Brat Pack: Exploitation For Fun And Profit

[@DoctorInk20]

This was truly the *punk rock era of American superhero comics.* For better or for worse. This is something that's often occured me; just how *sadistic* superhero comics have become. I feel that comes from the _strange audience shift_ in the early to mid-'80s from children and young teens to effectively adults. *Current Batman* embodies it perfectly: _An unending cycle of anger and madness, where nothing gets better, villains are reduced to violent monsters with zero nuance or sympathy and the morality sits in a dark grey blot. All because of an audience craving blood and misery for morbid 'entertainment'._ The *"This is what you wanted, right?"* method of satire is great, but alas, it becomes rather ironic when these works that were designed to *discourage* exploitive, grim and cynical versions of superheroes, e.g. _Watchmen, Dark Knight Returns, Brat Pack,_ end up promoting more of it to be made by people who didn't understand it. They _relish_ the horror rather than feel disgusted by it. I find that rather sad as superheroes begin to fade from their original optimistic purpose.

[@juliagoodwin9510]

I know right? I read comics for the escapism, _I don't need this_ !

[@DoctorInk20]

@@juliagoodwin9510 Agreed! I want to forget about the real world for a while! Gimme some fantasy, *DC!* This why I stopped buying new superhero comics and media: There's just too much grit between the visuals and the writing. You couldn't even show these to an 8 year old and that feels so... wrong. * Even when I was younger, there were then-recent Batman comics in the early 2000s that just put me off *DC* for years. Even I, as an 9 or 10 year-old, thought _"I probably _*_shouldn't_*_ be reading these."_ Then I discovered the comics from the 1970s/early 80s. *The Bronze Age of DC* was a lovely time. Fun, full of adventure, but they had _stakes_ that got you emotionally invested. Sorry, this got a bit ranty. 😆 * So wrong, yet DC still marketed _Batman V Superman_ toys to children, despite that no sensible parent would let anyone under 15 _see_ that piece of rubbish.

[@juliagoodwin9510]

@@DoctorInk20 N'ah, it's fine, I totally agee. Squirrel Girl said it best: "Maybe it's just me... but I'm not crazy about super hero stories where everything's all dark and moody. Personally, I like the ones where good guys fight giant apes on the moon. Remember those?"

[@DoctorInk20]

@@juliagoodwin9510 "I do. That was back when comic book worlds were places you wanted to escape to... Not from." That's got to be my favourite quote from any comic ever. 😁 I actually reference that frequently, regarding this subject. _The Great Lakes Avengers_ do not get remotely enough attention. Just throwing that out there. Seriously though, that speech alone is more _damning_ of the current comics industry than any elaborately thought-out satire. Squirrel Girl makes such a *good* reflective character by being such a sweet cinnamon roll. 😁

[@juliagoodwin9510]

@@DoctorInk20 Honestly, I'm sick and tired of Reality interfering with my escapist fantasies. "I reject your reality and substitute my own!" -Adam Savage (Yes, I know Adam was probably referring to the old movie "The Dungeon Master". I think he said it better is all.)

[@ericd.5206]

If anyone does want to invest the time in a deeper examination of Brat Pack, Veitch, comic book history and the trajectory of the "sidekick" in comics, I'd suggest giving Stephen Bissette's book Teen Angels & New Mutants a read. It's a thoughtful and insightful examination of the work that digs deep into comic book history, the representation of "teens" in cinema and Veitch's unique career trajectory that would lead him to the creation of King Hell Heroica. I highly recommend it.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I was hoping to find a copy of that book when preparing a rewrite of this script. Unfortunately, I did not. But I have no problem endorsing Mr. Bissette's work unseen.

[@ericd.5206]

@@StrangeBrainParts Rereading my comment, I think it might have come off as a condemnation of your video, which it was not meant to be, at all (ie. - you didn't dig deep enough in your overview). Your work is extremely thoughtful, insightful and well presented and I eagerly anticipate each video you release. Just wanted to clarify. :)

[@StrangeBrainParts]

No worries! And thank you for clarifying. I didn't take it as a condemnation whatsoever. It read more like a suggestion of further reading for those interested in the topic.

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

I felt for Alan Moore’s take on teens sidekicks in Top 10 to be just right. I think so much has been talked about this subject in forums outside of comics, that it doesn’t need a huge operatic examination.

[@Frogman1212]

One of the true "essential" stories. There are some conflicts in art that can just never be resolved. Inherent paradoxes that kinda tear the whole thing apart. Like Jack Kirby said "comics will break your heart kid." It does weigh on my mind.

[@ryaneasterling1556]

Comics like this and the Boys and similar titles are always to much in my mind, I understand what their saying and even agree with most of it but at a certain point I feel like they go to far and become very difficult to read. I am fine with hard core and mature stories but it starts to get to be borderline torture porn about characters I don't like and the stories don't go anywhere so I see little reason to keep reading them. Additionally while there are examples of comics with exploitations and what not, there are also good stories written by talented people and works like this seem to damn the good and the bad together. Great video as always, love your work

[@nerdfatha]

I very much get what you mean. The Boys got its point across in the first story arc and then just kept amping up the edgy violence until I couldn't care any more. The TV series has somehow kept me enthralled I think due to the tweaks they have made and actually having compelling storylines. I'm able to stomach Brat Pack because, despite being more vicious, more offensive, and having even more deplorable characters, its over quickly. Its 5 issues. It's a spear of satire vs The Boys' pointy splintery stick.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I agree with you, nerdfatha. The Boys is roughly 80-something issues of edgy material that makes the same point over and over again. Brat Pack does it in five issues and says a whole lot more about both the industry and the genre. As does the original Marshal Law.

[@nerdfatha]

@@StrangeBrainParts I really need to pick up Marshal Law. It has been on my list for a while now and I should put in the effort to hunt it down.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@nerdfatha I highly recommend the first miniseries, Fear & Loathing. After that, I think it gets a bit ridiculous. But the first miniseries is gold.

[@juliagoodwin9510]

Agreed, I understand what the writer is getting at... but I don't want to feel bad for enjoying superhero comics. I just want some escapism, damn it!

[@biobaby7094]

Dr. Blasphemy's design is a serious inspiration for my art and character design. I'm glad that you actually covered it.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I mean, it's a genius level of design. It's hard not to notice it.

[@TwilightBinder]

So if comic book fans are scumbags for enjoying the struggles of captain bedsheets, what's that say about soap opera 's audience?

[@CinemaSeven]

This reads like the most nineties comic the nineties ever ninetied.

[@markuscriticus8278]

I wish people talked more about Maximortal, almost nobody remembers that.

[@juliagoodwin9510]

As much as I like deconstructions, with superhero comics, I'm kinda sick of them. I just want to enjoy some escapist entertainment, damn it! I don't want to feel bad for enjoying superhero stories!

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

These days, it's harder to escape from the ubiquitous escapism.

[@TheMagnificentMongoSlade]

I'm sick of stuff like this and The Boys.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Nor should you ever feel bad for liking what you like! There's absolutely nothing wrong with straight up escapism.

[@juliagoodwin9510]

@@StrangeBrainParts Thanks. I just want to enjoy things without feeling bad for it, but I've had too many things I've liked in the past ruined by reality....

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@Julia Goodwin I always say like what you like. Hmm. Maybe I should think about doing a video where the topic is just good stories. Just good escapism. I may have to think about that one.

[@michaelhegwood9977]

While the background of this story is interesting, the only thing this comic has is some decent designs there really isn't anything to this story. It's not disturbing, it's just shock value and once you get over that the story becomes kind of laughable especially with how many "Deconstrutions" of superhero stories are out now. But this series biggest flaw is that I don't know how to explain to the series that by making superhero mega racist homicidal predators isn't deconstructing a superhero it's just making a supervillain. I think the Ventrue Bros (Especially in the later season) has the best version of a public hero who is secretly monstrous and abusive while being a stand-in for a celebrity, Jonas Venture isn't some over the top caricature of a villain, he's an abusive manipulative ego-manic but is still a human.

[@robling1937]

This video is a stunning reminder of why you're my favorite comic reviewer on youtube. I've never heard of this, but best believe it's on the list now.

[@paulnash9851]

Yet another of my comments pleading with you to cover CONCRETE. It’s a severely overlooked gem.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I agree! I will dig out what I have and do a read-through very soon.

[@rigopeligro]

A lot of my obscure comics I have bought because of this channel. Brat pack will now be added to my list. Today’s pc culture makes me really appreciate comics with grit to them. My mind is still blown with Veitch’s script where swamp thing was the cross that Jesus was crucified on? Dude....that’s heavy.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Good to hear! I hope you've enjoyed the more obscure work I've mentioned.

[@blackphoenix77]

I was able to get all the issues of Brat Pack from my comic book store's quarter bin a few years ago; great find.

[@pauljohnson271]

Please, sir, never quit. Your work is amazing.

[@jor-elrand6137]

Glad you reviewed this. Comic tropes reviewed on his channel but I never got a chance to see it.

[@javib2978]

The idea of replacing dead sidekick heroes was used in Brat Pack. Before X-Statix came up with the idea. Brat Pack basically influenced X-Statix.

[@remi5844]

Another great video. This comic may not be my favorite but its stuck with me ever since I read it as a kid. Thank you!

[@TheNovaimmortal]

Only a few people talk about this series. Glad you made a vid on it.

[@ottosixtysix8546]

Thank you. For another highly entertaining review on a series that is not for the faint of heart. Over the years I never knew if I had all of the issues related to this series. Looks like I'm 2 short.

[@carlosangel3647]

Great video! I truly value the information you're sharing here and I know for sure I'm not reading Brat Pack anytime soon. I think is too hardcore for me. Thank you ;-)

[@StrangeBrainParts]

It is quite hardcore and not to everyone's tastes.

[@carlosangel3647]

@@StrangeBrainParts I had just recently watched the first episode of the animated adaptation of Kirkman's Invincible and the over-the -top gore and violence was too much for me. So now I know I have a limit when it comes to Hard-core media, and as much as I would like to consume it, I know now it would scar my brain in an unpleasant way. By the way, can I recommend you make a video about Robert Kirkman's work. I think his work Invincible is going to be trending an the next few months so a video about Invincible could definitely bring more traffic to your channel. I love your work and I would love to see you have more subscribers. Any how, is just a thought, keep up the great work and thanks again. :-)

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Thank you for the suggestion. I have thought of tackling Invincible, to be honest. Not to mention, I've read most of it. So, that may be something to get to sooner rather than later.

[@SkaerKrow]

You showcase some very interesting, obscure stuff. Thanks for that.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

You're welcome! Thank you for watching.

[@juniorjames7076]

Can you do a retrospective the art and writing of Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo's Batman and the Outsiders and it's many many reboots?

[@itszackempire]

Veitch is such a great artist. Glad to see him getting some Love! And thanks for the timeline of how to read these books! I knew they were all part of one story, but I had no idea what order they went in.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

You're welcome! The timeline is provided in the Brat Pack/Maximortal Super Specials, by the way.

[@itszackempire]

@@StrangeBrainParts I actually haven't gotten those yet! Looks like it off the ebay for me!

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@itszackempire Good luck! I can't imagine they'd be too expensive or too difficult to locate.

[@DrLynch2009]

Wait, five books? All this years i have belived it was only The Maximortal, Brat Pack and The One.

[@rcct44444]

I hope to see a full break down on the king hell heroica books. Your videos make anything and everything interesting

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Thank you! I'm hoping to get one on the Maximortal done soon.

[@markdibuo3756]

You could talk about milestone the imprint of DC comics that was just been brought back.

[@esean1]

Every time I read BRAT PACK, I feel like I need to shower. For, like, a year!

[@sirongogaribaldi4532]

I just got into your stuff and I love it. Have you ever read Bone or thought about doing a video about it?

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Bone is on the list of material I will eventually get to. It may be a while, though...it's a LONG list.

[@rolandkatsuragi]

It's amazing how many titles there are that are analogous criticisms to the seedy exploitative machinations of the industry

[@haydenjohnw]

Which piece of music is your intro from? It’s extremely tasteful and has has an amazing impact when used in the beginning of your videos.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

It's called, "Abby Cadence Sting." It's a piece I downloaded from the freeware library found on KZbin.

[@jikorijo4516]

@@StrangeBrainParts Every time I hear that piece of music, I expect the Bob Segar song, Mainstreet, to begin.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@Jikrijo Ha! Now that you've mentioned, I can hear that, too.

[@brianj.8441]

I, too, really like this short piece of music. It makes me think of some retro Sci-fi planet landscape.

[@Thenameless1]

Just finished reading this, I still don't know what to think of it. I like ideas it has, and really dig the art, but in the end I can't quite say I understand what my overall thoughts on it were.

[@akiraeatsguitarpicks491]

This comic completely tears a new one to the boys comic. Way more interesting and it’s not weirdly bigoted like Ennis’ writing

[@javib2978]

To me, Brat Pack has more in common with The Boy and X-Statix. Brat Pack is more in line with the X-Statix comics by Peter Milligan.

[@freedommgtow4996]

I'm definitely going to my comic book store and hopefully purchase this entire book. Great video, and thanks for the heads-up.

[@miguebros8]

you should do astro city

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I consider myself a fairly well-read comicbook fan from this era, but I have absolutely no recollection of this series. I don't know how you find these things? Great video is usual 👍

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I look in my comic collection and there they are! That's how I find them. :)

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@StrangeBrainParts That's why you have a KZbin channel and I don't 😉

[@StrangeBrainParts]

@Christoper Molloy : All it takes is some free time and a video editing program and you too could do comic book reviews! :)

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@StrangeBrainParts Maybe someday✌️

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

@@StrangeBrainParts Do you know of a good video editing program for the Commodore Amiga? 😱🤣

[@minespatch]

will you be covering Technophage in the future. I discovered those comics back when my town had a mall and felt so bad that it never got into the maintream. Such a fun series.

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

I read these when they came out, and was a huge fan of Rick Veitch’s, book The One and his work on Swamp thing. I found this to be too much of a One Note series. It felt like he had a point to make, and only a sledgehammer to drive it home. I reread it about five years ago and had the same feeling. I’m going to give it a reread now to see if I feel any differently.

[@Thenameless1]

I hope you eventually talk about The Boys since you always bring something different and interesting to the table of comics discussion even if it's stuff that's universally hated, and in lue KZbinr Just Stop being the only creator I've seen actively defend and praise the comic, it would be interesting to see if you have anything to add or take away from that perception.

[@BenWard29]

Life is constant horrible pain, here in... Slumburg...

[@edward2962]

I need to reacquaint himself with this story.

[@lillycrecelius985]

Wow, what a bleak outlook on the industry. And pretty accurate, in my opinion. Thanks for another great video, you rarely disappoint.

[@jbozlinski]

Is this a remake/re-upload, or am I going crazy? I mean, I’m going to watch regardless!

[@holyharlot5222]

That's what I like about it

[@alessandrajackson3768]

There is commentary and meta commentary….then there is just torture porn disguised as commentary!

[@fad23]

Yes!

[@castironchaos]

I predict the next video seen on this channel will be a lovingly detailed analysis of the symbolic aspects of the Ultimate Marvel Universe. :) "Tastes like chicken." (More than that I'll not say, as I daresay you know what that's from.)

[@StrangeBrainParts]

How did you know?!

[@castironchaos]

@@StrangeBrainParts I figured it was either that or another video about the boob window.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

No joke...I was going to make another one.

[@dafullclip]

April 15 already? Anyways, good ivdeo as per usual!

[@yogurds]

The Boys, Rick Veitch stuff, Marshal Law ... any more ? I feel that I need more.

[@Antdevamp]

My fave, only "The One" being tangled in this could have made it better. Maximmortal is enough.

[@flamestoyershadowkill6400]

Could you review the comic thoas valiant when it comes out

[@SnakeRoadComicsOfficial3677]

Hope we'll see a vid covering Invincible

[@ElArlequin]

Hello Brat Pack fans! I want to own everything Brat Pack related because this comic made my brain explode! So far I was able to buy: *The One (Hardcover) *Brat Pack (Hardcover and Signed Limited Edition) *The Maximortal First Print TPB. What else am I missing? Thanks!!!

[@PaulNtabuyeButera]

... until next time.

[@jaredgarcia8638]

Looking at how modern comics from the big two are treating their characters and the audience, Rick Vietch was right.

[@gane-]

Are you going to make a video on the boys

[@estusshart6470]

You should do the maximortal afterwards, still as dark but at the same time much larger in scale, with some much more direct criticisms at the comic book industry

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Maximortal is in the works.

[@DeathAlchemist]

God, looking at this comic just makes me feel disgusted (not that it is a bad thing tho). I am curious if the maximortal stuff you mentioned is any good.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

It is good. I'm trying to piece together a video on that, too.

[@roguegallery7519]

Somebody get in touch with Veitch and tell him to start a legal lawsuit against DCcomics/ WarnerMedia/AT&T because the Riddle's design for the new Batman movie its an obvious rip-off of the Dr.Blasfemy's mask.

[@holaestoymuerto]

♡

[@darkestccino5405]

Is it just me, or does the eyes on the four "hero" archtype characters look fake? Like they're distinctly more catroony and less realistic than all the other characters?

[@unclefranklin4575]

5:13 Uhhh, what?

[@usagentgaming3079]

Maybe he thinks Punisher is racist or something lol

[@unclefranklin4575]

@@usagentgaming3079 funny thing is the punisher was one of the first characters to be race-swapped before it was cool. Ahead of his time.

[@Leo-mu8kn]

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