Just When You Thought the Arrogance Might End

Last night Marvel's Editor in chief was on the Colbert Report. I knew he was scheduled to be on thanks to some adverts on one of them there comic news websites. So I was excited to see the man speak, maybe he'd even discuss the Spider-man retcon, get down to brass tacks, etc. Sadly, he went nowhere near Peter Parker. Happily, he reaffirmed my opinion that he is the Marvel universe's most gigantic asshole.

I don't usually get locked up in appearances, but i can't fail to open this discussion with how Joe presented himself to millions of viewers. He was wearing a dark dress shirt with a few too many buttons undone up top. But where you might expect a healthy tuft of man-hair all you got was pale pale skin. Seriously, Beyonce's rack has more hair on it. Of course the lack of hair freaks me out far more than actual hair ever could have. So right off the bat, before he says one word, there's Quesada embracing the appearance of being a totally douche that goes right along with...

talking as if one is a total douche. The mini-interview was an exhustive promo for upcoming marvel projects, which in itself wasn't bad, just kinda tactless. At least he could tried to made it look like the only reason he was on the show wasn't to move product. There was the Cap plug, which admittedly was the easiest to swallow, after all Colbert has Rogers' shield on his trophy wall. And was righteously pissed that he was passed over for Bucky.

Yet the interview concluded with the most egregious part of all. Quesada flattered Colbert by telling him his failed 'real world' presidential bid was still alive and well in the Marvel Universe. He then showed the cover to the first issue of the Brand New Day story-arc, the one with red Spidey with camera in tow, crouching on a wall and more or less visually ignoring the last 20 years of storytelling, but let's not get into that right now. There is a billboard in the background that on my issue reads "Spidey returns!" But on the Colbert report last night Quesada photoshopped in "Colbert in 08'!" But this isn't quite the douchiest part.

Quesada then brought out a series of bumperstickers, each supposedly more impressive than the last. The first was Colbert/Iron man in 08'. Stephen then compared Stark to Romney which made me chuckle. Then the Colbert/Hulk ticket to which Stephen said, "The campaign slogan writes itself, Colbert Smash!" But wait for it, who would be the third and supposedly most impressive running mate? Who is the most important figure in the Marvel universe? Wolverine? Cap? Peter Parker? No. The final bumpersticker?

Colbert/Quesada 08'.

because plugging your companies products is one thing, but letting the American viewing public forget that you are the Dr Doom-esque despot of the fictional landscape you preside over? That would be inexcusable.