Skateman: Worst Comic Ever?

[The Baron]

I was researching the year 1983 for my timeline when I came across mention of Skateman.  I've never actually seen it, myself - I believe I saw a mention of it in Jeff Rovin's Encyclopedia of Super-Heroes, and threw it into the timeline at a period when I was tossing stuff into it fairly indiscriminately.

 

Anyway, the info at the link above describes it as though it was one of the worst comics ever.  I'm always suspicious of claims like that. Oftentimes, it becomes popular to dump on something when it's not actually that bad.  On the other hand, sometimes things actually are as bad as people say they are.

 

So, has anyone actually seen this book? If so, what's it actually like?

[Dave Elyea]

If I recall correctly, the World's Worst Comic award actually went to Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man #1, with Skateman reduced to runner up. That said, I have read Skateman, and it is really awful, but only marginally worse that most of the Continuity Comics line (it's hard to top the whole "Crime-fighter was accused of a roller derby "murder" he did not commit" business.)

[Captain Comics]

And I find it REALLY hard to believe that anyone could fight in skates (at least fight anyone who's not in skates). Skates would be a liability in a street fight, not an advantage.

[ClarkKent_DC]

Dave Elyea said:

If I recall correctly, the World's Worst Comic award actually went to Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man #1, with Skateman reduced to runner up. That said, I have read Skateman, and it is really awful, but only marginally worse that most of the Continuity Comics line (it's hard to top the whole "Crime-fighter was accused of a roller derby "murder" he did not commit" business.)

Skateman #1 was named Worst Comic of All Time. Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man #1 was named the Worst Comic of 1990, indicating that World's Worst Comics Awards was meant to be an annual series or at least was not meant to be a one-shot deal. Unfortunately, it was a one-shot deal.

[Mark Sullivan (Vertiginous Mod)]

Maybe they ran out of bad comics to nominate...nah, what was I thinking.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

"And I find it REALLY hard to believe that anyone could fight in skates (at least fight anyone who's not in skates)."

Inter-company crossover idea: Skateman vs. Dazzler

First they fight, then they team up.

[Dave Elyea]

Now I remember--it was US-1 that was the red herring for "Worst Comic of the Year", and Skateman was the Worst Ever.  As for running out of bad comics to nominate, my guess would be the opposite--more bad comics than anyone could process without suffering the same brain damage as the Flaming Carrot!

ClarkKent_DC said:

Dave Elyea said:

If I recall correctly, the World's Worst Comic award actually went to Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man #1, with Skateman reduced to runner up. That said, I have read Skateman, and it is really awful, but only marginally worse that most of the Continuity Comics line (it's hard to top the whole "Crime-fighter was accused of a roller derby "murder" he did not commit" business.)

Skateman #1 was named Worst Comic of All Time. Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man #1 was named the Worst Comic of 1990, indicating that World's Worst Comics Awards was meant to be an annual series or at least was not meant to be a one-shot deal. Unfortunately, it was a one-shot deal.

[ClarkKent_DC]

Jeff of Earth-J said:

"And I find it REALLY hard to believe that anyone could fight in skates (at least fight anyone who's not in skates)."

Inter-company crossover idea: Skateman vs. Dazzler

First they fight, then they team up.

God help me, I might actually pay good, cash money to see that ...

[Detective 445]

ClarkKent_DC said:

Jeff of Earth-J said:

"And I find it REALLY hard to believe that anyone could fight in skates (at least fight anyone who's not in skates)."

Inter-company crossover idea: Skateman vs. Dazzler

First they fight, then they team up.

God help me, I might actually pay good, cash money to see that ...

Maybe they could team up with the AAU Shuperstar to take on Missile-Toe in an epic battle for the ages.

[Richard Willis]

Toe-main poison. Wow! Someone actually thought that up.

[Captain Comics]

"My toe is all uptight!"

No one -- NO ONE -- ever talked like that, even in the Summer of Love.

[Travis Herrick (Modular Mod)]

We could add Iron Fist to the mix as well. There was in issue of PM&IF were he fights some thugs in roller skates.

Detective 445 said:

ClarkKent_DC said:

Jeff of Earth-J said:

"And I find it REALLY hard to believe that anyone could fight in skates (at least fight anyone who's not in skates)."

Inter-company crossover idea: Skateman vs. Dazzler

First they fight, then they team up.

God help me, I might actually pay good, cash money to see that ...

Maybe they could team up with the AAU Shuperstar to take on Missile-Toe in an epic battle for the ages.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Iron Man has roller skates, too (although he doesn't use them very often).