All October long I will be exploring the context behind (using reader danjack's term) "meta-messages." A meta-message is where a comic book creator comments on/references the work of another comic book/comic book creator in their comic. Each time around, I'll give you the context behind one such "meta-message." Here is an archive of the past installments!

Based on a suggestion from my pal Peter, let's take a look at E-Man #3, a parody of the Dark Phoenix Saga by Marty Pasko and Joe Staton titled, "Dark Albatross Must Be Rendered Inoperative, Lifewise"

As you can see, the whole thing is meant to spoof the style of the X-Men comics of the era, right down to the lettering!

Dave Cockrum and Chris Claremont appear here...

Pasko mocks the thought balloons of the X-Men characters....

E-Man is after his friend, who has been kidnapped to be the Phoenix of the X-Men (or rather, Albatross of the F-Men). This goes poorly...

Note the biting Marvel parodies at the end.

In the end of the story, Fairmont signs away his rights to the F-Men to Marvel, in exchange for high royalties but no ownership. A pretty sharp statement.