"Deaths" should stop being considered a key issue... 3 3

[rfhbv100]

It annoys me terribly that, in the modern era, every other comic book carries the loud title of "KEY ISSUE. The reason for this is the simple death of some character.

I'm well aware that the definition of a key issue was invented in the last century. And back then "key death" made sense. I think you know why. But now, with characters dying and being reborn on a regular basis, all these key deaths look very ludicrous. 

Yes, when a character died in the Silver and Bronze Ages, it really meant his death and it had to be immortalized as a "key issue" since the character never came back (yes, I'm sure there are many exceptions for the Silver Age as well, but let's pretend my argument works). But now...now it all looks like the most standard part of the -script, not some story that needs to be immortalized on a label and written everywhere that it's a key issue.

As cool as ASM #121 was, I can't even see it as a full key issue. semi-key issue at most. And I don't take other of the "key" deaths for anything important at all.

Is there any alternative viewpoint regarding key deaths? I'd be very happy to hear from you.

[ADAMANTIUM]

How about "first death?" Would that constitute anything?

[rfhbv100]

On 6/24/2023 at 8:29 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

How about "first death?" Would that constitute anything?

Sounds like the most mocking but fair joke on the comic book industry

[ADAMANTIUM]

On 6/24/2023 at 12:33 PM, rfhbv100 said:

Sounds like the most mocking but fair joke on the comic book industry

ya  one of those "I get it, but I'm dead serious"  

I get your point though haha, I never thought of them as "key" too much myself, but I own a couple; however, would struggle to "defend" them.

I like the death of sabretooth as it is a homage cover with the variant, of a pretty classic cover. I'm not sure what else death I have, I have the ASM you mention, but only in midgrade to "own" copies.

I don't really collect any "lady death" for the same reason  

[Jeffro.]

On 6/24/2023 at 1:29 PM, ADAMANTIUM said:

How about "first death?" Would that constitute anything?

Why stop there? Let's have "Cameo or Brief First Death " and then "Full Appearance First Death" because [sarcasm] that approach sure hasn't led to controversy amongst collectors when it comes to character first appearances. [/sarcasm]

Then we have First Resurrection (brief/cameo, full)

Then Second Death (brief/cameo, full)

I think I'm on to something here. Either that or I'm having an aneurysm.

 

 

[ADAMANTIUM]

I get that feeling a lot, when it comes to niches and such, I have to also remember that even CGC is a "niche within the hobby!"  

[CAHokie]

When Gwen died I thought that was huge. Then they messed up everything about her to the point I had to pretend those later issues never happened. Then they messed it up more with multi-verses. 
 

Even when Kraven died, I thought that was big as a kid. Of course they couldn’t leave it alone.

[Poutine]

Actual death that nobody cares about vs a death that actually happened and snowballed out of control with ghosts and possessions and other stuff I can't explain 

 

[D2]

I know what you are saying, but you’re also letting new events effect the old, and I don’t know if I agree with that. 
 

As an example, I was a huge fan of Batman ‘89, as I’m sure a lot of people were of my generation. When Batman Returns came out, it wasn’t nearly as impactful, and Batman Forever changed the direction and Batman And Robin tried to bury the franchise. 

My point is, I used to allow the sequels to taint and stain my feelings for the original. I felt like what I had, was ruined. 

Now, I am just thankful for what I got, because I can see how rare a good thing is. 

[wombat]

I just assume everyone uses their own definition of what a key issue is. You don't have to listen to anyone else. 

[Ken Aldred]

A death notation in comics should be more accurately described as ‘temporary hiatus’ or ‘rest period’.

Because that’s all it is.

Oblivion has been shrugged off as a minor, transient inconvenience in the medium far too often to associate and to feel any degrees of tension and sorrowful gravity with it.

Cry Wolf, too many times for believability.

Edited June 25, 2023 by Ken Aldred

[Ride the Tiger]

If the so called "key death issue" was no longer included on the CGC label, but the value of the book remained the same, would the OP be satisfied?

[THE_BEYONDER]

 

Death of Gwen will always be key

RIP ❤️

[Juno Beach]

On 6/25/2023 at 2:06 PM, THE_BEYONDER said:

 

Death of Gwen will always be key

RIP ❤️

And that Gwen did indeed stay dead. Spider-Gwen/Ghost Spider Gwen Stacey is not the same character and doesn't share a history with Peter Parker (616) 

[mephistopheles]

I still remember buying this when it was first released:

It was HUGE at the time.

 

But I agree deaths are just a gimmick in most modern books. And don't even get me started on multiverses, alternate timelines etc...

[ADAMANTIUM]

I blame the 1st flash race.

 

[ganni]

The Death of Jor-El and Lara-Van  will always be a key issue.

The Death of Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne.

The Death of Uncle Ben.

These key issues will always be key issues.

[Telegan]

Still one of my favorite covers (and I love Skottie Young art).  You know it's "comic"al when they mock it themselves :

 

[rumrunner71]

At this point in comics, it might be more significant if a character lasts a few years NOT getting killed off temporarily

[CAHokie]

I wonder which character has had the most deaths?