Comic books have always generated a strong fandom. With the accessibility of new video production and editing tools, that fandom has grown more and more adept at producing content inspired by the characters they love. The scope and variety of fan produced content continues poses a challenge as fanfic starts to look and feel like professional productions. Where do we draw the line to protect intellectual property? At what point does a character woven into the cultural landscape through decades of storytelling become an object of public domain worthy of manipulation for creative purposes? The legal fight around fair use looms in the background, but the immediate answer is clear. Fan engagement is a byproduct that license holder wants, but they rightly prevent fan products from generating profits. This fan film inspired by Hawkeye fits neatly in the space created by contemporary circumstances. Recognizable characterization, good production values, and clear story inspiration from the award winning comic series.
Throughout the 60’s, comics were at the forefront of social transformation. Possibly the best example of this is through comics reflection of the public’s view of the Vietnam War. At the beginning of the war a majority of Americans fully supported the cause. The idea that communism, the most evil idea conceived, could spread first through South-East Asia and eventually to the US lead Americans to accept the need to occupy Vietnam. However as the war progressed it became more obvious that it was less to defend democracy and actually just a proxy war against Russia. As support for the war diminished, comics greatly altered their position on the war to question the causes of the war, and whether the US should actually be there. The comic Iron Man accurately represented this shift in support as he stopped dealing arms, and took a moral stand against their use. As well as Vietnam War culture, comics also accurately portrayed youth culture in the US throughout the 60’s. Comics suc...
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