After Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada announced that Stephen Colbert is still running for president in the Marvel Universe, we decided to follow up by contacting a reporter in that universe for updates on his campaign:

Palin Comparison to Skrulls Offends Colbert

Ken Ellis, DB Staff Reporter

Naming Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska as his vice-presidential running mate was a controversial decision for John McCain, to say the least. However, some could argue that one of Gov. Palin's biggest supporters emerged not from the floor of the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, but from a McCain opponent for the Oval Office — none other than Stephen Colbert.

"Mr. Colbert has been greatly troubled over the increasing paranoia that is being conveyed to our nation these days," said Colbert spokesperson Tracy Dugan Tuesday. "No sooner is Gov. Palin declared as McCain's running mate than so-called 'political experts' start questioning the idea that she could be a Skrull. And all of that has come about because of unsubstantiated rumors that these aliens may have been among us much longer than anyone realized, and may have tried infiltrating positions in our government. It's twenty-first century McCarthyism."

Ironically, both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions have only added fuel to rumors that have spread like wildfire. Why else would operatives from S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Hazard Intervention, Espionage Logistics Directorate) have been in full force at both events, with scanning equipment which they claim can detect the alien shape-shifters? S.H.I.E.L.D claims that they did not detect any Skrull activity at either convention, but the process of having every person in attendance go through these scanners resulted in delays for numerous proceedings and events.

As for McCain's choice of running mate, the announcement created such a national furor that it's little surprise his detractors — particularly in Democratic circles — would attach the notion of "Skrullduggery" to the previously little-known Gov. Palin. And it's a move that a Colbert statement describes as "reprehensible."

"If you want to say that Senator McCain and Governor Palin aren't properly addressing the nation's issues, fine," Dugan said. "If you want to bring up the reports of Gov. Palin's pending deposition for abusing her office for personal favors, that's fair game. But calling her a Skrull when the nation doesn't know the first thing about her, or last week's digitally altered campaign posters that suggest Senator Barack Obama is a Skrull, that's just dirty pool. And Mr. Colbert doesn't play that way."

For a special Colbert easter egg, check out Amazing Spider-Girl #24, on sale now.

Secret Invasion #13, X-Factor #33, Eternals #2, Punisher War Journal #21, She-Hulk #30 X-Factor #32, Amazing Spider-Man #562 Secret Invasion #3, Ms. Marvel #27 and She-Hulk #29, Incredible Hercules #117, X-Men: Legacy #211, Young X-Men #2, Amazing Spider-Man #556, She Hulk #28, Incredible Hercules #116, Amazing Spider-Man #556, Secret Invasion #1