Splash Brannigan
Encyclopedia
Splash Brannigan is a fictional humorous
superhero
. He was created by Alan Moore
and Hilary Barta
. His first appearance
was Issue #6 (February 2000) of the anthology series Tomorrow Stories
from America's Best Comics, a title he would continue to appear in on a semi-regular basis.
He also appeared in the America's Best Comics 64-Page Giant in a story drawn by Kyle Baker
and as a member of America's Best and appeared alongside them in the final story arcs of Promethea
and Tom Strong
. During this crossover it appears that he may have died, though his ultimate fate is uncertain.
Splash is a being of living 4-dimensional ink
(he leaves marks on everything he touches) who is renowned for his bombastic personality and ludicrous proclamations of his aptitude as a hero. As he is made of Ink he can change into any shape. He is apparently immortal
, with long periods spent in hibernation
in his ink-pot. He is invariably accompanied by a female companion who has changed over the years of his life. He lives in the fictional city of Coffeeburg where he is accompanied by Ms. Daisy Screensaver, a comic book artist for the curmudgeonly publisher Sydney J. Kaput.
's canine boyfriend), a 1930's cartoon
character who is brought to life in a movie theatre. Accused of plagiarism
, Splash is nearly defeated until he tells Bunko what he is doing is in fact a tribute. As he and his companion leave the theatre they encounter what appears to be DC Comic's Plastic Man
. This story has Moore acknowledging the inspirations behind Splash, as well as displaying self depreciating humour (i.e. that he is in fact merely copying earlier works).
Humour
Humour or humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
. He was created by Alan Moore
Alan Moore
Alan Oswald Moore is an English writer primarily known for his work in comic books, a medium where he has produced a number of critically acclaimed and popular series, including Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell...
and Hilary Barta
Hilary Barta
Hilary Barta is an American comic book writer and artist.-Biography:Barta was born on June 17, 1957. His first comics work came in June 1982, when he helped legendary Marvel inkers Al Milgrom, Joe Sinnott and Sal Trapani provide inks for the pencils of Don Perlin on The Defenders #108...
. His first appearance
First appearance
In comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first occurrence to feature a fictional character.-Monetary value of first appearance issues:...
was Issue #6 (February 2000) of the anthology series Tomorrow Stories
Tomorrow Stories
Tomorrow Stories was an American comic book series created by Alan Moore for his America's Best Comics line, published by Wildstorm .-Overview:...
from America's Best Comics, a title he would continue to appear in on a semi-regular basis.
He also appeared in the America's Best Comics 64-Page Giant in a story drawn by Kyle Baker
Kyle Baker
Kyle John Baker is an American cartoonist, comic book writer-artist, and animator known for his graphic novels and for a 2000s revival of the series Plastic Man....
and as a member of America's Best and appeared alongside them in the final story arcs of Promethea
Promethea
Promethea is a comic book series created by Alan Moore, J. H. Williams III and Mick Gray, published by America's Best Comics/WildStorm....
and Tom Strong
Tom Strong
Tom Strong is a comic book created by writer Alan Moore and artist Chris Sprouse initially published bi-monthly by America's Best Comics, an imprint of DC Comics' Wildstorm division.-Background:Tom Strong, the title character, is a "science hero"...
. During this crossover it appears that he may have died, though his ultimate fate is uncertain.
Splash is a being of living 4-dimensional ink
Ink
Ink is a liquid or paste that contains pigments and/or dyes and is used to color a surface to produce an image, text, or design. Ink is used for drawing and/or writing with a pen, brush, or quill...
(he leaves marks on everything he touches) who is renowned for his bombastic personality and ludicrous proclamations of his aptitude as a hero. As he is made of Ink he can change into any shape. He is apparently immortal
Immortality
Immortality is the ability to live forever. It is unknown whether human physical immortality is an achievable condition. Biological forms have inherent limitations which may or may not be able to be overcome through medical interventions or engineering...
, with long periods spent in hibernation
Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals conserve food, especially during winter when food supplies are limited, tapping energy reserves, body fat, at a slow rate...
in his ink-pot. He is invariably accompanied by a female companion who has changed over the years of his life. He lives in the fictional city of Coffeeburg where he is accompanied by Ms. Daisy Screensaver, a comic book artist for the curmudgeonly publisher Sydney J. Kaput.
Inspirations
In the ABC's 64-Page Giant, Splash battles Bunko the Dog (a parody of Bimbo, Betty BoopBetty Boop
Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick. She originally appeared in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop film series, which were produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. She has also been featured in...
's canine boyfriend), a 1930's cartoon
Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of two-dimensional illustrated visual art. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic drawing or painting intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or to the artistic style of such works...
character who is brought to life in a movie theatre. Accused of plagiarism
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined in dictionaries as the "wrongful appropriation," "close imitation," or "purloining and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as one's own original work, but the notion remains problematic with nebulous...
, Splash is nearly defeated until he tells Bunko what he is doing is in fact a tribute. As he and his companion leave the theatre they encounter what appears to be DC Comic's Plastic Man
Plastic Man
Plastic Man is a fictional comic-book superhero originally published by Quality Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Jack Cole, he first appeared in Police Comics #1 ....
. This story has Moore acknowledging the inspirations behind Splash, as well as displaying self depreciating humour (i.e. that he is in fact merely copying earlier works).