Shoulder Pads and Spandex
by Brant W. Fowler
With the Super Bowl taking place today, I thought it would be fun to take a look back at the connection between football and comics. Comics have always tried to be relevant in pop culture, incorporating such things as politics, pop stars, and of course, sports. It hasn't always been the best representation of the sport, but football does certainly play a part in the history and mythos of the comic book world.
There are probably countless examples of American football in comics, but I'll just be pointing out a few for your reading pleasure. If you have more fond memories, share them in the comment section below.
I'd be remiss if I didn't open this article up with probably the most memorable and notable instance of football in comics: Peanuts.
Poor old Blockhead just could never get a break from mean-spirited little Lucy. Every time he'd go in for the kick, she'd pull the football away. And our little underdog was sadly so naive that he's been trying to kick that football for decades to no avail. Good grief!
Our good pal for many, many years, Archie, has also had his share of football stories. I always found it kind of odd that skinny little Archie, the musician, was on seemingly every sports team known to man, and still had time for a social life with two girls, but this is comics. And Archie is the man.
Recently, Archie had Michael Strahan guest-star in an issue as well. This appearance garnered a piece by FOX Sports on the issue.
We can't forget those classic Golden Age tales in Famous Funnies either, which ran various football covers in the 30s and 40s.
Disney got in the game (pun intended) as well many times, like this Walt Disney Comics cover featuring Donald Duck circa 1942.
Going back to the world of Archie for a minute, there was an odd old cover of Pep Comics where The Shield kicks a football drawn up to look like innocent Archie's head. The joke as indicated by the dialogue is obvious, but it's still an unusual sight.
Football is also apparently a good way to stop the criminals, or at least Batman thought so. Why use all those martial arts and gadgets when you can just kick a field goal upside a baddie's head?
Spider-Man's no stranger to the grid-iron either. In Amazing Spider-Man #153, Len Wein gave us the tale "The Longest Yard" about a former football player going to great lengths to save his daughter, while the football field turned into a giant battleground.
Spider-Man also got himself involved in another scrimage of sorts in a special Dallas Cowboys feature back in the 80s.
Anyone recall the New Universe? The original version, not the short-lived revival a few years ago. Well, Tom DeFalco actually introduced a series into that endeavor called Kickers, Inc., which featured a team of former football players. You don't believe me? Take a look.
Yep, that happened.
And speaking of Marvel and football themed comics, I don't think anyone can forget that gem of the 90s, NFL SuperPro. Guest-starring Spider-Man to kick off the series (another intended pun, natch), the book featured an ex-football player, Phil Grayfield, who became a superhero after a knee injury sidelined him from the game. In classic comic book fashion, a chemical fire and an indestructible uniform turned Grayfield into... SUPERPRO.
And there you have it, a look back at just a fraction of football-themed comics throughout the history of this great medium. I could go on to talk about Booster Gold, Superboy, Judge Dredd and many more, but I'll leave you with these for now.
Football fans, enjoy the Super Bowl today!
(JEFF PARKER / Florida Today)
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