There are characters we all love and hang onto, in comics.
For me, it’s The Heckler.
This is about as obscure as comic books from the Big Two get: he had a six issue series back in 1992 that was never reprinted in any form that I’m aware of, he was dragged into actual DC continuity a total of once in a one-shot Patton Oswalt wrote, and even when they went on their massive ’90s nostalgia kick recently, no dice.
Possibly this is due to the rights; Keith Geffen may own the Heckler lock, stock and barrel.
As for why I miss the Heckler, it’s because the books are kind of unreconstructed goofiness that you rarely see in comics. They were basically Bugs Bunny cartoons in yellow spandex, and a reminder that comics could be fun.
That and I’m kind of wondering how many times Stu has had to replace his diner’s sign.
How about you? What character do you miss the most?
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Tough one. Primarily because my favorites that “go away” tend to already have been brought back in some lesser fashion that besmirched their memory.
I’d say Sandman, but that would only work with Gaiman, and the Morpheus himself was most of the time just an excuse for what was going on around him. So maybe I miss the book more than the character.
I almost said She-Hulk, but then realize it’s really Slott who makes it so good.
For me it’s easy:
For Marvel, it’s The Captain (as in please make another Nextwave series).
For DC…seriously, please bring back Wally West.
Forget that. Make a Nextwave movie.
Wally West, seconded.
Cassandra Cain, even though there is a better chance of monkeys flying out of my butt than DC bringing her back.
I like to think she and Spoiler are hanging out in Maui, resting up.
I’m still waiting for Uncle Ben to come back.
He’ll only be a minute. ZING!
‘Mazing Man!
Seconded
Dan, I’m with you.
I’m kind of a Giffen completist.
And like all of Giffen’s creations (Lobo, Trencher & my personal favorite, Ambush bug), the man knows how to break convention. That being said, I’m seconding your nomination with The Heckler.
Zauriel from Morrison’s JLA or Empress from Young Justice.
or maybe Orpheus since Stephanie Brown not being Robin should mean he didn’t die during War Games.
Jack Knight, but he really has no place in the New 52, and pre-New 52 I would have been very hesitant of anyone except James Robinson handling him.
At least we got the Shade ongoing which isn’t half bad.
I was under the impression that the Shade was a 12-issue series, and that if it did well enough we might see another 12-issue series down the line. Personally, I hope it happens. THIS is the writing that made me fall in love with Robinson’s Starman, and I don’t think he was ever really able to capture it again in his other works.
I’m hoping that, since he’s basically building his own version of the DCU, Robinson will be able to let loose with “Earth 2″ in the same way he did with “Starman.”
Yeah, Shade’s a 12 issue series, but the door’s open.
Dude… So wondrously groovy to see someone else sing the praises of The Heckler. Still one of the finest series I’ve ever read. Funnier than a whole lot in that world. He almost out-bugs’ Bugs Bunny. Fantastich! Bring this series back, DC!!
Or at least reprint it. Or put out digital scans on Comixology.
Neil Gaiman’s Sandman with Daniel as the new Dream. I hated how it ended.
Ellis wrote a short series for Wildstorm called “Global Frequency” that I thought was just superb, some of his best written material ever. great twists / turns. the books have a couple of re-occurring characters so I guess it counts.
Hey! Heckler! I’m not the only one! Giffen has said that Heckler would revert to his ownership after a certain number of years, and I believe that passed a year or two ago. So we could see a return, in indie press? That would rule.
Also like the props for ‘Mazing Man! Woo Hoo! Miss the lil’ guy.
Another character who’d be better served by a small press company tho.
DAMAGE CONTROL
Vext.
Major Bummer.
Ted Kord.
H.E.R.O.
Sleepwalker. Such a great 90′s comic.