|
The Badger was a comic book series created by writer Mike Baron in 1982.
The series was a madcap combination of genres; something of a spoof on super-heroes, with plenty of magic/fantasy thrown in. The lead character was Norbert Sykes, a Viet Nam veteran suffering form multiple personality disorder. One of his personalities was martial arts expert The Badger, who could talk to animals. Supporting characters included Norbert's caseworker, and an 8th-century wizard named Ham who derived his power from sacrificing animals. Ham would use his power to influence markets and generate wealth for himself; occasionally his supernatural dealings would bring him into conflict with demons, whom the Badger would then be called upon to fight. Occasionally the Badger would notice that Ham was sacrificing innocent animals, and would become enraged.
The series was somewhat controversial. It was a zany stew of ideas: always violent, often gory (Ham's sacrifices), and occasionally tasteless. Some objected to the series' use of the mentally ill as subjects for comedy. Others regard The Badger as one of the funniest super-hero comic series of all time.
Along with Mike Baron's other pet project Nexus, The Badger had an interesting publishing history. It was initially released by Capital Comics; but Capital went under financially. The series found a new publisher in First Comics, which continued the issue numbering (ie, they didn't start over with a new #1, they just used the next issue number).
Notable artists who worked on The Badger in its 80s run included Chas Truog, Jackson Guice and Ron Lim.
Badger was revived in the late 90s in two limited series, one of them with art by Jill Thompson (also known for her work on Sandman and The Invisibles).
What? Put on a costume and fight crime in the streets? You'd have to be crazy! THE BADGER
- Capital Comics house ad, circa 1982
Personalites of the Badger
- Norbert Sykes: This is his legal identity.
- Badger: A martial arts expert costumed vigilante dispensing justice according to his own warped perceptions.
- Pierre: Homicidal personality that speaks with a French accent. First appeared while Sykes was escaping from the POW camp.
- Leroy: A dog. Sykes had a dog named Leroy who his step-father beat to death.
- Emily: Nine year old girl. Related to childhood abuse at the hands of Sykes stepfather.
- Gastineau Grover Depaul: Inner city African American
- Max Swell: Architect. Early on Max was written as an sophisticated playboy but it seemed to morph into stereotypical gay for later stories.
| 
