Now I Have to Stop Buying Certain Comics Because They Have Become Nike Ads

I know people will say it was bound to happen, but product placement in comics just makes me sad. And a little angry. I'm naive, what can I say. The interesting thing is that the Wall Street Journal article points out that 'this isn't new' and it's really 'not so bad':

Weaving products into comics is not entirely new. DC says in the 1960s it produced comic-book series based on toys such as Captain Action or Hot Wheels, in response to advertiser relationships. The new auto-maker ads will be less overt.

See, that's the thing. I think in this case, 'less overt' is worse. In part because 'less over' does NOT mean that I don't see the ads. And: I can clearly decide whether or not to buy a hot wheels comic, and I know what I'm getting. But if I go see a movie and there are lots of product placements, or if I buy a comic and the same thing happens, I didn't really have a good chance at having a choice in the matter. Instead, I'll have to start only buying comics which are made by companies that don't generally do product placement...for as long as such companies exist.

Blech.
Filed under:Comics as Life Pop Culture

Awesome

Almost makes me wish I were Mormon when I was a teenager...


Filed under:Pop Culture and Religion