WP2: Pre-Write 2

In viewing Qwantz number 944, it is interesting to take note of what was happening in the outside world when Ryan North was creating this particular entry. Going back through his site's records, this issue was released on January 5, 2007, which gives the reader a good place to begin chronologically. But what kind of exciting events were surrounding this time in Canada and abroad?
Earth Observatory has quite a full list of natural goings-on around this date. This includes earthquakes, disease outbreaks and a healthy amount of global climate worries. Looking centrally at Canada, though, the list is staggeringly small; "Canada Worrying About Plunging Caribou Population." Somehow it seems hard to draw a line between T-Rex's superhero, Lee, and some caribou quandary. HavenWorks.com references struggles about the Iraq War and the race for the 2008 US Presidential election. Again, not much to do with Stan Lee-type dreams, or even Canada in itself. Perhaps, then, our views are yet too wide.
On the whole, Dinosaur Comics are quite light-hearted, and very rarely make comment toward major world issues. North chooses, instead, to keep his characters mainly grounded in their own world, thinking more about the challenges that befall everyone (and, more often than not, everyone with as free a spirit as T-Rex). On top of this, the author also coats his work with a fine line of pop-culture references and internet memes. So let us take a look at what was going on in the world, in a less grave sense.
Taking a quick look through the tubes we call the Internet, a refresher course on the major movie releases of the previous year may give the audience a bit more information. 2006 was a major year for comic book and superhero-based movies. Early in the year saw the release of V for Vendetta, X-Men: The Last Stand, followed by Superman Returns, and My Super Ex-Girlfriend (not inspired by any work, but enough within the genre to make some count in the film culture). This series of films only invigorated producers to keep on with strong titles from Marvel syndicates, and add on many, many other works featuring tight-wearing crime fighters. Being a comic book nerd was suddenly kind of "in," and being a writer with a good creation even better. And that is really what T-Rex is working for in this particular strip; a way to break into this new and budding market. With what he believes to be such an amazing and interesting character, the big green guy hopes to bring his own intellectual property to the forefront and make it in the new superhero-saturated market.Of course, with a work like “Super Lee,” it is somewhat hard to take him seriously. In looking back on the history of the genre, though, is it truly that outrageous? The biggest names in caped crusaders are an awkward teen with the powers of a bug most people revile and kill on sight, the literal interpretation of the works of Nietzsche, an aged orphan who uses high-tech toys and a gravely voice against his foes, and a short, hairy man with claws made of some made-up metal. Not the most amazing creations when broken down, so perhaps our prehistoric friend does have a chance with his adverb-wielding warrior.