Marvel Comics recently did a special inauguration team-up of Spider-Man and Barack Obama. To say Marvel is cashing in on the presidency would be a gross understatement. But then again everyone is cashing in on Barack Obama… buses, t-shits, Starbucks. Anyone and everyone is making money off the 44th president. Since, President Obama himself is a devoted Spidey fan, the special Marvel issue only seems natural. I just don’t know if a comic book is the place to make a political statement. Actually, that’s untrue, comics are great places to make political statements, V for Vendetta for example. I just don’t think comic books are the best place to make money off of this particular political statement.

It definitely just seems that Joe Quesada has dollar signs in his eyes. They rush out and they reprint and reprint a special Spider-Man issue, but what message are they really sending out? At one point in the comic, Barack is all like, “You the dog, Spidey… pound it.” I have to say it seems a little racist to me. The issue was written by Zeb Wells, a writer I have no animosity towards, but is generally known for his whiteness. Fans at comic-cons often walk away muttering, “That is the whitest human being I have ever seen.” Zeb is a shade away from transparent! I’m not saying he’s a klan member, but bumping fists with Spider-Man, Zeb? Really?

I’m actually a little surprised they didn’t have a double-duo attack of Sarah Palin and Doc Ock. Although, I do have to admit that the one politics in comix that I did enjoy was that Lex Luthor was President of the DC universe during George W. Bush’s stint in the White House. Other than that, comics should just stick to telling good, fun stories. That’s something that I’m always latching onto the fact that comic books have lost any degree of having fun.

Although, I’m looking forward to the super-sized issue of the Incredible Hulk vs. William H. Taft.