Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.

Things to go away in 2014

I started a thread like this last year, and as this year comes to a close, I figured I would do it again. This is my list of things I want to see go away in 2014:

- People saying that cosplayers and women cosplayers in particular aren't "true fans". Anyone who spends a lot of time to dress up like a character in a movie, TV show or comic book and go to a fan gathering is a "true fan". Anyone who watched Iron Man 3 and liked it is a "true fan". Anyone who read a Richie Rich comic as a kid and goes to a shop to buy a trade paperback of the character is a "true fan." Let's embrace anyone who wanders into our clubhouse and greet them as a friend. THAT is how to be a "true fan".

-Market manipulation. This year, there were quite a few times it felt like 1994 all over again, and the talk of investing in comics is popping up. Stop it. Investors don't grow a market. Buy what you like and like what you buy. Every time you buy a comic, you're voting on what they will do more of, so if you buy the ultra-shiny rare cover with the new character because it's going for $50 on eBay, it means more of that will be produced.

-"Company" fans. I like Marvel a lot. I started reading them at age 12, I know their universe best, and I can give you detail on their obscure characters...but that doesn't mean I buy the books I don't enjoy, I don't buy books from Dark Horse, Image and Oni. I don't follow universes, I follow creators, and I have a feeling that the people who buy books to "keep up with the universe" are feeling the pinch int he wallet.

-Hating on things before they come out. Yeah, I know, we're fans, so we're like that, but it is time to stop. I don't know if the Walking Dead spinoff will be good or not and neither do you. I don't know if Ben Afflec will be a good Batman and neither do you. I don't know if a comic coming out in 2015 will be any good or not. So, let's just wait until the stuff drops before we hate on it.

-Miley Cyrus's tongue. Geez, lady, whoever told you it was sexy was kidding.

-Creepy hypersexualized books about children's characters. Ew. Ew ew ew ew ew. A note to the people who do these, you ain't Alan Moore and your "Alice in Wonderland" soft-porn is more like a 70's exploitation movie than "Lost Girls."

-Speaking of Alan Moore, can we all quit getting mad when he gives an interview that he doesn't like super-hero comics? It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it. He got screwed over by both of the major super-hero publishers, so maybe he's a bit bitter...

-The phrase "And things will never be the same" and its variants. We get it, you have a story with a big event in it. I read crime novels, so there's nothing you will do in a super-hero book to the protagonist that tops the stuff I've read. Tell me a good story and I wont' care where everyone is at the end of it.

-Fans saying "I can't believe they canceled such-and-such book...why?" Mark Evanier said back int he 70's that comics get canceled for one reason and one reason alone: Sales were not high enough to generate the profit the company wanted. There are some books that sell fairly well that get canceled because the creative teams get high dollars...if Jim Lee is working on a comic that sells 40,000 a month, that book is doomed, while is Joe Bronie is drawing it, it will keep going. Simple economics.

-People who don't have FUN with their hobby. Please, if your hobby isn't fun, don't do it. Life's too short.
«13

Comments

  • MattMatt Posts: 4,457
    If you do away with these things, then the FUN is out of the hobby!

    - What about if you're character driven over company or writer? I like what I like, so I spend my cash on what I want to read. Right now, that's with Dynamite Entertainment. It's not because of any specific loyalty, but I enjoy reading the Shadow. Since there are several books released by DE, I'm sticking with the company.

    - Deducing issues with future movies, books, etc is no different then deducing them to be 'awesome.' Same information, just different perspectives. If 'we' did not voice concerns, conversations would be very one-side (and why only the positive on that one side), stuff like political and sports shows wouldn't even exist.

    Discussing how the Patriots aren't Super Bowl contenders after each game because of injuries and a weaken defensive line, despite winning games, is something I listen to each day of the week on Boston sports radio. Seeing why Obama is/isn't hurting this country is something I see daily on my twitter feed.

    M
  • WetRatsWetRats Posts: 6,314

    -Speaking of Alan Moore, can we all quit getting mad when he gives an interview that he doesn't like super-hero comics? It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it. He got screwed over by both of the major super-hero publishers, so maybe he's a bit bitter...

    Here's an alternative: Why don't we stop interviewing Alan Mordru?
  • WetRatsWetRats Posts: 6,314

    I started a thread like this last year, and as this year comes to a close, I figured I would do it again. This is my list of things I want to see go away in 2014:

    [snip]

    -People who don't have FUN with their hobby. Please, if your hobby isn't fun, don't do it. Life's too short.

    Am I the only one who sees irony here?
  • -Hating on things before they come out. Yeah, I know, we're fans, so we're like that, but it is time to stop. I don't know if the Walking Dead spinoff will be good or not and neither do you. I don't know if Ben Affleck will be a good Batman and neither do you. I don't know if a comic coming out in 2015 will be any good or not. So, let's just wait until the stuff drops before we hate on it.

    Are we talking about HATING vs having an opinion of a casting decision based on an actor's previous screen work? Because even though I am not a fan of the casting decision I am still going to see the movie but Batflec has to blow me away. But to to be fair I was going to see that Runner Runner movie of his that bombed when it comes out on DVD because that I thought that role might show a different side of him.

    I just want to differentiate myself somewhat from the death-threat nuts.


    Stuff I don't want to see in 2014?

    Any of the bad crap I experienced in 2013.
    Yes, Miley Cyrus's tongue could go back in her pie-hole.
    The real fan crap could go away because the "non-fans" are what keeps Walking Dead on TV and the movies we want made into the theater.
  • WetRats said:

    -Speaking of Alan Moore, can we all quit getting mad when he gives an interview that he doesn't like super-hero comics? It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it. He got screwed over by both of the major super-hero publishers, so maybe he's a bit bitter...

    Here's an alternative: Why don't we stop interviewing Alan Mordru?
    Most of the interviews are with people outside of comics, and Moore has mainstream books and other projects coming out...

  • WetRatsWetRats Posts: 6,314

    WetRats said:

    -Speaking of Alan Moore, can we all quit getting mad when he gives an interview that he doesn't like super-hero comics? It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it. He got screwed over by both of the major super-hero publishers, so maybe he's a bit bitter...

    Here's an alternative: Why don't we stop interviewing Alan Mordru?
    Most of the interviews are with people outside of comics, and Moore has mainstream books and other projects coming out...
    And yet somehow they always end up talking about comics...
  • CaptShazamCaptShazam Posts: 1,178
    1. Extremely advanced solicitations in most cases (I can understand it for big ticket items like Absolutes to see if there is demand)

    2. Publishers not releasing things on time.

    (the current king of at least one of the above is Dave Sims who solicited the 25th Anniversary Cerebus High Society in August of 2011 - still not released)

    3. Relaunches/Reboots/Renumbering (in general) and especially when there is no reason to do it (see Daredevil)

    4. Bemoaning the cancellation of a poor selling title - especially if you were not buying the title to begin with. Example: Superman Family Adventures got a lot of love on the forum when its cancellation was announced but not a lot of people admitted to actually buying it.
  • Mr_CosmicMr_Cosmic Posts: 3,200
    Stop crying about what a publisher does unless you have the stones to stick to your guns. In other words, if you hate relaunches, $3.99 books, endless events, etc don't buy them! Otherwise be quiet.
  • MattMatt Posts: 4,457

    -Hating on things before they come out. Yeah, I know, we're fans, so we're like that, but it is time to stop. I don't know if the Walking Dead spinoff will be good or not and neither do you. I don't know if Ben Affleck will be a good Batman and neither do you. I don't know if a comic coming out in 2015 will be any good or not. So, let's just wait until the stuff drops before we hate on it.

    Are we talking about HATING vs having an opinion of a casting decision based on an actor's previous screen work? Because even though I am not a fan of the casting decision I am still going to see the movie but Batflec has to blow me away. But to to be fair I was going to see that Runner Runner movie of his that bombed when it comes out on DVD because that I thought that role might show a different side of him.

    I just want to differentiate myself somewhat from the death-threat nuts.


    Stuff I don't want to see in 2014?

    Any of the bad crap I experienced in 2013.
    Yes, Miley Cyrus's tongue could go back in her pie-hole.
    The real fan crap could go away because the "non-fans" are what keeps Walking Dead on TV and the movies we want made into the theater.

    I think there is a HATING v. OPINION line. My opinion of a Batman older then the other heroes (despite who's cast) & the supposed sequel of a superhero with other superheroes getting added to the cast is negative. I'm not hating the movie, just voicing my opinion about it.

    M
  • MattMatt Posts: 4,457
    Can we also do with overselling things by a few to appease the many? Whenever I see promos for books, movies, or TV series about "not being the only 1 not reading/watching" when clearly the ones who are are few, its irritating. Don't try the flag-waving type propaganda.

    Also, no more mirroring the movie/TV series that are based on you. Adding a Nick Fury, Jr who looks like Jackson, altering costumes to match the live-action version, & (try) writing Stark/Iron Man to sound like RDJ cheapens the source material & makes you look foolish.

    M
  • RedRight88RedRight88 Posts: 2,207
    Mr_Cosmic said:

    Stop crying about what a publisher does unless you have the stones to stick to your guns. In other words, if you hate relaunches, $3.99 books, endless events, etc don't buy them! Otherwise be quiet.

    Likewise; if you don't want to see a movie in the theaters, you don't have to...It seems like most of the people who bashed Man of Steel were the same people complaining about the film going in.
  • TorchsongTorchsong Posts: 2,794
    Reading back on my 2013 list, one thing that I've really put into practice sums up my entire list for 2014 (and beyond):

    Stop Hating (Just Say "It's not for me") - Do we realize how stupid we sound when we actively hate on something geeky? Probably not. Even still, what a silly thing to waste such a precious commodity as hate on. Remember that hate isn't the opposite of love - indeed to hate something means you feel passionate enough about it to hate it - apathy is the true opposite of love.

    Instead, this past year I've taken to saying "It's not for me." Some examples:

    "Zenescope books? Gorgeous covers, and I know a few of their writers. Nice guys, but the books really aren't my cuppa tea."

    "Dubstep? Not really my thing."

    "I really tried to get into the new Battlestar Galactica series...it just never really clicked with me. Which is weird because I loved the original series when I was a kid."

    So much more fun (and conversation inducing) than saying I hate Zenescope, dubstep and Battlestar Galactica. Again, save your hate for something that deserves it. Someone who truly wronged you, social injustice, stuff like that...certainly makes you come off better as a person.




  • MattMatt Posts: 4,457
    edited December 2013
    Torchsong said:

    Reading back on my 2013 list, one thing that I've really put into practice sums up my entire list for 2014 (and beyond):

    Stop Hating (Just Say "It's not for me") - Do we realize how stupid we sound when we actively hate on something geeky? Probably not. Even still, what a silly thing to waste such a precious commodity as hate on. Remember that hate isn't the opposite of love - indeed to hate something means you feel passionate enough about it to hate it - apathy is the true opposite of love.

    Instead, this past year I've taken to saying "It's not for me." Some examples:

    "Zenescope books? Gorgeous covers, and I know a few of their writers. Nice guys, but the books really aren't my cuppa tea."

    "Dubstep? Not really my thing."

    "I really tried to get into the new Battlestar Galactica series...it just never really clicked with me. Which is weird because I loved the original series when I was a kid."

    So much more fun (and conversation inducing) than saying I hate Zenescope, dubstep and Battlestar Galactica. Again, save your hate for something that deserves it. Someone who truly wronged you, social injustice, stuff like that...certainly makes you come off better as a person.

    That's actually pretty accurate a definition. For me to really hate something, I have to care enough about it first.

    Someone accused me hating that person. Unfortunately, I didn't care enough for the person to actually have hatred.

    M
  • WetRatsWetRats Posts: 6,314
    Matt said:

    Torchsong said:

    Reading back on my 2013 list, one thing that I've really put into practice sums up my entire list for 2014 (and beyond):

    Stop Hating (Just Say "It's not for me") - Do we realize how stupid we sound when we actively hate on something geeky? Probably not. Even still, what a silly thing to waste such a precious commodity as hate on. Remember that hate isn't the opposite of love - indeed to hate something means you feel passionate enough about it to hate it - apathy is the true opposite of love.

    Instead, this past year I've taken to saying "It's not for me." Some examples:

    "Zenescope books? Gorgeous covers, and I know a few of their writers. Nice guys, but the books really aren't my cuppa tea."

    "Dubstep? Not really my thing."

    "I really tried to get into the new Battlestar Galactica series...it just never really clicked with me. Which is weird because I loved the original series when I was a kid."

    So much more fun (and conversation inducing) than saying I hate Zenescope, dubstep and Battlestar Galactica. Again, save your hate for something that deserves it. Someone who truly wronged you, social injustice, stuff like that...certainly makes you come off better as a person.

    That's actually pretty accurate a definition. For me to really hate something, I have to care enough about it first.

    Someone accused me hating that person. Unfortunately, I didn't care enough for the person to actually have hatred.

    M
    I kinda hate this thread...

    :D
  • WetRatsWetRats Posts: 6,314

    cancer

    Thanks for the perspective, my bowler-wearing friend. Kinda makes the whole Miley's tongue thing look trivial, eh?
  • matchkitJOHNmatchkitJOHN Posts: 1,030
    edited December 2013
    Hate-watching can go away. I have had to catch myself doing this a couple times recently too. Not productive use of my time and why shit on someone else's creative output when it's not for me?
  • David_DDavid_D Posts: 3,884
    edited December 2013
    WetRats said:

    WetRats said:

    -Speaking of Alan Moore, can we all quit getting mad when he gives an interview that he doesn't like super-hero comics? It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it. He got screwed over by both of the major super-hero publishers, so maybe he's a bit bitter...

    Here's an alternative: Why don't we stop interviewing Alan Mordru?
    Most of the interviews are with people outside of comics, and Moore has mainstream books and other projects coming out...
    And yet somehow they always end up talking about comics...
    So, it sounds like the real problem is that people, often in an interview about other things he is doing, ask him about comics. And he answers, because, well, why shouldn't he? He is being interviewed after all. He can presume that the person asking him is interested in his answer.

    But then, if we aren't interested anymore, we can always not read those interviews. And then, poof! They have gone away! ;)

    (At least from your own 2014)
  • Hate-watching can go away. I have had to catch myself doing this a couple times recently too. Not productive use of my time and why shit on someone else's creative output when it's not for me?

    I agree. I actually Hate Watched the second season of "Whitney" because the show started poorly, and then completely collapsed...and by the second season, it was almost an anti-comedy, with the laugh track guffawing at random lines. I always felt bad after each episode, but...

  • batlawbatlaw Posts: 879
    hating on hate. hate is great. i love hate. its high time for hate to make a comeback in a big bad way.
  • MattMatt Posts: 4,457
    I'd like to see this 'convince me' mentality to go away. Dr. Who doesn't sound interesting to me, so I should ask fans to 'convince me' its worth my time. If I need to convince you, then you're really saying "I have no interest, so prove me wrong."

    Its like trying to convince someone to date you. Chances are if you need the extra sell, you're really not worth the person's time.

    If something sounds 1/2 way interesting, do your own research & try it.

    M
  • WetRatsWetRats Posts: 6,314
    Matt said:

    I'd like to see this 'convince me' mentality to go away. Dr. Who doesn't sound interesting to me, so I should ask fans to 'convince me' its worth my time. If I need to convince you, then you're really saying "I have no interest, so prove me wrong."

    Its like trying to convince someone to date you. Chances are if you need the extra sell, you're really not worth the person's time.

    If something sounds 1/2 way interesting, do your own research & try it.

    M

    A-Freaking-Men.
  • random73random73 Posts: 2,318
    edited December 2013
    Matt said:

    I'd like to see this 'convince me' mentality to go away. Dr. Who doesn't sound interesting to me, so I should ask fans to 'convince me' its worth my time. If I need to convince you, then you're really saying "I have no interest, so prove me wrong."

    Its like trying to convince someone to date you. Chances are if you need the extra sell, you're really not worth the person's time.

    If something sounds 1/2 way interesting, do your own research & try it.

    M

    @Matt. You will not like Doctor Who. It is in no way "realistic" or gritty. I absolutely love it. You would not. Consider yourself off the hook.
  • WetRatsWetRats Posts: 6,314
    David_D said:

    WetRats said:

    WetRats said:

    -Speaking of Alan Moore, can we all quit getting mad when he gives an interview that he doesn't like super-hero comics? It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it. He got screwed over by both of the major super-hero publishers, so maybe he's a bit bitter...

    Here's an alternative: Why don't we stop interviewing Alan Mordru?
    Most of the interviews are with people outside of comics, and Moore has mainstream books and other projects coming out...
    And yet somehow they always end up talking about comics...
    So, it sounds like the real problem is that people, often in an interview about other things he is doing, ask him about comics. And he answers, because, well, why shouldn't he? He is being interviewed after all. He can presume that the person asking him is interested in his answer.

    But then, if we aren't interested anymore, we can always not read those interviews. And then, poof! They have gone away! ;)

    (At least from your own 2014)
    OK. Then stop telling me about the latest asinine thing he says, so I don't need to go read the actual quote before responding. ;;)
  • TorchsongTorchsong Posts: 2,794
    Matt said:

    I'd like to see this 'convince me' mentality to go away. Dr. Who doesn't sound interesting to me, so I should ask fans to 'convince me' its worth my time. If I need to convince you, then you're really saying "I have no interest, so prove me wrong."

    Its like trying to convince someone to date you. Chances are if you need the extra sell, you're really not worth the person's time.

    If something sounds 1/2 way interesting, do your own research & try it.

    M

    Oh just do the opposite of my philosophy. When someone "challenges" you to "convince" them to like something you do...just look at them and go "Oh, I don't think you'll like it. It's not for you."

    :)

  • David_DDavid_D Posts: 3,884
    WetRats said:

    David_D said:

    WetRats said:

    WetRats said:

    -Speaking of Alan Moore, can we all quit getting mad when he gives an interview that he doesn't like super-hero comics? It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it. He got screwed over by both of the major super-hero publishers, so maybe he's a bit bitter...

    Here's an alternative: Why don't we stop interviewing Alan Mordru?
    Most of the interviews are with people outside of comics, and Moore has mainstream books and other projects coming out...
    And yet somehow they always end up talking about comics...
    So, it sounds like the real problem is that people, often in an interview about other things he is doing, ask him about comics. And he answers, because, well, why shouldn't he? He is being interviewed after all. He can presume that the person asking him is interested in his answer.

    But then, if we aren't interested anymore, we can always not read those interviews. And then, poof! They have gone away! ;)

    (At least from your own 2014)
    OK. Then stop telling me about the latest asinine thing he says, so I don't need to go read the actual quote before responding. ;;)
    Of course-- the people who grab the most provocative quotes and start those threads are probably looking for the reaction you are giving them.

    It is a vicious cycle: a snake god eating its own tail ;)
  • WetRatsWetRats Posts: 6,314
    David_D said:

    WetRats said:

    David_D said:

    WetRats said:

    WetRats said:

    -Speaking of Alan Moore, can we all quit getting mad when he gives an interview that he doesn't like super-hero comics? It's his opinion, and he's entitled to it. He got screwed over by both of the major super-hero publishers, so maybe he's a bit bitter...

    Here's an alternative: Why don't we stop interviewing Alan Mordru?
    Most of the interviews are with people outside of comics, and Moore has mainstream books and other projects coming out...
    And yet somehow they always end up talking about comics...
    So, it sounds like the real problem is that people, often in an interview about other things he is doing, ask him about comics. And he answers, because, well, why shouldn't he? He is being interviewed after all. He can presume that the person asking him is interested in his answer.

    But then, if we aren't interested anymore, we can always not read those interviews. And then, poof! They have gone away! ;)

    (At least from your own 2014)
    OK. Then stop telling me about the latest asinine thing he says, so I don't need to go read the actual quote before responding. ;;)
    Of course-- the people who grab the most provocative quotes and start those threads are probably looking for the reaction you are giving them.

    It is a vicious cycle: a snake god eating its own tail ;)
    Indeed. I just need some sort of cosmic "ignore" button.

    Of course, that would make me selectively ignorant, which also goes against my nature.

    Dammit.

    When it comes to Moore, I have the same obnoxious attitude that ex-smokers do around still-smokers.
  • TorchsongTorchsong Posts: 2,794
    I think of Alan Moore's relationship with the press in the same way I do Noel Gallagher's (formerly of Oasis) relationship with them.

    Love him (or Oasis) or hate him, the press loves to talk to Noel because he's fairly outspoken, will say pretty much exactly what's on his mind, and won't apologize for it. He's great for a soundbite or a quote you're likely to remember. He's usually pretty witty about it, and you'll find yourself sometimes laughing even as you can't believe he just said it.

    I think Moore's the same way - reporters are going to keep going back to the well because he's going to speak his mind, no filters, and give them what they want - a quote that'll generate hits. And you can't deny they get people talking...

  • LibraryBoyLibraryBoy Posts: 1,803


    -Hating on things before they come out. Yeah, I know, we're fans, so we're like that, but it is time to stop. I don't know if the Walking Dead spinoff will be good or not and neither do you. I don't know if Ben Afflec will be a good Batman and neither do you. I don't know if a comic coming out in 2015 will be any good or not. So, let's just wait until the stuff drops before we hate on it.

    I agree with a lot of what Cory is saying, but especially this. A little skepticism is healthy, of course, but at least be willing to keep an open mind that a decision you question could, in fact, turn out alright. A whole lot of people decried the casting of Heath Ledger as the Joker (or going back even further, about Michael Keaton as Batman), and then looked really stupid a year later when they were raving about how awesome he was.
Sign In or Register to comment.