Kiss This!

I like music! Most music anyway, not big on country. Bad hang-ups on country. Being a music liker and a comic book guru I've noticed you don't see the genres cross all that much. Black Canary is in a band and Dazzler is a pop star superhero, but there has to be something more. A deeper connection. I found that connection. And it felt like a Kiss.

In 1971, two aspiring musicians named Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley left the band Wicked Lester in search for a new direction in the rock and roll industry. Gene and Paul found a drummer for their new band in an ad in Rolling Stone magazine and upon first glance of his talent, Peter Criss was brought in. After his first audition lead guitarist Ace Frehley also impressed Gene and Paul and earned his spot on the band. Funny enough he wore two unmatched shoes to his audition. Given Peter's past experience in a band called "Lips" the men decided on the new band name "Kiss". Kiss became legends of the music industry known for their catchy and outrageous music, but Kiss' most notable feature was their presentation. Costumes, face paint, the use of smoke, flashing lights, sparks, and even pillars of fire. They were the definition of rock and roll. But for as edgy as they were it was clear each member put their heart into the look of the band.
Each member of Kiss chose a mantle to take on when they performed, in comic book fashion they took names reflective of themselves: Paul Stanley became "The Starchild" as he was often referred to as a hopeless romantic and a starry-eyed lover. Gene Simmons was "The Demon" as he had a dark sense of humor and a cynical mindset. Ace Frehley chose "The Space Ace" because he loved science-fiction and technology. Peter Criss was known as "The Catman" as he believed he had nine lives after the experiences he had growing up in a tough neighborhood. The band's second drummer Eric Carr would be known as "The Fox" and their second guitarist Vinnie Vincent used the identity of "The Ankh Warrior".
Though my complete knowledge of Kiss' career is limited to online research and my attention span, I know for a fact their popularity earned them a place in all forms of pop culture, including comic books! Believe it or not, Kiss first appeared in comic book fashion in Marvel Comic's "Howard The Duck #12 & #13". Howard-the goddamn-Duck. In 1977 Kiss got their own Marvel comic special titled "A Marvel Comics Super Special #1: Kiss". As if the fan excitement wasn't enough someone in the band came up with idea of including their own blood in the ink for the comic. I AM DEAD SERIOUS. Kiss got a police escort to Marvel's Printing Plant and-in front of a live audience-each member of Kiss drew blood with the assistance of a certified nurse and their blood was mixed into the ink used to draw the Kiss comic book. At that point it didn't matter if that comic was good or not because the blood of Kiss was in the comic. Just like their music Kiss poured themselves into this book and immortalized their place among comic book history.
Other comic book publishers would continue to make non-bloody comic book series based off Kiss that would keep their notoriety up in the comic book medium. Revolutionary Comics did five books, Image Comics did a thirty-issue series plus six single stories, Dark Horse Comics did thirteen issues, Platinum Studios did a nine-issue series and four single issues. Kiss crossed over into Archie Comics for four issues. IDW Comics did an eight-issue series as well as a crossover with "Mars Attacks", a series called "Kiss Kids" and a four-issue series focusing on the individual members of the band.
Given the mythology, the pride, and the legacy of Kiss I'm not surprised publishers keeping making comics about them. I'm willing to bet that's how the individual members make their money these days. I guess the thing that surprises me is how Marvel never tried that idea again. Sure their blood may not be the cleanest anymore, but if the members of Kiss love comic books why hasn't Marvel made them a permanent part of their universe. Imagine how cool that would be! In every other universe Kiss is a band, but in the Marvel Universe they're a band AND a superhero team! If Marvel's not going to use The Fantastic Four anymore than here is a good replacement. Let Kiss be immortalized as a unique feature of Marvel. Let Kiss be the next big Marvel team! Let Kiss get a movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Each of their character's already has an origin. Gene is a demon, Paul is a destined prodigy, Ace is an alien, and Peter is a survivor of the streets. They can fight concerned parents! I do hope Kiss continues to have a presence in comic books and maybe can have on last hurrah alongside Marvel's greatest heroes!
Thanks for reading.
Party on, Wayne.