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Things to go away in 2013
SolitaireRose
Posts: 1,445
OK, Gawker has a snarky article on things that need to go away in 2013 here.
So, I know this could turn ugly, but let's play nice and list some things we want to see go away in 2013 that have to do with comics:
1) Hating a comic before it comes out. "Superior Spider-Man is going to suck, I just know it and therefor I won't buy it!" Hey, not everything sounds like a good idea. Then again,. a kids movie about a farm boy who blows up a space station and learns to be a zen mystic warrior sounded pretty damn stupid in 1977. Let's wait until the comic actually comes out before we declare it to be the Worst Thing Ever.
2) Breaking the Internet in half. You know what broke the internet in half in the past? NOTHING.
3) Parody Comics. Watchmench. Ecch-Men. And so on and so on. I know there aren't many now, but the few that do come out are unfunny and make comics shops cry because no one cares. Please. Stop.
4) This Changes Everything! No. No it doesn't.
5) Podcasts getting into "feuds". I'm kind of serious about this one. I am going to get nostalgic for a minute: In the early days of comics podcasting, it really felt like a real community. People were helping each other, building communities and cross promoting. Somehow, it feels more like little fiefdoms, and people looking for reasons not to get along. Let's all decide as a community that we all love us some funny books, and while we may agree on what we like, we can all agree on a few things, and one of them is that we're all brother and sisters in comics, and if we aren't going to build each other up, we can at least not all tear each other down. It ain't morning radio, we aren't in competition and if you don't like what someone is doing, wish them well and MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE. We used to have a saying on Barbelith: Only Good Things. I'm gonna try to live that way.
6) Treating creators like shite. Getting fired via e-mail. Crapping all over their work at a convention right in front of them. Calling someone a hack. Look, you may not like their work, but everyone in comics has a fan. Everyone. Even Rob Liefeld. You can explain why you don't like someone's work, but "Don Heck is the worst artist ever, he shouldn't ever get work again" is a BS statement. Saying that creators don't matter and the characters are all anyone cares about. Changing scripts after they've been approved and turned in without letting the creators know you are completely changing the story. Did the 90's teach us nothing?
7) Using the word "Swag". OK, this has nothing to do with comics, but when people my age use it, they have no concept of what it means, so unless you are 18 or less QUIT IT, JUST QUIT IT!
So, I know this could turn ugly, but let's play nice and list some things we want to see go away in 2013 that have to do with comics:
1) Hating a comic before it comes out. "Superior Spider-Man is going to suck, I just know it and therefor I won't buy it!" Hey, not everything sounds like a good idea. Then again,. a kids movie about a farm boy who blows up a space station and learns to be a zen mystic warrior sounded pretty damn stupid in 1977. Let's wait until the comic actually comes out before we declare it to be the Worst Thing Ever.
2) Breaking the Internet in half. You know what broke the internet in half in the past? NOTHING.
3) Parody Comics. Watchmench. Ecch-Men. And so on and so on. I know there aren't many now, but the few that do come out are unfunny and make comics shops cry because no one cares. Please. Stop.
4) This Changes Everything! No. No it doesn't.
5) Podcasts getting into "feuds". I'm kind of serious about this one. I am going to get nostalgic for a minute: In the early days of comics podcasting, it really felt like a real community. People were helping each other, building communities and cross promoting. Somehow, it feels more like little fiefdoms, and people looking for reasons not to get along. Let's all decide as a community that we all love us some funny books, and while we may agree on what we like, we can all agree on a few things, and one of them is that we're all brother and sisters in comics, and if we aren't going to build each other up, we can at least not all tear each other down. It ain't morning radio, we aren't in competition and if you don't like what someone is doing, wish them well and MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE. We used to have a saying on Barbelith: Only Good Things. I'm gonna try to live that way.
6) Treating creators like shite. Getting fired via e-mail. Crapping all over their work at a convention right in front of them. Calling someone a hack. Look, you may not like their work, but everyone in comics has a fan. Everyone. Even Rob Liefeld. You can explain why you don't like someone's work, but "Don Heck is the worst artist ever, he shouldn't ever get work again" is a BS statement. Saying that creators don't matter and the characters are all anyone cares about. Changing scripts after they've been approved and turned in without letting the creators know you are completely changing the story. Did the 90's teach us nothing?
7) Using the word "Swag". OK, this has nothing to do with comics, but when people my age use it, they have no concept of what it means, so unless you are 18 or less QUIT IT, JUST QUIT IT!
Comments
But seriously, folks, can we be done with relaunches? Stop treating continuity like its a bad thing.
“It′s all arranged about bringing off the swag, is it?” asked the Jew. Sikes nodded.
Awhile back I saw Henry Rollins and he hit me with something that really changed my outlook on a lot of things we fanboys like to do: Gripe about shit. Hank basically said: "Just because you don't like something doesn't inherently mean it's awful or not worthy of consideration by everyone else. It has more to do with you, your attitudes, and your prejudices. In other words: Music today doesn't suck...YOU suck. Movies today don't suck...YOU suck. Fashions today don't suck...YOU suck."
I tend to agree with Hank on this one. I've taken to trying to stop saying things "suck" or that I "hate" them. Instead I've been saying "It's not for me."
;)
And when you say "Hank" I picture the guy from King of the Hill, not Henry Rollins.
1) Variant Covers - Every now and then I see one that catches my eye and I'm like "Damn fine piece of art". Then I remember the book will likely be traded and I can get said cover art in a more sturdy volume for pretty much the cost of the variant cover book. One or two is acceptable. Ten? Come on, man! 2) Old Fans Hating on New Fans - Yes, I chuckle when I hear someone tell me at a con that they've loved Dr. Who since the beginning - and they mean Christopher Eccleston! - but I don't think any less of them...I'm just happy Dr. Who has another fan out there keeping interest in the show alive.
3) Fearing Change - The New 52 doesn't suck. I think many of us want it to, but I've found more to embrace about it than I have to shun. For the first time in my life I'm willingly putting out coin to read Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and the Legion of Super Heroes. I'm back to absolutely LOVING Batman again. And my favorite book features two DC characters I have never really enjoyed - Etrigan and Vandal Savage. I've only received my first few Marvel Now issues, but I've already got Hulk and FF on my regular must read stack, and high hopes for Thunderbolts.
4) As of 01/01/13 - Doing Prints of Licensed Characters - I will still and always sketch anything anyone wants of any character at a convention, or by commission, and I've got big plans for a Ms. Marvel/Power Girl painting project over the holiday break, but one of my New Year's Resolutions is to start owning up to the idea that me and Flint have created some really fun original characters, and it's time to give them their due.
Seriously, how do you not wanna hit that? :)
5) Promoting the Holy Living Hell out of the new Event/Cover/Storyline so far in Advance that when it Actually Hits it has the Impact of a Wet Sponge hitting a Cement Wall - I realize this is the Internet Age and Pandora's Box has been opened and can't be re-shut, but I do miss the days when we *didn't* know what was coming around the corner. I pine for the times when things weren't as accessible as they are now. We've kind of lost a bit of our wonder, and companies have to work twice as hard to keep it...problem is, the companies are usually the worst offenders when it comes to spoiling the cool stuff.
Also very much in favor of not insulting artists. I recently wrote a review of a comic on my blog for a comic that I really did not care for the art. But I tried to maintain a reasonable tone, be respectful. Because its pretty clear the artist doesn't "suck", I just didn't like or understand some of the choices he made.
It has much improved - but there is still room for abatement
2. Extremely advanced solicitations (l believe the DC archives Teen titans vol two was solicited 7 or 8 months in advance of release)
3. People (retailers) complaining how the business is changing for the worse. Digital is here. Get used to it. Publishers are in the business of making money for themselves not LCS.
4. Collectors mentaility. If you do not like a book or a title is no longer enjoyable, stop buying it/ don't buy it.
:-O
But Mary Marvel's the worst... seems like there are shocking number of sickos out there who like to draw her gettin' it from her own brother. :-&
Also, can we separate the two as different universes? Nick Fury is Sam Jackson in the movies and Ultimates, so unless there was a merger of Ultimates and 616, keep it THAT way. And Robert Downey, Jr doesn't write Robert Downey, Jr he IS Robert Downey, Jr. SO, the comics should stop TRYING to write Robert Downey, Jr/Tony Stark.
M
Mostly when I see it, the person saying it comes off as a prick, regardless if they are right or wrong.
I'm sick and tired of my opinions being dismissed out of hand because of the idea of, "well, you were never going to like it anyway because you liked the way it used to be and you are a dinosaur and will soon die and not matter anymore."
And, perhaps we can get rid of the idea that because someone doesn't like one aspect of a project automatically means they are "dumping" on an entire project?
I, for one, would love to freely express an opinion on a costume change without someone jumping down my throat for condemning an entire project. I am a complicated individual and have the ability to like and to dislike different aspects of a single project. I know, I know... it is a wonder and mystery, this skill set I have, but, I believe, not an uncommon skill set.
Recently a friend of mine asked me if I thought he should be allowed to make fun of a co-worker because she said she liked Doctor Who but hadn't ever seen a Tom Baker story. I've been a Whovian for longer than him, so that granted me decision-making rights, he figured. I just kinda stared at him for a few seconds and told him "NO! Of course not!" May have even yelled it, actually. He likes Who, she likes Who, close enough, common ground achieved, the Dork Forest is a safe and welcoming space, etc.
Geeks is geeks, we all have something we enthuse too much about, so let's let that bring us together rather than drive an already fractured society apart. Not saying we have to gather round in a circle singing Kumbaya (unless it involves making up new lyrics about the 6th Doctor's coat or something), but let's just all enjoy what we enjoy and let other people do the same!
Add to that the fact that it shows the "common wisdom" is wrong and comics CAN bring in new readers. Yep, there's some stuff I love being wrong about.
Say this in the voice of the "Rent is too damn high" presidential candidate from a year or so back. :)