Graphic Novel Reading Group discussion

Do characters in Superhero comics still age? When I read superhero comics in mid 80s-early 90s (mostly marvel) characters aged at slower rate. For example 30 years in our reality was around 5-7 years in marvel universe. But based on resets like New 52 aging no longer happens?

If you read the John Byrne She Hulk, he proposed that superhero characters only age when they're not appearing in a book. Some Silver Age character came back as an old woman and said she only started getting older when her series was cancelled. Funny stuff.

The other theory is that a superhero has a bubble, so that all his associated co-stars come along with him. Thus Lois Lane is always about the same age as Superman.

And let's not forget that if any real human being had as much action and adventure in his life as Spiderman, his bones would be powder by now. "My God, it's the Green Goblin for the forty-eigth time!"

Judge Dredd is probably the best example of a character that has aged in real time. He is now just over 70, so, although almost more machine than man, it seems at the moment they are going to have to magic him younger soon. Suspension of disbelief wont hold much longer.

Dredd has had at least one rejuve treatment and his eyes are bionic. They could do it again if needed. Plus he also has a couple of clones who could take over from him, Dolman and Rico. I don't think they will kill him off until John Wagner (creator) isn't able to write him any more.

It is probably the most interesting facet of the character that his attitude and character have slowly changed over time as he's aged. I think it makes for an interesting juxtaposition to other comic characters like Batman or Spiderman who never really age. Spiderman has progressed more than most American superheroes, but it did take him 30 or 40 years to get out of high school college.

I thought he had had more replaced than just his burnt out eyes? Totally forgot about Dolman too. Haven't read any of the Day of Chaos stuff yet so I have about two/three years to catch up on. For a while there in the mid 00s it seemed like Rico was going to slot in nicely as Dredd's replacement.

I agree that it has been nice to see Dredd change over time. I think it started with the America story line where a little bit of self doubt crept in. He is certainly a slightly more compassionate figure than he was (though that is extremely relative). Trying to let the muties into Mega City One proved that. Part of me would love to see a definitive conclusion to his story but another part of me would cry knowing that it was all finished!

Thinking back and its 30 plus years of continuity I think he has a lung and some other bits and bobs, but not much though his rejuve treatments probably still make him younger.

Day of Chaos was really good, a bit of the soap thats become part of the character really (Vienna, Rico et al) and some good action, like the apocalypse war.

I still get a regular prog, though I guess talking about dredd or the prog probably should have its own thread.