I was reading a book on political shifting and its effect on the 2000 election, and it got me thinking about comics (I'm a geek).
The book describes how the ideas of so called "New Democrats" and "Compassionate Conservatives" changed the political spectrum. But in the end the idea/philosophy that got the most votes became the incumbent for the next several years.
Same with comics.
Look at it this way. John Byrne and Frank Miller are put out there by their "party" (company), they get the reader's votes (in terms of sales) and Superman/Batman take on the Byrnes/Miller view for several years. Then Jurgens/Dixon take over, they carry some of the Byrnes/Miller ideas but slant it to their own view. And so on and so on.
Then you look at how these ideas change comics. How, like politics, when one thing is popular it changes the shape of the industry for years to come (Clintonism changes in Washington compared to Kirby/Leeism changes to comics).
Also take into account the infighting, controversial interviews, and party/company loyalty, not to mention the personal politics of the fans (some blast/defend Loeb or Johns like others blast/defend Bush or Kerry).
And no other entertainment industry is like this. TV fans don't say "Make mine NBC." Moviebuffs don't call Jason Patric a hack for his role in the retcon of Speed 1. Only comic fans and the industry itself plays itself out so politically.
I don't know if this idea holds any merit, I just thought it was interesting.
