Five Misguided PSA Comic's

I talked about PSA's the other day but there are other kinds besides those aimed at children on Saturday morning. PSA's can be seen for adults also, movie theatres often run psa's before movies, and the radio can be chalk full of public service announcements. Yet another area that always interested me is comic books. This is when an entire comic is trying to raise awareness for a good cause, and advertising at the same time.

 

I guess it makes sense, kids are likely to pick up any issue that has their favorite character on it even if it is a deliberate advertisement. And yes, a PSA is still an advertisement even if the goal is more sincere. Though some PSA's are less subtle than others. It's actually quite a genre, but once in awhile the comic misses the mark. There will be a goofy element, or just a lame story, which takes the well meaning PSA and turns into a joke because of how silly it is. Here are some examples:

Heroes Against Hunger

In the 80's one of the biggest problems was the famine in Africa, and there were lots of efforts to assist with that. From "We are the World" to this PSA comic in which everyone at DC had a handle in. The problem with the issue is that they created a generic super villain to fight, called "The Master" or some nonsense, which I think was a mistake. It's fine to have a bad guy like a gangster or something realistic but when it's a sci fi based villain like here or aliens as in other PSA's you're diminishing the problem. Then Lex tries to fix the problem with science but is told the situation is to messed up for that. 

New Teen Titans Anti Drug Giveaway

This was a promotional comic brought to us by Keebler, which is why Robin isn't in it. It's a long story. There were three that were actually made but I only read two of them. One is pretty good, with testimonials and the story stays on point. The second is lamer, almst feeling lke a backdoor pilot for a different comic entirely. If you're gonna have a comic about the Titans, maybe have them in it? The third one is even better with Raven tripping out as she tries to save a kid. Wonderful. 

Spider-Man/Fantastic Four-Brain Drain!

Man is this stupid. PSA's can cover lots of areas and in this case it was celebrating teachers. Ok that sounds good, teachers are important and all. However the story is just plain ludicrous with Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four needing to be rescued by random teachers using rubber band balls plus a ridiculous scheme by Dr.Doom. Also while every PSA has a corporate sponsor but this one isn't even subtle about it!!

Supergirl and Seat Belts

There were two both infamous because the story is all over the place. In one we have a crazy story of supergirl having to go inside her boyfriends mind after he had an accident without a seatbelt. There are movie parodies and it makes no sense. The second involved kids getting into an accident, but its ok because it was all a dream anyway. I am not even gonna try to explain the goofiness with the fairy tale characters. This goes from educating kids to talking down to them, and are both famous for being really lame. 

Captain America Return of the Asthma Monster

This is the second of two issues regarding the asthma monster. He's just a guy who has asthma that wants to give to everyone for reasons. Honestly the villain makes no sense and obviously stands no chance against Captain America. What makes this misguided is the ending, which does a total 180 on the villain. Despite refusing to take his meds all his life, he's suddenly interested in taking them! I get wanting a positive ending but this one is just to much and makes no sense. 

Finally you have misguided then you have this: 

This is a story about aliens who want teenage children, like 15 years old, to have unprotected sex so they can steal the babies and make them child laborers on their home planet . WTF???????? 

Lots more out there I forgot, did I miss your favorite?