CNN: Comically Nefarious Nemesis?

Did Stan Lee assume the photo editor position at CNN? Did Marvel Comics purchase the news giant and I just missed the memo? Or has Central Casting really taken over our nation’s criminal underworld to produce bad guys who look like someone that Captain America should punch out?

I mean, first, there were those creepy photos of John Mark Karr. His head seems a little too big for his body, the buttoned-up shirt helps cement his nerd status, but those eyes and that look are the stuff that Boo Radley nightmares are made of.

And now, the photos from the capture of William Morva in Blacksburg, VA seem more suited to the X-Men than the state police.

Dramatically protuding jawline, full-on mutton-chops, hairy chest… get a can of spray paint and this guy could pass for Hank McCoy (aka Beast) from The X-Men. Granted, the fictional character is a good guy and the real criminal is accused of murder, but still the resemblance to the comic book character is striking. This photo of Kelsey Grammar portraying Beast in the film version isn’t quite as close a match as the comic book, but you get the point.

Maybe CNN is being more sensational in their photo selection. Maybe our celebrity-obsessed culture is producing more “photogenic” criminals. I don’t know. But I’m certain that next week, we’ll see some dude get arrested for shoplifting burritos from 7-11 while wearing a metal mask and a green tunic from the local Renaissance Fair.