ROGER’S COMIC RAMBLINGS: supporting CHARACTERS

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by Roger Ash

Aunt May

For every lead character in comics, there’s a supporting character. For Superman, there’s Lois Lane, Perry White, as well as Jimmy Olsen. For Spider-Man, there’s Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson, as well as Robbie Robertson. For Batman, there’s Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, as well as Leslie Thompkins. For Archie Andrews, there’s Jughead Jones. Some supporting characters even ended up being prominent sufficient they ended up being a lead character themselves. Scrooge McDuck started as a supporting character in a Donald Duck story. Oracle started as a supporting character in Batman.

Supporting characters are required to comics (heck, any type of story) since they assist flesh out the lead character. As much as I like Spider-Man/Peter Parker, he wouldn’t be the exact same without Aunt may to be his rock, J. Jonah Jameson to torment him, Flash Thompson to be the schoolyard bully, or Gwen Stacy to be the like of his life. I understand some people will suggest with me that the like of his life was Mary Jane, however no. In my opinion, the woman for Peter was Gwen. These characters assist make the lead character much more genuine as well as flesh out the world they online in.

So today, I’m going to celebrate the supporting characters in comics with a look at a few of my favorites, as well as we begin with the very first one I met.

Beverly Switzler (Howard the Duck)

Beverly Switzler. When I believe of Bev, this is the illo that concerns mind. Art by gene Colan.

Since Steve Gerber’s run on Howard the Duck is my preferred comic ever, it’s truly no surprise that the woman in his life is one of my preferred supporting characters. The truth that she’s a beautiful redhead as well as I very first encountered her around puberty most likely plays into it as well. Beverly very first appeared in Howard the Duck #1 chained in the tower of Pro-Rata, Cosmic Accountant. She would ended up being Howard’s guide to the unusual new world he discovered himself trapped in. They would likewise ended up being much more, although that was left as an ramification in the early years as bestiality in a Code authorized comic would certainly be off limits. She is a strong lady with a mind of her own who can hold her own in a fight with Howard. They made a excellent pair as well as their connection result in some unforgettable adventures including an abduction by the villainous physician Bong.

Cosmo (Guardians of the Galaxy/Annihilators)

Cosmo

We relocation from my very first preferred supporting characters to one of the most recent. Cosmo very first appeared in an problem of Nova written by Dan Abnett as well as Andy Lanning. Cosmo is the head of safety and security at the area station called Knowhere. He’s an ex-Russian cosmonaut as well as a powerful telepath as well as telekinetic. He’s likewise a canine (I believe a golden retriever, however his look modifications a bit depending upon the artist drawing him). His character is so fun, it was like at very first sight for me. He has a dry sense of humor that I delight in which can commonly break the ice in a tense situation. however Cosmo is not just comic relief, with his powers he can kick ass with the very best of them.

Volstagg (Thor)

Volstagg. Art by Charles Vess.

We now relocation on to a character who is many commonly utilized a comic relief, Volstagg the Voluminous. Stan Lee has stated in the past that Volstagg was based on William Shakespeare’s character Falstaff. That may be part of the reason I like him so much because I’ve long been a fan of Shakespeare as well as that character. Also, Thor has a tendency to get extremely heavy at times as well as having Volstagg lighten the mood was always welcome. As a member of the Warriors Three, he has sometimes been made into much more of a lead character, however that is rare. If the Warriors three were the three Stooges, he would be Curly. many writers throughout the years have depicted him as a blowhard who might talk a great game, however would run when difficulty came. however I have a fondness for exactly how he was depicted by Walter Simonson. Yes, he was a blowhard, indeed he was inept as a fighter, however with some major stroke of luck he would achieve what needed to be done.

Smiley Bone (Bone)

Smiley Bone disguised as a cow.

When I started believing about supporting characters in Jeff Smith’s Bone, I ran into an fascinating dilemma. even though the book is named Bone, probably after the character Fone Bone, a situation might be made that he is a supporting character in his own book because the story as it plays out truly belongs to Thorn. however I don’t believe numerous would take problem when I state that one of the most fun supporting characters in the book is Smiley Bone. Smiley very first truly caught my elegant when he agreed to gownup like a cow as well as run in the excellent Cow Race as part of a plan organized by Phoney Bone. This added an fascinating twist to the character; he was out for a great time, no matter exactly how noble or sketchy it may be. as well as he truly was a supporting character as he practically always complied with somebody else’s lead. The one exception I can believe of to this guideline is when he chose to embrace Bartleby, a infant rat creature.

Gen (Usagi Yojimbo)

Gen from the cover of Usagi Yojimbo #79.

Gennosuke, much better understood as Gen, is a bounty hunter who’s a rhino in Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo. When he very first appeared, he was a genuine nuisance who would cause Usagi no end of frustration. Over the years, both Gen as well as his connection with Usagi have established to the point where, to me, they are finest buddies (although neither of them would freely admit that). as well as like finest friends, they joke together, travel together, as well as provide each other lots of grief. I really delight in Usagi finest when Gen’s around. It brings out a side of his character that I discover truly appealing. however Gen has ended up being rather a complex character himself as his connection with Usagi has altered exactly how he looks at some things as well as Sakai has exposed much more of why Gen behaves like he does.

I might keep doing this all day, however five seems like a great location to stop. I truly delight in a great supporting character as they improves both the story as well as the lead character in the book. as well as comics are full of an outstanding range of fun supporting characters.

Now it’s your turn. who are your preferred supporting characters as well as why? publish your reactions below as well as let me know!

Now, go checked out a comic!

Special thanks to KC Carlson for his assist with this piece.