Thursday, February 3, 2011

Blog Assignment # 2

Many comic books fans are enraged since it was revealed that Captain America has always secretly been a Hydra agent. Given that Captain America was created by two Jewish Americans, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, and that in the comics, Hydra was the Nazi's secret weapon division, there is some understandable controversy. Read the full article and comment on the question below.

  • Do you think making Captain America a secret Nazi agent was in poor taste? Why or why not?

23 comments:

  1. Kristell Calderón PeláezAugust 21, 2016 at 2:08 PM

    Honestly, I have never read or not even seen any of those Marvel comics and movies, but for what I read in the article it seems that people are in shock for this change in the story, and I cannot blame them, because If Marvel already gave the profile of Captain America, a super hero, it is not easy to assimilate the fact that now is not a super hero any more but a secret agent of a terrorist organization. It´s really controversial that someone literally named Captain America now turns to support an organization that is all against America, and the reason that the creators give to this change is that it is an example of how “good people” can have horrible secret. So I think that this huge change was in really poor taste for all the readers and fans of Captain America.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lily Merced SantiagoSeptember 1, 2016 at 1:08 AM

    Everyone of us have a secret life but it's kind of creepy to have a super hero in a secret life such as nazi. It haven't been of my interest read or even watch this comic for me they are kind of boring so I can't say that much. Theres one thing I can say, and it's that if i'm going to place myself in those comic fans shoes it would have been hard to assimilate this kind of change in the whole story. I mean it would have been fine if he had any other secret life but a nazi secret agent? Thats weird, kind of like I do good but behind me i like doing bad. So what change in this world is Captain America supposed to do? Really marvel got a really poor taste on that' it didn't maked sense at all.

    ReplyDelete
  3. After reading the actual comic, this plot became as intriguing as anyone could wonder. When you’ve been a comic book fan for most of your life and part of your greatest examples were superheroes, you’ll understand why someone who’s greatly known in this society’s secret can affect many lives. Of course, it’s fiction; a character, but his impact was really unexpected. Nowadays, comic books base themselves on current events happening through real life. This is how fiction can interact with real life and how we can have a different experience with these long existing animations. The impact these stories take in our lives is because we’ve always used these characters to solve our problems and situations the way we imagine we would want that to happen and how their greatness makes our country or that person, as a citizen and a being with abnormal abilities, admiring & inspiring. In fact, many of these things usually impact lives not only because it’s someone we identify ourselves with, but because we see ourselves as that character and as powerful as they can be. It wouldn’t be a surprise that many people would think this is of poor taste or it wasn’t pleasuring. I consider it one of the best moves Marvel has made. Specially, when they have been committing very poor decisions these past few years, comic book wise.

    The story of a man who has the name of a country who always tries to be the good guy, saving lives and solving international issues (basically the United States in a human), turning to the wrong side, showing the world he’s not perfect and he has his secrets is one of the best things you could ask for. Especially when he turns to his nemesis for the greatest introduction of his dark side. I think this story, after Marvel’s “Secret Wars” event, has brought more life to what’s happening next in Captain America’s storyline and Marvel’s upcoming illustrated stories.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I definitely think that making Captain America a secret Nazi was in poor taste because as we all know the Nazis was a dictatorship that killed about 11 million included are Jewish people, children, and non-Jewish people. This tragic event was named one of the deadliest genocides in history. To know that Steve Rogers, Captain America would even consider to support the Nazis is almost mind blowing. Captain America is one of the most trusted heroes who fights for justice, freewill, morals, and about doing the right thing and to know that all this time he was part of Hydra. He is a traitor. He appears to be all about the good of others but truthfully he is somebody completely different. Many people and so many children are fans of Captain America, watch this movie but now I think that many people may be really confused and disappointed. Marvel must have a good reason to do this but only time can tell why. I think it could also be a way for Marvel to get people’s attention and give them the curiosity to read to see what this comic is all about. The article mentioned that it’s a story that’s compelling and captures the zeitgeist of the world. I’m pretty sure they’re doing this to help them in the business and to get everyone to read comics again. But I don’t think they considered enough how the audience would feel about such thing as this. I do think that involving Captain America in Hydra was a mistake in their part.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sincerely I have a long time that I do not see these films of Marvel, but I saw the first movie of Captain America that fought to save his country, to make Captain America a secret agent of the Nazi's can be offensive and distrust. Because if formerly captain America proved to be a character who helps his country, fighting against the enemy (Nazi’s) to save his nation, and then later you discover that in the reality was not so but secretly represents another character that is on the side of the enemies that surprises you. As the author says: “ it means on the most fundamental level that the most trusted hero in the Marvel universe is now secretly a deep-cover Hydra operative, a fact that’s really only known to the readers and to him. It will be not the same, because every interaction he has with anyone take on second meaning”(E. Dockterman, 2016) There should be a feeling of discontent at the idea that somebody like this can secretly be part of the enemy league. I think everyone wants to be treated with honesty and sincerely they prefer to hear the truth from the beginning. I think in this case this is the problem. Believing in someone and then discover they have some horrible secret it is like that you are being lied every time. For the fans of Steve Rogers, as the author says:” you should feel uneasy about the fact that everything you know and love about Steve Rogers can be upended” (E. Dockterman, 2016). In my opinion is better believe and trust in God than humankind as us!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alondra J. Ramírez PiñeroOctober 24, 2016 at 11:51 PM

    Well for starters I have never read any of this Marvel super heroes comics. I have seen the movies though I haven’t been paying so much attention to be able to catch up details like this mayor change in Captain America character. Captain America itself, isn't one of my favorite super heroes so it hasn't caught my attention that well, so that I could just seat there on my bed and watch the movie just because. I would have prefer another one. But its has been a great and different idea to add this twist to Captain America. Being a hero, but at the same time having a secret life, not like Superman for example from DC Comics. During the day he is Clark Kent a journalist for a newspaper, and a hero at night. We are talking about a whole new other level of craziness added to the plot that has been made over the past years. So honestly, I don’t think at all that this was a “poor taste” twist. It changes the original plot that has being established and it gives a new life to the character and series itself. Personally I will like to see more twists like this on the Marvel company.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alondra J. Ramirez PiñeroOctober 25, 2016 at 12:41 PM

    • Well for starters I have never read any of these Marvel super heroes comics. I have seen the movies though I haven’t been paying so much attention to be able to catch up details like this mayor change in Captain America character. Captain America itself, isn't one of my favorite super heroes so it hasn't caught my attention that well, so that I could just seat there on my bed and watch the movie just because. I would have preferred another one. But it has been a great and different idea to add this twist to Captain America. Being a hero, but at the same time having a secret life, not like Superman for example from DC Comics. During the day he is Clark Kent a journalist for a newspaper, and a hero at night. We are talking about a whole new other level of craziness added to the plot that has been made over the past years. So honestly, I don’t think at all that this was a “poor taste” twist. It changes the original plot that has being established and it gives a new life to the character and series itself. Personally I will like to see more twists like this on the Marvel Company.

    ReplyDelete
  8. In my opinion yes, i think it was poor taste. Mostly because the jewish suffered so much its sad. Captain America should be a super hero and not have a double life. Even though most of us today are living a double life. Although i understand why they did it. Probably was to capture more attention and to gain it fame. I think they could of gone a different route. Although, Marvel tends to have some messed up plots.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Okay, while I've yet to read any of these comics, I did hear about it online and went as far as to check it out. it isn't as bad as it sounds, really. I mean it is overly complicated and a lot of stuff doesn't make sense, but that's just part of the course with most comic books these days. Anyway, while the "twist" felt ridiculous, it kind of gets explained that it has more to do with this complicated situation where the world was "reset" for the twentieth time or something, and one of the changes made, was to the captain's memories. I don't think that it was a good story making decision, since it feels more like one of those "shock value" twists. So even if it got explained and isn't as poor in taste as we thought it was, I can't really see it as a good twist. But that's just my opinion.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nichole Ramos EstremeraNovember 20, 2016 at 3:07 PM

    Captain America, a symbol of American patriotism for 75 years, is actually just an undercover Nazi with Hydra, the organization he has been fighting against for decades, says Marvel Comics.This is not funny, Spenser. Not one bit. After all the build-up over the entire career of Captain America, you want to make him a nazi? I know this is just a comic book character, and that it's a plot twist to sell more merchandise, but it's a LOW twist to a long-revered story. Iger really got to you, didn't he? Is the extra money for bastardizing one of America's great fictional heroes worth the loss of your soul? I don't want to accept the change.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kiara Ramos MeléndezNovember 29, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    Captain America discloses in the issue that he is in fact a secret operative of the evil, formerly Nazi organization, Hydra. The dramatic twist happens right on the last page, as Captain America prepares to throw his supposed ally, Jack Flag, off an airplane, presumably to his death, and exclaims, “Hail Hydra!” pitched us the story as part and parcel of restoring Steve to his youth and vigor. In the comics, he’s been old for a while. The super soldier serum that was keeping him young had been broken down, so for the 75th anniversary, Nick had this notion that we were going to restore him. But then we went into this other story about Hydra, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Issue 2 kind of winds the clock back a little bit and lays out exactly how and why things are the way they are. And it lays out a roadmap for where things are headed in the future. At this point, I don’t want to say too much definitively because I want people to read the comic books. But people will be able to connect the dots and follow the trail of breadcrumbs. It means on the most fundamental level that the most trusted hero in the Marvel universe is now secretly a deep-cover Hydra operative, a fact that’s really only known to the readers and to him. That makes every interaction he has with anyone take on a second layer, a second meaning. In recent years, Captain America aged out of top fighting form, making way for a new generation or superheroes, like the Falcon. The new series launched by the latest issue magically restores his youthful looks and abilities. Despite the levity some have found in the dramatic reveal. Captain America, whose alter ego is Steve Rogers, is going to remain a secret Hydra operative, and the next issue will explore how he came to be a double-agent for the sinister organization. Some suggested the outrage over Captain America’s Nazi reveal is exaggerated. After all, this isn’t the first time Captain America has worked for Hydra, according to The Beat editor Heidi McDonald, and Kirby himself once drew the beloved superhero saluting Hitler.

    ReplyDelete
  12. First of all I’m not much of a superhero fan and I have never read a comic so I don’t know much about this character’s story. I think the readers and fans must be astonished by this, I know I certainly would. This changes the perspective we have about our hero greatly, it changes everything we thought about him and we might ask ourselves why is he like this? What happened to him? How could he fool us so easily? What I find most interesting is the fact that the writers were confident enough to go on with this huge twist in that character’s story. I certainly understand why some people might be mad about this, Nazi’s and alt-right and all that kind of stuff should not be taken lightly. This story just shows things that actually can happen and do happen all the time, people aren’t necessarily who you think they are. I’m not sure if it’s a good or a bad thing, I’m not a true fan so I think it’s for them to answer but I definitely think these kind of twists need to happen more often.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Camille Elise Colon RipollDecember 4, 2016 at 6:34 PM

    Do you think making Captain America a secret Nazi agent was in poor taste? Why or why not?

    Firstly, I would like to admit that haven’t read any of the marvel comics simply because I haven’t hit that stage yet. I will also admit, I’ve only seen the marvel movies, so I really don’t know how to answer and not offend marvel fans, but regarding the question I actually think it was in poor taste. The reason is because the character is called captain AMERICA, and well I think it should only represent America. The writer might be Jews, but like seriously, haven’t you heard what Hitler did to the Jews? I know you want a plot twist, but can you not write about someone who caused so much pain and devastation to the Jewish community? Why mess with people with such decision?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Growing up many people would have placed me under the category of being a nerd. I had glasses; baggy clothes, kept to myself, and loved comic books. Comic books provided a world within itself; a world that was filled with characters that I found myself rooting for from a young age; from the X-Men to Batman my nightly hours were filled with my imagination being tickled by the adventures I found within them. Captain America was one of these heroes; a kid from Brooklyn who embodied bravery in the face of danger in spite of having no abilities called out to the kid in me. Naturally upon hearing that a hero which I loved growing up had suddenly had the roots of his character changed for a gimmick to sell comics; I was annoyed so yes. It was in poor taste because it changes the very fabric of the character and not just any character but a character that has captured the spirit of a hero for many kids in many ages

    ReplyDelete
  15. i actually like the fact that he is a secret hydra agent and here's why. for one this is the first time that the holy grail of marvel comics is tampered with and i think it gives so much more depth to the stories that have to be re-visited because now we have to analyze his actions closely. there is so much of a back story now that marvel can spin off and intertwine with the current storyline perfectly. the funny thing is that people might jump to the conclusion that there isn't a pure "white knight" in the marvel universe but i think it humanizes the perfect being of Captian America. although it might strike a chord with history and but history i mean The Holocaust and its jewish fans then and now, but i think he has stepped in that greater good or great evil by any means necessary type of character.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lissette Fred Flores
    Well while I like super hero movies quite a bit, I don’t really read their comics or books related so I don’t know much about Captain America and know less about the Nazis. All I know is that Capitan America was a man whom had an experiment done on him and became war hero but that apparently, he was not American. Ok so I don’t know how truthful this is but I have heard that Capitan America was actually German and was in Germany around the same time of the war and everything that was going on with Hitler. On the other hand, all I know about the Nazis is that they were the followers of Adolf Hitler. If this is true then wow, he could be a secret Nazi agent and well if that’s the “real” story then why would it be of poor taste? I mean even if it wasn’t true, in my opinion I still think that adding a twist like this story can be a very entertaining factor. Not just that but the start of a complete new episode, movie, comic or even a new super hero. Wouldn’t that be something? At the same time I know that many people, may be so used to the original that they may become upset about something like this. I mean after seeing and knowing him as a hero and making him their ultimate all-time favorite superhero they will be disappointed. Who wouldn’t be after all the emotion lived thru his stories, all the money invested by someone out there on Capitan America items and paraphernalia come to find out he’s a traitor? Yep, sounds like some people will be complaining and arguing over this one.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Joseadan Collado ConsuegraDecember 5, 2016 at 10:27 AM

    To truly understand why many fans are in shock, and disbelief, we have to understand who captain America is, and what he stands for. Imagine a kid from New York, who gets bullied in everyday, wears glasses and is terrible at every sport known to man; someone who trips over their own feet, and has no idea what hand-eye coordination is. A character who embodies a regular kid, with no money and big dreams. Steve Rogers wanted to join the army but found himself being denied, mainly because of his short stature, sickly demeanor, and flimsy arms. Nonetheless, his desire drove him into the hands of General Chester Phillips, a General who was a part of operation rebirth. A secret operation with the intention of creating super soldiers for the war. Although, the treatment didn't give him super powers like flying for example, it pushed his strength, endurance, speed, reflexes and healing to highest point humanly possible, thus becoming a super soldier. Captain America's betrayal to his country and to his most core believes hits home for a lot of readers. A part of the reader identifies with captain America and his desire to do right; he becomes a role-model, although fictional. Therefore, such betrayal hurts the reader, Captain America was a symbol of patriotism, from his clothing to his actions. In my opinion, yes, it was poor taste. As state above, Captain America, is the fictional representation of hope and I believe they should have left him as just that.

    ReplyDelete
  18. David A. Corrales BerumenDecember 5, 2016 at 12:59 PM

    Ever since I was a kid I’ve been amused by super heroes and comics, I remember as a child I would dress up Spiderman since he was my favorite. As I kept on getting older I started to get more into the comics, and even though I love the Marvel movies, they will never get better than the actual comic stories. When I first saw the big scandal pictures about Captain America saying “Hail Hydra”, it was a big shocker since Captain America is one of the noblest heroes, this is emphasized when he is one of the few people to be able to lift Thor’s hammer, proving his worthiness and nobility. Everything was revealed after reading the story, turns out Captain America was being played by Kobik, this girl (cosmic cube) had changed Steve Rogers memories. Unlike most people I didn’t think it was poor taste, I saw it as a thrill and an exciting opportunity to draw people in and make a great story. However, what I did see as poor taste was Marvel coming out with this comic just for the sole purpose of stealing DC’s spotlight, considering the fact DC at that point was having great sells.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jasmine Campos LongoriaDecember 5, 2016 at 3:23 PM

    Do you think making Captain America a secret nazi agent was I poor taste? Why or why not?
    I have never been much of a super hero fan, so personally it doesn't matter to me. But if I had to really understand others and about Captain America, then I would have to say that it really was in poor taste to make him a secret nazi agent. Why? Because that's just changing the character as a whole. Everything that was known of him is basically not even fundamental. It's like messing with people, because then It means… that he's evil. Everyone who looked up to him as a superhero probably feels played in knowing that it was all a cover up. I don't think it's a gimmick because it's apparently something that has taken time to plan and also it says in the article that there are clues in the previous comics that you can find that add up to this. I know I would hate it if one of my favorite characters from any movie or book turned out to be completely different.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Cristian Carrero MedinaDecember 5, 2016 at 4:09 PM

    Do you think making Captain America a secret Nazi agent was in poor taste? Why or why not?

    Personally i have never had the interest of comics and stuff like that. The only things that i know about Captain America and other characters are the things that i understand from the movies. But after reading the article we know that there's a big twist of his story because of the Nazi part. It makes that everything that we know about him, changes. I think that there's a lot of people that feels concerned about that detail or stuff like that. Personally i respect what others have to said about it, but personally i don't care that much. Answering the question about if it is poor taste, yes. I think that his been a secret Nazi agent, using as a uniform the United States flag, it's a poor taste decision. That symbolizes a patriotic superhero that it’s a Nazi agent. It’s not rare to saw a twist in the story of a superhero. We can think that there’s people that can get offended or something like that because of that twist. They describe it pretty well and it’s easy to understand were the twist came up. So all the fans of Captain America there’s some new information to make it more interesting for them. Know they had to find another ways that Captain America is link to other kind of governor and politics.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hugo C. Gregorio BustosDecember 5, 2016 at 4:11 PM

    It’s been an interesting 24 hours in mainstream comics. Both Marvel and DC have made massive changes to big parts of their respective universes, and the comics internet is still reeling from both. Neither change has gone down particularly well—with many readers crying foul over what they perceive as an intentional misdirect or a cheap gimmick—but both tell us an awful lot about the tensions inherent in writing mainstream comics right now. Let’s start with the Star-Spangled Man with the, it now seems, Insidious Plan. Captain America relaunched yesterday, with a new issue #1 and a new creative team. Jesus Saiz’s artwork has been some of the most consistently impressive in the industry for over a decade; Nick Spencer’s massive ambition and intricate plotting has marked him out as one of the best of the new wave of writers. This is very close to a creative dream team, and it shows: The art is brawny, clean, and expressive, and the script is well-designed and neatly expands Cap’s world. Steve Rogers was, for some time, aged to the point where he couldn’t serve as Captain America anymore and handed the shield off to everyone’s favorite pararescue specialist, Sam Wilson. Now de-aged, Steve is back in the field next to Sam and fellow superheroes Jack Flag and Free Spirit. This is a really smart call because not only does it not undercut SamCap (who’s GREAT, by the way), but it also makes Captain America more of an idea than an individual. Seeing the paragon of virtue represented not by one man, but by a diverse group, is smart and, honestly, pretty inspiring. Which is why the ending is so shocking.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Ricardo J. Roman CastroDecember 5, 2016 at 9:22 PM

    They try to make a impact on must and they did, but making Cap. America a secret Nazi angent whas a bit dull and a bit boring because it copying other comics and movies. bit antiquated in my opinion, but if i'm right that was vallian copying Cap. America

    ReplyDelete
  23. Daniel Robles BarriosDecember 5, 2016 at 9:56 PM

    If they do this I am going to be very mad because I like a lot of the marvel movies, in fact they are my favorites and up to now they haven’t disappoint me, but thinking that Captain America is a Hydra spy is crazy. I hope they don’t do this because then I am going to be very disappointing and sad. I don’t know if they will fix it later but the way this looks, I actually don’t like it and I know is an impressive twist but it doesn’t make sense. I actually don’t want to write anting more because know that Captain America will become one of the bad guys isn’t on my imagination.

    ReplyDelete

Sorry, no more blog entries will be accepted.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.