Death: The High Cost of Publishing?

Matt Brady reports over at Newsarama on a panel at this past weekend's Wizard World Boston on death in comic books, specifically on whether or not the lack of permanence of comic book deaths takes the meaning out of the death. This is a very timely discussion what with Hawkeye dying in Avengers and returning in House of M, not to mention Blue Beetle and Maxwell Lord, among others, dying in the lead up to Infinite Crisis. Also, we've all heard so many rumors concerning the upcoming crisis ("Characters will live! Characters will die!") it makes you wonder if all these company changing crossovers really have any meaning beyond shock value.

Does it really matter if, for example, Superman were to be killed again when it is likely he will be resurrected within a few months? Continuing with this example, back when Doomsday killed Superman in Superman #75, those that didn't read comic books took notice and were shocked at the passing of such an iconic character. Did any comic book readers really believe he was gone for good? Not at all, but it was still shocking and made for a really great storyline and revitalized the Superman books. If he were to be killed again, I don't think anyone would be fooled into thinking he was gone forever, but it would hopefully make for some great stories. I think that's the bottom line when it comes to comic book character deaths and resurrections. As long as it makes sense story wise and the tale being told that concerning the death and return is well written and enjoyable, then it is worth it.

The biggest problem in this area for publishers is in killing a much beloved character only to lose readers over it. If the death itself is rather ridiculous, as in Hawkeye's, then you run the risk of readers dropping the book(s) said character was appearing in or even deciding not to buy from your company completely. Similarly, if you kill the same character multiple times, especially in a similar way each time (Jean Grey anyone?) you will also lose readers. When Hal Jordan was shuffled lose this mortal coil many people, myself included, stopped reading Green Lantern. He was killed after he had left the book, but I kept reading in the hopes that he would return. Once Hal Jordan stopped being a villian and sacrificed himself, I finally dropped the book. I only started reading the character again with the Rebirth mini-series that brought back Jordan. Did I miss some great Green Lantern stories in the interim? Yeah, probably, but they were stories centered on a character I no longer cared about. Anytime Reed Richards is supposedly killed in Fantastic Four I stop buying the book. Again, I'm sure I'm missing some great stories, but my enjoyment of the book is contingent on the stories being based on the team as a whole.

So, killing comic book characters and having them miraculously return from the grave will always be a constant plot device of the medium, but they are not always handled in the best way possible. Make them compelling and part of a well-written story and readers will be there, otherwise sales will be lost, books will be cancelled and creators will be out of work. How do all of you feel about the subject of comic book character deaths?