disdain

[KingOfDreams]

I've been aware that some literature folks feel comics are beneath them but I haven't experienced it in person until now. So today was my first day of classes and I'm in this advanced fiction writing class. The professor was talking about the textbook and how this year's addition has a section about graphic novels. And he rolled his eyes and made a sarcastic comment. I'd really like to challenge him to read practically anything published by Vertigo and then tell me it's mere pop culture fluff. And it seems to be the same way about science fiction literature too. Much of it is still known as "genre fiction" as opposed to "literary fiction." Personally, I think both of these terms are vague and pointless labeling. Science fiction has been some of the most important social criticism of our time. Alright, rant over. Feel free to share any of your experiences with people who look down on comics.

 

[The Fonz]

Everyone has there own opinion on the subject of comic books. Many of us don't let it bother us. But we still have to argue in favor of comic books of every genre and nationality because they are of vital importance to artistic expression. I have enough stories about people who think comic books are immature and me arguing with them to last a lifetime. But it needs to be treated as another form of art. I'm not sure if this helps any but I wanted to comment in this thread nonetheless.

 

[Speedball]

God!
When I talk to people about comics, most go "They still make comics?"
And most pass it off as Kiddie crap. Then I tell them about what Wonder Woman did to Max Lord in graphic detail, then about what Max Lord did to Blue Beetle and the whole story behind Identity Crisis. That usually changes their mind.

 

[deathshead2]

Reminds me of how people say manga is art and well written while comic books are kiddie crap with no sense of good story telling or images. Manga people get me pissed off sometimes.

 

[Speedball]

Reminds me of how people say manga is art and well written while comic books are kiddie crap with no sense of good story telling or images. Manga people get me pissed off sometimes.

LOL! Look what I wrote in the "Official Manga thread".
It was started by a 12 year old.
HAHAHAHAHA!

 

[MyPokerShirt]

SpeedballLives, you must be really popular away from the internet

 

[Speedball]

SpeedballLives, you must be really popular away from the internet

HUH?

 

[MyPokerShirt]

i have this image of you laughing at 12 year olds and telling girls you meet about wonder woman and max lord, is all. its funny. to me.

 

[Speedball]

i have this image of you laughing at 12 year olds and telling girls you meet about wonder woman and max lord, is all. its funny. to me.

LOL! the funny thing is it's true.
When I go into Barnes and Nobles and go to the Comics section, I LOL when I see all the kids sitting there reading all the crappy manga.
And yes I do tell girls about stuff that happens in the comics, because for some reason they actually get interested. They see these Comic films and say they love them, so I tell them what really happens in the comics.

 

[Elijya]

speedball, you're an ass

You tell people about a woman who runs around in her underwear with a magic lasso in order to get them to respect the medium? oh yeah, that's an image to put out there

This thread is about how fans of our medium are looked down on because people don't think much of it, and you respond by saying you look down on fans of another medium because you don't think much of it? YEah, that's real quid pro quo

Ever pick up a comic that's DOESN'T have an element of fantasy to it?

 

[Elijya]

King of Dreams, just give your prof Sandman #50

 

[Speedball]

speedball, you're an ass

You tell people about a woman who runs around in her underwear with a magic lasso in order to get them to respect the medium? oh yeah, that's an image to put out there

This thread is about how fans of our medium are looked down on because people don't think much of it, and you respond by saying you look down on fans of another medium because you don't think much of it? YEah, that's real quid pro quo

Ever pick up a comic that's DOESN'T have an element of fantasy to it?

Yeah Squid pro row...
Actually there is one kind of Manga I enjoy, and that's Giant Robot Manga(Like Gundam). I don't laugh at those kids. And doesn't every comic book have an element of fantasy in it, that's why it's called fiction.

 

[Elijya]

fiction simply means it's not true, fantasy incorporate's the impossible (i.e. super powers, elves, magic, ridiculous technologies that if they're even possible won't be reach for hundreds of years). A Few Good Men is fiction, but it's not fantasy. Saving Private Ryan is fiction, but it's not fantasy. American History X is fiction, but it's not fantasy. Etc.

MOST comics are fantasies, for a variety of reasons, but there are quite a few that aren't, such as A History of Violence and Road to Perdition, and there are a number of non-fictions, such as Maus and American Splendor

 

[KingOfDreams]

King of Dreams, just give your prof Sandman #50

yeah, I should

 

[Speedball]

I like the impossible over the possible then.
However...My favorite film is The Bourne Identity, and that is possible.(but that's a whole different medium.)

 

[Speedball]

I don't really laugh at kids who read manga, I just said that for kicks.
I do laugh at grown men who walk around with Pokemon backpacks however.
I've seen it, it's hilarious.

 

[KingOfDreams]

I was in Spencer's once and I overheard two grown men talking about playing Pokemon. It was sad. It conjured up images of Comic Book Guy in my head.

 

[Speedball]

I was in Spencer's once and I overheard two grown men talking about playing Pokemon. It was sad. It conjured up images of Comic Book Guy in my head.

It's ok if the people talking about Pokemon are like 12, but if they are like 25, then there's a problem.
However, if they were jokingly talking about playing pokemon, like my friends and I do, then it can get pretty funny.

 

[KingOfDreams]

Oh, no. They seemed serious.

 

[Speedball]

Actually, when I talk to someone about comics, I tell them about Kingdom Come, or Superman: Secret Identity.
Maybe Red Son (I usually tell them about the brilliant ending it has).
I sometimes talk about Marvel, not much though. When I do, I tell them about the Civil War.

If you want your professor to read some good GN's, tell him to read V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Kingdom Come and Superman: Secret Identity.

 

[Horrorfan]

speedball, you're an ass

You tell people about a woman who runs around in her underwear with a magic lasso in order to get them to respect the medium? oh yeah, that's an image to put out there

This thread is about how fans of our medium are looked down on because people don't think much of it, and you respond by saying you look down on fans of another medium because you don't think much of it? YEah, that's real quid pro quo

Ever pick up a comic that's DOESN'T have an element of fantasy to it?

I hate that whole attitude.

So what if he hasn't?

At least he doesn't care about what some guy thinks about his hobby. At least he doesn't feel the burning desire to ''prove'' to people his hobby is worth a damn. He loves his hobby, and he doesn't let other people get to him.

I would argue you have partial disdain for the medium itself if you feel the need to ''prove'' to others that your hobby isn't what they think it is.

Some of you just care too much what others think. You should try not giving a crap sometime. It's awesome.

 

[Speedball]

I hate that whole attitude.

So what if he hasn't?

At least he doesn't care about what some guy thinks about his hobby. At least he doesn't feel the burning desire to ''prove'' to people his hobby is worth a damn. He loves his hobby, and he doesn't let other people get to him.

I would argue you have partial disdain for the medium itself if you feel the need to ''prove'' to others that your hobby isn't what they think it is.

Some of you just care too much what others think. You should try not giving a crap sometime. It's awesome.

WOW! Thanks Horrorfan

And your right, I don't really give a crap about what others think about me. I would like for people to like me, but if the only reason you DISlike me is because I like comic books, then I don't wanna be your friend anyway.(you and your as in general, it's not directed to anyone.)
I've always been this way. I'm very independent minded, and never give into peer pressure. If I do something or like something, it's because I like it or want to do it, not becuase I have some need to "fit in".

 

[The_Raven]

The professor was talking about the textbook and how this year's addition has a section about graphic novels. And he rolled his eyes and made a sarcastic comment. I'd really like to challenge him to read practically anything published by Vertigo and then tell me it's mere pop culture fluff.

Honestly, from my experience you could hand him the best stuff you could find and he'd still find some fruity way of labeling it garbage.

It really depends on the professor, but yers sounds like an *******, just like most of mine. The eye-rolling thing is pretty indicative. Screw him.

I got lucky this year. My English prof is a bigfoot freak, and I suspect he'll dig PREACHER, from what I know thus far.

 

[Harlekin]

I was in Spencer's once and I overheard two grown men talking about playing Pokemon. It was sad. It conjured up images of Comic Book Guy in my head.

Why? Some people actually play it y'know... for the gameplay. It's still one hell of an addictive game.

 

[KingOfDreams]

If you want your professor to read some good GN's, tell him to read V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Kingdom Come and Superman: Secret Identity.

I'd also get him to read Sandman. That's like freakin' Shakespeare much of the time.