-The thing that surprises me most about the Vince Colletta letter that's been making the rounds? The neatness of his handwriting. It's just much better penmanship than I expected from the infamous inker. As for the interview transcript: I just quit reading after a while. It seemed too much like an end-of-the-show Saturday Night Live skit:
VC: I told Galton that Jim Shooter was a saint, and that the editors' complaints were unfounded.
INT: But they were legit complaints! Shooter shoved Michael Higgins' head into Carl Potts' aquarium! The fish were flapping on the floor!
VC: Yeah, but Galton doesn't know that, right? I'm trying to save Shooter's job.
INT: Oh, yeah. I get it.
VC: So anyway, Galton tells me he heard that Shooter was calling Hobson a drunk.
INT: Ooh, that's not very nice.
VC: Who cares?!? I'm trying help out my buddy Jim. It's irrelevant.
INT: It's still not very nice.
VC: Okay, whatever. So I tell him that Shooter didn't understand how big companies work.
INT: But that's not true! Shooter is a genius of corporate intrigue!
VC: GOD DAMMIT, I know that's not true!! Christ, aren't you paying attention?
(Repeat for five minutes, ending with Colletta killing the interviewer and/or himself.)
Man, I'm going to laugh if the interviewer turns out to be fairly well-known in the comics community. Let me rephrase that: I really, really hope the interviewer turns out to be someone well known in the comics community.
-There are some things worse than being a superhero fan. All hardcore fans are pathetic on some level; I'm always shocked at the degree of deep, personal injury that some Marvel/DC fans evince when their favorite characters somehow diverge from their ideal type (which is, of course, a completely subjective thing depending on the pathetic fanboy in question, thus in turn assuring us that someone's always going to be unhappy about the color of Hawkman's suspenders). But seriously, I think Transformers fandom might be the most damning indictment of Western culture to date. Not that there's anything more ridiculous about the concept than any other object of fannish passion--actually, it's a really great concept for a toy line aimed at young boys. But man, I'm floored by the efforts of Transformers fans to somehow synthesize the disparate mythoi of this particular intellectual property into one true narrative-- it puts DC fans to shame, frankly. These guys have done so much with so little.
Really, is there any other group which has built up such an elaborate fan culture based on such triviality? Is there any cultural significance to the Transformers beyond nostalgia?
-I'm really shocked that freeloaders sitting in the manga aisle is a genuine problem, rather than a calculated effort by bitter Marvel/DC apologists to discredit manga sales in bookstores. I really have never encountered this. Bear in mind that I only go into the big chain bookstores once or twice a month. I do see people browsing the manga all the time, and they do occasionally get in my way, but I never see them just sitting around reading stuff. You know where I do see that? My local comics store, which even has a couple of chairs for the purpose. Actually, the only patrons who've ever truly annoyed me as I was browsing for manga were several RPGers who were talking loudly and ignoring my dirty looks as I tried to peer around them.* Not really annoying, more like embarrassing: One time a teenager shopping with her mother asked me what kind of manga I liked, but I didn't really want say, "The kind with teenagers struggling to survive after an earthquake or tsunami or something." I think I might have mumbled something about horror manga and moved along. Maybe I'm just a prude--I worry what people think when I'm the only adult male in an aisle crowded with teenage girls. Especially when I have to ask one of them where the tentacle rape manga is. (Just kidding! I know where it is.)
*Actually, the RPG fuckers at certain comics shops are exponentially more annoying than anyone I've encountered reading manga at the bookstore. Thankfully my retailer doesn't sell that stuff, but I do encounter it when I'm buying comics while at home or visiting the in-laws. Do these people have jobs? They seem to be in these stores all hours of the day, quoting Family Guy dialogue and drinking Diet Rite while lasciviously caressing their 10 sided dice with their greasy, stubby fingers, coated orange from hot wing sauce. Or, if you happen to be in the main Mile High Comics store in Denver, they're all goth kids.
-Little did I know that Dr. Doom was so well-versed in the Legion of Super-Heroes and the complicated fan-professional politics of contemporary DC comics. The fact that I'm not reading the current LSH thing in JLA/JSA is really a testament to how much I really don't want to read anything written by the Geoff Johns of 2007 and the Brad Meltzer of all of recorded history. Steve Flanagan confirms that this is the correct decision.
Showing posts with label toy-related intellectual properties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toy-related intellectual properties. Show all posts
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Rare second Friday post
-JMS lets us know why his Thor will suck:
"I've just never understood why a Norse god would speak in Medieval English. Never parsed for me, even as a kid. So I'm going for more of a sense of antiquity in the grammar and style rather than tarting it up with "these" and "thous." The closest tonal parallel would be Aragon in Lord of the Rings. The sense of dialog there has the feeling of formality and otherness, but without resorting to tricks."
First, that's not a medieval dialect; if it were, we'd have a much harder time understanding Thor. Elizabethan English is, IIRC, considered Early Modern English, which is why we can basically understand what Shakespeare wrote. Second, this reminds me of what Brian Cronin wrote about the Hulk--writers are afraid of writing genuine Hulk dialogue. I guess that's the case for Thor now too. Look--Thor is a weird character. He's a mythological figure AND an intellectual property of Marvel's. The Marvel version of Thor is not the same thing as the Thor of Norse mythology. So it's okay to have Thor talking like Shakespug; in fact, it's the right thing to do.
And then Joe Quesada reveals that Jeph Loeb's plans for Ultimate Thor include "medieval speak" [SIC!!!]. So JMS is now officially inferior to Jeph Loeb.
-Nobody's talking about it, but Douglas Wolk made a really interesting point about digital comics piracy this week. I still think my system (replace work-for-hire with work-for-nothing) is morally and economically sounder, though. Just let someone like Adrian Tomine re-tell the issue of Metal Men in question. I mean, yes, there will be some subtle changes: Platium will be wearing barrettes in her hair, and all the male robots will look like they've got a big wad of chaw in their mouths. And it will be far less entertaining than the originals. But that's the price you will have to pay for free comics in the future. (If none of this makes sense, click here.)
-Speaking of Joe Fridays, this week's edition featured this picture:
At first I didn't realize that Optimus Prime was standing behind Captain America. Which made me realize that Optimus Prime is really just a machine. Which, in turn, led me to compare Optimus Prime to Mechazawa. And now I realize that I would buy this ludicrous mini-series if and only if the relationship between the Avengers and the robots is sort of like that between the students and the robots in Cromartie High.
-One final item from the Quesada Q&A: Matt Fraction is rumored to be writing Amazing Spider-Man after JMS leaves? Really? I like Fraction a lot and I'll certainly check it out, but I'm a little wary of such a development.
"I've just never understood why a Norse god would speak in Medieval English. Never parsed for me, even as a kid. So I'm going for more of a sense of antiquity in the grammar and style rather than tarting it up with "these" and "thous." The closest tonal parallel would be Aragon in Lord of the Rings. The sense of dialog there has the feeling of formality and otherness, but without resorting to tricks."
First, that's not a medieval dialect; if it were, we'd have a much harder time understanding Thor. Elizabethan English is, IIRC, considered Early Modern English, which is why we can basically understand what Shakespeare wrote. Second, this reminds me of what Brian Cronin wrote about the Hulk--writers are afraid of writing genuine Hulk dialogue. I guess that's the case for Thor now too. Look--Thor is a weird character. He's a mythological figure AND an intellectual property of Marvel's. The Marvel version of Thor is not the same thing as the Thor of Norse mythology. So it's okay to have Thor talking like Shakespug; in fact, it's the right thing to do.
And then Joe Quesada reveals that Jeph Loeb's plans for Ultimate Thor include "medieval speak" [SIC!!!]. So JMS is now officially inferior to Jeph Loeb.
-Nobody's talking about it, but Douglas Wolk made a really interesting point about digital comics piracy this week. I still think my system (replace work-for-hire with work-for-nothing) is morally and economically sounder, though. Just let someone like Adrian Tomine re-tell the issue of Metal Men in question. I mean, yes, there will be some subtle changes: Platium will be wearing barrettes in her hair, and all the male robots will look like they've got a big wad of chaw in their mouths. And it will be far less entertaining than the originals. But that's the price you will have to pay for free comics in the future. (If none of this makes sense, click here.)
-Speaking of Joe Fridays, this week's edition featured this picture:
At first I didn't realize that Optimus Prime was standing behind Captain America. Which made me realize that Optimus Prime is really just a machine. Which, in turn, led me to compare Optimus Prime to Mechazawa. And now I realize that I would buy this ludicrous mini-series if and only if the relationship between the Avengers and the robots is sort of like that between the students and the robots in Cromartie High.
-One final item from the Quesada Q&A: Matt Fraction is rumored to be writing Amazing Spider-Man after JMS leaves? Really? I like Fraction a lot and I'll certainly check it out, but I'm a little wary of such a development.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Is this better?
-Poll is still open, and it's the most popular one to date.
-Aw christ, I think we have a new ubiquitous meme contender. For those who haven't been paying attention, "Youtube > Captain America" is the reigning champ. "Radioactive spider jism" seems to have completely dropped off the charts. "I cried for 93 minutes" never really took off, but "Emo/Crying Superman" and "Supergirl is messed up" are starting to look like evergreens. If you want deeper, up-to-the-minute information, the Dick Hyacinth Meme Investor Newswatch is a bargain at $149 for a full year of issues.
-Memes actually worthy of discussion: Free Comic Book Day is proving to be more problematic than one would have guessed. I think there was a similar discussion last year (and probably the year before), right? I'm guessing there weren't 30+ publishers then, though.
-Guy reads GI Joe? Also, I don't believe that's quite the right use of the word "sycophant" there--every definition I've encountered suggests that a sycophant seeks "favor" or "advantage;" to put it more colloquially, he or she "sucks up" to the subject of their fawning. I would describe those people who are interested in buying a Lone Ranger comic just for Cassaday cover art more as "fanatics," or perhaps "zealots" or even "partisans." But they're not really sycophants, unless Cassaday has a message board with a bunch of servile, fawning admirers who defend his every move. And really, that's more of a writer thing.
Also: (1) That is a shitload of stuff to buy, but I generally think that whenever anyone posts a personal shopping list. And I think I'm kind of cheap. (2) You probably don't want to start with Dungeon Parade--the one to get first is volume 1 of Zenith.
-Heidi McDonald has some depressing observations about what Marvel/DC fans want. (Everyone knows you were talking about Geoff Johns, BTW. No need to protect his identity.) This is one of the things that makes the the comics-related internet tragically funny; even as people (okay, bloggers) are complaining about crossovers, many more are combing the transcripts of convention panels for clues about the upcoming mega-event(s). Have you ever read any of these Q&A sessions on Newsarama? Half the questions are somehow related to obscure points of continuity. The other half ask, "When is ________ coming back?"
Even the allegedly more sophisticated fans engage in this. The continued success of Ultimate Spider-Man is due in large part to the slow trickle of Ultimized characters appearing month after month. Justice League Unlimited shared this dynamic--part of its appeal was the audience's desire to see Bruce Timm-ized versions of obscure DC characters. (The worst offender? Modern Gasoline Alley, where Uncle Walt is constantly interacting with old comic strip characters. It's shameless, and it's been going on for at least 20 years.)
As I've said before, DC and Marvel both seem to be moving towards a publishing model which gives popular creators the opportunity to use their intellectual properties in a continuity-agnostic setting. Meanwhile, their regular line of comics are getting more incestuous, their success determined by how well the tie in to the larger universe. Thankfully, the audience for the latter will probably atrophy due to age and fatigue. (And lack of reproduction! Right? Right?)
-Heidi also wants me to be meaner. Then post something stupid, damn it. Pick some fights. Post some scans with "AQUAMAN SUXXXORS"-type commentary. I can only work with what I'm given.
-Dan Nadel demonstrates the kind of decisiveness which has made art/literary comics such a major force in the publishing world. (Semi-funny aside: I was talking to my comics dealer the other day as he was unpacking some of his weekly shipment. He got out Comics Comics and wondered aloud what-the-hell-is-this and why-did-I-order-it. I reminded him of Art Out of Time and he kind of shrugged and moved on.)
-I'm starting to think Shane Bailey doesn't get it. Remember, I won't start compiling the Wavers of the Bloody Shirt list until Thursday. I'm sure the sharper employees of the Outrage Mill will be busy with some fresher controversy by then.
-Aw christ, I think we have a new ubiquitous meme contender. For those who haven't been paying attention, "Youtube > Captain America" is the reigning champ. "Radioactive spider jism" seems to have completely dropped off the charts. "I cried for 93 minutes" never really took off, but "Emo/Crying Superman" and "Supergirl is messed up" are starting to look like evergreens. If you want deeper, up-to-the-minute information, the Dick Hyacinth Meme Investor Newswatch is a bargain at $149 for a full year of issues.
-Memes actually worthy of discussion: Free Comic Book Day is proving to be more problematic than one would have guessed. I think there was a similar discussion last year (and probably the year before), right? I'm guessing there weren't 30+ publishers then, though.
-Guy reads GI Joe? Also, I don't believe that's quite the right use of the word "sycophant" there--every definition I've encountered suggests that a sycophant seeks "favor" or "advantage;" to put it more colloquially, he or she "sucks up" to the subject of their fawning. I would describe those people who are interested in buying a Lone Ranger comic just for Cassaday cover art more as "fanatics," or perhaps "zealots" or even "partisans." But they're not really sycophants, unless Cassaday has a message board with a bunch of servile, fawning admirers who defend his every move. And really, that's more of a writer thing.
Also: (1) That is a shitload of stuff to buy, but I generally think that whenever anyone posts a personal shopping list. And I think I'm kind of cheap. (2) You probably don't want to start with Dungeon Parade--the one to get first is volume 1 of Zenith.
-Heidi McDonald has some depressing observations about what Marvel/DC fans want. (Everyone knows you were talking about Geoff Johns, BTW. No need to protect his identity.) This is one of the things that makes the the comics-related internet tragically funny; even as people (okay, bloggers) are complaining about crossovers, many more are combing the transcripts of convention panels for clues about the upcoming mega-event(s). Have you ever read any of these Q&A sessions on Newsarama? Half the questions are somehow related to obscure points of continuity. The other half ask, "When is ________ coming back?"
Even the allegedly more sophisticated fans engage in this. The continued success of Ultimate Spider-Man is due in large part to the slow trickle of Ultimized characters appearing month after month. Justice League Unlimited shared this dynamic--part of its appeal was the audience's desire to see Bruce Timm-ized versions of obscure DC characters. (The worst offender? Modern Gasoline Alley, where Uncle Walt is constantly interacting with old comic strip characters. It's shameless, and it's been going on for at least 20 years.)
As I've said before, DC and Marvel both seem to be moving towards a publishing model which gives popular creators the opportunity to use their intellectual properties in a continuity-agnostic setting. Meanwhile, their regular line of comics are getting more incestuous, their success determined by how well the tie in to the larger universe. Thankfully, the audience for the latter will probably atrophy due to age and fatigue. (And lack of reproduction! Right? Right?)
-Heidi also wants me to be meaner. Then post something stupid, damn it. Pick some fights. Post some scans with "AQUAMAN SUXXXORS"-type commentary. I can only work with what I'm given.
-Dan Nadel demonstrates the kind of decisiveness which has made art/literary comics such a major force in the publishing world. (Semi-funny aside: I was talking to my comics dealer the other day as he was unpacking some of his weekly shipment. He got out Comics Comics and wondered aloud what-the-hell-is-this and why-did-I-order-it. I reminded him of Art Out of Time and he kind of shrugged and moved on.)
-I'm starting to think Shane Bailey doesn't get it. Remember, I won't start compiling the Wavers of the Bloody Shirt list until Thursday. I'm sure the sharper employees of the Outrage Mill will be busy with some fresher controversy by then.
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