Bratpack (comics)
Encyclopedia
Brat Pack is the title of a comic book
limited series
by Rick Veitch
(self-published under the company name King Hell Press). It is a dark satire on superhero
sidekick
s, influenced partly by the fans' decision to kill off Batman
's sidekick Jason Todd
, but also built on other long-standing rumors and undercurrents in the history of the superhero genre, prominently commercialism
, homosexuality
, pedophilia
, violence, and the fascist tendencies inherent in superheroes.
. The plot involves the efforts of Slumberg's various heroes, known collectively as Black October, to recruit new sidekicks—the original group of sidekicks having been killed by the villain Doctor Blasphemy.
Underlying the plot is the recurring element of the heroes being aware of their public popularity and the success of the comic books and merchandise based on their lives and adventures. Neil Gaiman characterizes Brat Packs pastiche of cynical commercialism this way: "The corporations, after all, own the characters. Remember: Batman isn't simply a comics character: he's a movie star, a lunchbox pin-up, a licensing goldmine. You mess with Batman and Warner Entertainment
gets worried. You screw with Spider-Man
, and watch Revlon
get upset."
collection of the limited series features notable differences from the original, most prominently in the ending. Since then, there have been four subsequent collected editions (with comics writer Neil Gaiman
adding an introduction to the third and all subsequent releases).
. Indeed, for those brave readers looking for a follow-up to Watchmen, Brat Pack could be just the thing."
, from his introduction to the trade paperback:
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
limited series
Limited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
by Rick Veitch
Rick Veitch
Richard "Rick" Veitch is an American comic book artist and writer who has worked in mainstream, underground, and alternative comics.-Early career:...
(self-published under the company name King Hell Press). It is a dark satire on superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
sidekick
Sidekick
A sidekick is a close companion who is generally regarded as subordinate to the one he accompanies. Some well-known fictional sidekicks are Don Quixote's Sancho Panza, Sherlock Holmes' Doctor Watson, The Lone Ranger's Tonto, The Green Hornet's Kato and Batman's Robin.-Origins:The origin of the...
s, influenced partly by the fans' decision to kill off Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
's sidekick Jason Todd
Jason Todd
Jason Peter Todd is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Jason first appeared in Batman #357 and became the second Robin, sidekick to the superhero Batman, when the previous Robin went on to star in The New Teen Titans under the moniker of Nightwing.Though...
, but also built on other long-standing rumors and undercurrents in the history of the superhero genre, prominently commercialism
Commercialism
Commercialism, in its original meaning, is the practices, methods, aims, and spirit of commerce or business. Today, however, it primarily refers to the tendency within open-market capitalism to turn everything into objects, images, and services sold for the purpose of generating profit...
, homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, pedophilia
Pedophilia
As a medical diagnosis, pedophilia is defined as a psychiatric disorder in adults or late adolescents typically characterized by a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children...
, violence, and the fascist tendencies inherent in superheroes.
Plot
The events of Brat Pack take place in the fictional city of Slumburg, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The plot involves the efforts of Slumberg's various heroes, known collectively as Black October, to recruit new sidekicks—the original group of sidekicks having been killed by the villain Doctor Blasphemy.
Underlying the plot is the recurring element of the heroes being aware of their public popularity and the success of the comic books and merchandise based on their lives and adventures. Neil Gaiman characterizes Brat Packs pastiche of cynical commercialism this way: "The corporations, after all, own the characters. Remember: Batman isn't simply a comics character: he's a movie star, a lunchbox pin-up, a licensing goldmine. You mess with Batman and Warner Entertainment
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
gets worried. You screw with Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, and watch Revlon
Revlon
Revlon is an American cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company founded in 1932.-History:Revlon was founded in the midst of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the "L" in the Revlon name...
get upset."
Characters
The main characters of Brat Pack are:- Midnight Mink, a homosexual vigilante and his sidekick Chippy
- Judge Jury, a fascist, white supremacist, steroidSteroidA steroid is a type of organic compound that contains a characteristic arrangement of four cycloalkane rings that are joined to each other. Examples of steroids include the dietary fat cholesterol, the sex hormones estradiol and testosterone, and the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.The core...
-using murderous vigilante, and his sidekick Kid Vicious - Moon Mistress, a man-hating warrior woman, and her sidekick Luna
- King Rad, an armored hero bent on living the ultimate rush, and his sidekick Wild Boy
Collected editions
The initial 1992 trade paperbackTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
collection of the limited series features notable differences from the original, most prominently in the ending. Since then, there have been four subsequent collected editions (with comics writer Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
adding an introduction to the third and all subsequent releases).
Reception
Brat Pack is Rick Veitch/King Hell's top-selling title, with the fourth edition selling out in late 2007. Veitch released a fifth edition in 2009. Comics reporter Heidi MacDonald considers Brat Pack the third part of "the troika of immortal works dissecting the superhero genre, with the other two being Dark Knight and WatchmenWatchmen
Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. The series was published by DC Comics during 1986 and 1987, and has been subsequently reprinted in collected form...
. Indeed, for those brave readers looking for a follow-up to Watchmen, Brat Pack could be just the thing."
Quotes
Neil GaimanNeil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, from his introduction to the trade paperback: