye. There are likely examples to be found in Image and Dark Horse too, though I’m not as well versed in those particular realities. That’s death in the comics — we all have come to accept and even expect it. Enter Invincible #63.

Robert Kirkrman’s strong stories and characters have earned a well-deserved devoted readership. And he’s earned something else from that group: respect. Invincible #63 ends with the gleefully murderous Viltrumite named Conquest delivering a lethal blow to beloved heroine (and Invincible’s on-again love interest) Atom Eve. Fast forward to the letters page in Invincible #65, which Mr. Kirkman answers himself. Nearly every letter was dripping with anger or grief. One warned Kirkman that he would regret Eve’s death in the years to come when she wouldn’t be available for future stories. One declared that he’d stop reading after #64. Nowhere was a letter that said, “When do you think she’ll be back?” or “Bah, heroes never die. Nothing to see here, move along.” This was a huge deal and a complete surprise to readers, and clearly Robert Kirkman has given his readers the impression that not only is he capable of killing major characters, but any such deaths will be permanent. He doesn’t have to live or write by that rule himself; the important part is that we, the readers, believe that’s the rule he lives by. Seems to me this makes Mr. Kirkman darn powerful. And with great power…

ComicCritique.Com’s private email list was unusually active today as we shared and discussed the news of Disney’s purchase of Marvel Entertainment, which seems to have taken much of the business world and certainly popculturedom by surprise. Our compadre Ian jotted some early thoughts in his blog over at PopMatters. Sure, sure, it’ll end up being just fine in the end, but for the moment I really enjoy that people everywhere are talking about Iron Man and Spidey.