wolvie2020 said:
Well, ummm... You do know that THIS BOOK, and the core Spidey titles ARE NOT aimed at kids? It's called CIVIL WAR for Christsakes! It's super-hero politics! And why the hell should Spidey unmasking interest a kid? Kids tend to go along, enjoy the art, and take a lot of stories as givens. That's why they're kids, they're still forming opinions, soaking things in. That's why kids aren't critics. If anything, it'll alienate kids, how the hell could they realte to any of this, it's no where near any of the Spider-Man stories they'd have seen on TV, or on film
The reason this story is in NEWSPAPERS and morning news shows, is because it's aimed at ADULTS. I can't remember the last time I saw an 11 year old avidly reading the New York Post or watching Larry King, can you?
And just 'cause adults haven't read Spidey in years, doesn't mean that they don't know the charachter or have an opinion. Did you know that Denny O'Neil got yelled at in cafe by the guy who worked there, and customers, when DC went ahead and killed Robin?
He realised that all the outrage he experienced, (it wasn't just in a cafe, it was in newspapers and morning news like Civil War,) was from people who hadn't picked up a comic in years. They didn't know it was Tim Drake, they thought it was Dick Grayson. He realised that people had an emotional investment in Robin, even though they hadn't read a comic in years. This is where Denny O'Neil states, and I quote "This is when I realised being an editor of DC comics isn't a job, we're the custodians of folklore." This is Denny O'Neil, THE MAN, himself.
Look, not all non comic geeks dig this idea. My girlfriend, (who's read bits of comics here and there, due to me,) was like; 'I don't get it, what do they want to do? I can't imagine anymore proper Spider-Man stories. Another friend of mine said; 'So I guess there's no more Spider-Man stories after this huh?' Other friends of mine liked the fact it was in newspapers, if only to text me, but it didn't make 'em want to buy it.
Look, I'm not saying I don't like Civil War, on the contrary, Millar is my fave writer, and I love it. The unmasking, I'm reserving judgment for the moment, but Marvel are treading VERY dangerous water here, it could lead to one of the greatest Spidey saga's ever, but there are too many areas where this can go really bad.
What I'm saying is, just 'cause a shock brings people's attention, don't mean it's a good thing. Doing things for shock value is usually a very bad idea, (Janet Jacksons boobgate anyone?) But we're going to have to wait a VERY long time to find out if this could be a great creatively driven decision, for shock value, or maybe because Joey Q has plain run out of ideas and won't listen to anyone aside himself.
New readers WILL SEE THIS. Just 'cause you're a new comic reader doesn't mean you don't know what a bad story is. If anything, they'll pick up Civil War, and if it has a bad ending, or childhood Spidey fans, (who haven't read a comic in years,) are upset by charachterisation, or certain plot developments, they'll never pick up a Marvel Comic again
That's what worries me
I get what you are saying. But just because it's called "Civil War" doesn't mean it's going to push kids away from it or something. It's got pretty pictures of Iron Man, Captain America, and Spider-Man. Tis enough.
Wait, maybe I shouldn't say "kid". Maybe...young adult, heh. That's the more politically correct term I'm supposed to use. No, an 8 year old isn't going to bite, maybe...but doubtful. But 12 or 13...that's a different story. That's the "kid" I'm talking about. I started reading Spider-Man comics, seriously, around the age of 12. I had read comics when I was younger but it never really truly stuck with me, until I got a little older.
What was the FIRST big Spider-Man storyline that I read? MAXIMUM CARNAGE. I remember picking up Spider-Man Unlimited # 1 with the big Carnage monster behind Spider-Man, Ron Lim did excellent pencils on that cover by the way, and being enthralled with it. And Maximum Carnage was VIOLENT. People were dying left and right and here I am...a 12 year old reading it and having fun with it. So, yes, it's possible. And not too long after Maximum Carnage was the lingering Clone Saga, which got me REALLY into Spider-Man.
That sucks your friends and girlfriend feel that way. I show my friends the comics and they love it, and ultimately go out and buy a couple issues to revisit their childhood memories. Does it really stick all the time? No. But as resident comic book geek of my circle of friends it's my duty to properly inform them of comic book situations. No, my friends don't really react the way that most people here would react. Most don't have those emotional connections with the characters, they just like the mystique that the comic book provides, and I can respect that. Too bad some people can't respect that.
I know what Denny O'Neil said, I saw the Comic Book documentary on The Learning Channel as well, heh. But they didn't go into the story of the gimmick of Jason Todd being killed now did they? How there was a 900 number set up, one to kill him and one to keep him alive. It was a well known fact that it was actually fixed by DC creators.
But that's not the point...heh. I understand what you're meaning with that. Yeah, people do have emotion in the characters, as do I. It's the reason why I dropped the titles back in the late 90's because of the ridiculous manner that they revived Aunt May. I didn't read a COMIC BOOK for about 5 years after that. I dropped them all. Spider-Man, X-Men, Spawn, Batman, etc.
And that brings me to my next point. You're worried that people will be pushed away forever? As someone else has said...all you need is that SPARK to bring you back. The first Spider-Man movie was my spark. I began to see what the titles were like again. I pick up The Amazing Spider-Man. HOLY SCHNIKES! John Romita Jr., my favorite Spider-Man artist of the late 90's is on the title! SCORE! I read it and come to find out this...JMS guy...writes a pretty interesting Peter Parker. Who's this Ezekiel fella? Hmmm? It sparked my interest in the comics again. And then my friend goes, "There's a new title where Spider-Man is a teenager again, it's called Ulitmate Spider-Man. And it's written by this kick ass writer, Bendis". My first reaction was, "What's a Bendis?". But after that I was sucked into that. Then Daredevil. Then Batman sucked me in again with Hush. Then I started seeing things I never thought I'd read. So many unbelievable artists and writers and I've missed SO MUCH because I was so PISSED OFF at one little thing about my Spider-Man comics 5 years earlier. And I've stuck ever since. Yes, things have happened that I've hated and the choice to drop the titles has crossed my mind...but it's never come to that because I don't find what's going on to be horrible or bad in anyway.
When it comes to the unmasking and the Civil War storyline. Well, my opinion on it is skewed by the comments of Quesada and JMS saying they want to take Spider-Man back to a Stan Lee-esque Spider-Man. And with the knowledge of the great Jeph Loeb coming onto an ongoing in 2007, my view of this storyline is a positive one. And maybe that's where the animosity lies between the different sides of posters. Yes, I do not word myself well sometimes and I get a little passionate because I'm being attacked simply because I have a different opinion. But, ultimately, my outlook is always positive. Does that make me a "zombie" a "sheep". I guess maybe to some of the posters around here, sure, go ahead. But I know what I enjoy and I know that I really like the character of Spider-Man. I gave up on the character once and I regretted it. Yes, bad stuff has happened but there has been a lot of good in between, in my view. But it's my dime. And I'm enjoying the ride so well right now. A storyline I've been completely looking forward to since I've become a serious fan of Spider-Man is becoming a reality. I'm sorry if I'm a little happy and overly excited.
But my readership started at the age of 12, serious readership. And there wasn't a movie trilogy on the horizon. Or an Internet. Or a message board of people who can inform me of so MUCH about the character. I took a chance on Spider-Man with no outside opinions saying, "This isn't how Spider-Man should be written" or "You're not a REAL fan of Spider-Man if you like THIS". I just had my own opinion and my own mind. Is it wrong that I like things most people here don't like? No, I don't think it's wrong at all. But it would be nice if people didn't make it an agenda to try and "prove me wrong". I'm not going to budge...at all. So, if you don't like my opinions and I'm "like talking to a wall" then put me on ignore if it REALLY bothers you that much. But, otherwise, maybe we can have rational discussions, much like I'm trying to do here with wolvie.
