David LoTempio, Grants Administrator for People Inc., read Steve Bennett's latest "Confessions" column (see "Confessions of a Comic Book Guy--The World That's Coming Is Coming For You") and had this to say:

I think Steve raises some intriguing thoughts as always.  I concur with his suggestion regarding reusing Ultra Girl and Squirrel Girl but caution that a character like Squirrel Girl might almost need to be transferred into another medium.  She's a fun concept but, if not handled properly, one that easily affirms how goofy and nerdy are comic characters rather than how their unbridled originality is inspiring.

But the big thing I wanted to reflect on was his concerns regarding the future of comics.  The fear of a comic grave has been with us for a long time.  I recall hearing about it first during the early 80s before the Direct Market fully kicked in.  I don't think Steve is being Chicken Little and sounding an unnecessary warning since we're seeing related media like newspapers and magazines impacted by new consumer trends.  That said, I think Steve didn't use a great example with the pulps.  The pulps were as much a style and trend than a physical thing that died out.  The pulps transformed into men's magazines and the style and concepts naturally moved into other media like books and film.  The popularity of Robert E. Howard and H.P. Lovecraft, and projects like Planetary are testament that the pulps didn't die.  They infected other media.  

But I believe I understand where Steve was trying to go with his comment.  The people who are the most avid enjoyers of pulp fiction are a small audience of devotees.  Will comic book fans follow that path?  Perhaps.  I would agree that audiences are consuming entertainment in different ways.  Constant electronic access to entertainment is forming new habits and forcing magazines and newspapers to produce material 24/7.  The one day wait for news or 30 days subscription are becoming irrelevant to a portion of the population.  I don't believe this is the death kneel for comics though because people by and large want to be entertained.  And they want entertainment available to them all the time and in many ways.  Comics by virtue of its marriage of text and image can satisfy both a niche (for those only interested in comics) and general audience (for those projects with broad appeal).

Undoubtedly comics are going to change.  The recent speculation about Apple's alleged tablet is evidence of where some people want electronics to go.  It wouldn't be impossible to transfer comics to this medium and of course it has already begun.  It might mean a loss of physical product though, which I suspect is one of Steve's worries.  But I would remind Steve that the enjoyment of reading a physical comic is not enduring.  Comics go out of print.  Even reprints go out of print.  Sure some classics may stay in print for a long time but most entertainment, whether TV, movie, play or book, is only available for a short period of time.  I think comics will adapt to the new technology and survive in some fashion into the future.  I look forward to sharing enjoyment of this material with Steve in the future.

Well... so long as it doesn't include offing Doiby Dickles or Zabu.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff of ICv2.com.