Skateman

Skateman
Publication information
Publisher Pacific Comics
First appearance Skateman #1 (November 1983)
Created by Neal Adams
In-story information
Alter ego Billy Moon
Abilities Excellent physical abilities
Experienced in hand-to-hand combat

Skateman was a comic book produced by Neal Adams, and published by Pacific Comics in November 1983. It is primarily known as an industry curiosity, a widely derided comic produced by one of comics' most highly regarded and influential creators.

Publication history

One issue of Skateman was published, cover-dated November 1983. Its 19-page lead story was written and drawn by Neal Adams. Accompanying it were two five-page backup features: "Korlack of Futureworld" by writer and penciler Jack Arata, and inker Andy Kubert; and "Rock Warrior" by writer-artist Paul S. Power.[1]

Fictional character biography

Billy Moon is a martial arts enthusiast and Vietnam veteran who has found a career in roller derby. In the wake of the murder of his best friend by biker gangs, Moon sinks into depression, only to meet a young Hispanic boy named Paco. Paco's comic-book collection inspires Moon to wrap a scarf around his face and fight crime with his roller skates.

Critical analysis

Skateman is primarily known for its artistic failings, despite being the product of the highly regarded and influential comics creator Neal Adams. Historian Don Markstein called its protagonist "one (of) the least-acclaimed heroes of all time".[2] The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide rhetorically asked, "What was Neal Adams thinking?";[3] and in January 1991, Kitchen Sink Press's World's Worst Comics Awards listed Skateman #1 as the worst comic of the previous 25 years.[4] Similarly, Tom Orzechowski has stated that Skateman is "known in the industry as the World's Worst Comic Book".[5]

Other criticism came from sources such as cartoonist Francesco Marciuliano, who stated that Skateman could have only fought crime when he wasn't "being hauled in by police for emergency psychiatric evaluations";[6] K. Thor Jensen of Heavy.com, who listed Skateman as among the "20 Worst Superheroes";[7] Matt Risley of SFX, who listed Skateman's roller skates as among the "most ludicrous" weapons in comic books;[8] the Huffington Post, which stated that a film adaptation of Skateman "should never get made";[9] and Comics Alliance, which called Adams' effort "legendarily terrible".[10]

The San Diego Reader said that Skateman made Dazzler "seem like Proust by comparison", and partially attributes the fall of Pacific Comics to "(s)everal palletloads of unsold Skateman comics".[11]

References

  1. ↑ Skateman at the Grand Comics Database.
  2. ↑ Skateman at Don Markstein's Toonopedia; published 2009, retrieved June 2, 2014. Archived from the original on May 6, 2015.
  3. ↑ the Slings & Arrows Comics Guide; edited by Frank Plowright; published by Top Shelf Productions, 2003 (via Google Books)
  4. ↑ World's Worst Comics Awards (1990) - no. 2, at comicbookdb.com; retrieved June 2, 2014
  5. ↑ Fallout: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and the Political Science of the Atomic Bomb, (page 237) by Jim Ottaviani (via Google Books); published 2001 by GT Labs
  6. ↑ 6 Superheroes That Should Never Have Become Superheroes, by Francesco Marciuliano, at Smosh.com; published April 16, 2013; retrieved June 2, 2014
  7. ↑ The 20 Worst Superheroes, by K. Thor Jensen, at heavy.com; published April 13, 2010; retrieved June 2, 2014
  8. ↑ BLOG Comics’ Most Ludicrous Weapons, by Matt Risley, at SFX; published April 25, 2011; retrieved June 2, 2014
  9. ↑ 5 Superhero Movies That Should Never Get Made, by Ryan Kristobak, at the Huffington Post; published November 15, 2013; retrieved June 2, 2014
  10. ↑ Deconstructing the Complete and Utter Insanity of ‘Batman: Odyssey’, by Laura Hudson; at Comics Alliance; published March 8, 2011; retrieved June 2, 2014
  11. ↑ The History Of Comic Books In San Diego: The '80s, by Jay Allen Sanford; at the San Diego Reader; published September 14, 2008; retrieved June 2, 2014
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