Comments on: Would cheering up sell more comics? http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:10:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= hourly 1 By: retro clothing http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25603 retro clothing Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:14:52 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25603 Retro clothing is the bomb! My favorite place to find it is Goodwill or any thrift store. Ebay is also a great place to find what you are looking for. Retro clothing is the bomb! My favorite place to find it is Goodwill or any thrift store. Ebay is also a great place to find what you are looking for.

]]> By: BradyDale http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25602 BradyDale Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:18:56 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25602 I've been reading a lot of old comics recently and, while I enjoy them, they are also sort of boring. They just aren't as deep as the current crop. There needs to be a way to get the fun bright stuff out to kids and the deeper stuff to us grown-ups. We need spinner racks again, but the Spinner RAcks probably don't really need anything from the MAX line, for example... The point about villains not really being important is dead on, though, and that's frustrating to me. This whole bit with THE HOOD organizing villains now in New Avengers... I mean, why didn't he do that last year during Civil War? It seems like the villains just sort of sat it out, which makes no sense. I’ve been reading a lot of old comics recently and, while I enjoy them, they are also sort of boring. They just aren’t as deep as the current crop. There needs to be a way to get the fun bright stuff out to kids and the deeper stuff to us grown-ups. We need spinner racks again, but the Spinner RAcks probably don’t really need anything from the MAX line, for example…

The point about villains not really being important is dead on, though, and that’s frustrating to me. This whole bit with THE HOOD organizing villains now in New Avengers… I mean, why didn’t he do that last year during Civil War? It seems like the villains just sort of sat it out, which makes no sense.

]]> By: Jim Shelley http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25601 Jim Shelley Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:16:47 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25601 So, 60's/70's Done In One style of stories are more attractive to kids than today's decompressed, grim and gritty comics - who would have thought that? http://www.FlashbackUniverse.com So, 60’s/70’s Done In One style of stories are more attractive to kids than today’s decompressed, grim and gritty comics – who would have thought that?

http://www.FlashbackUniverse.com

]]> By: The Four Color Media Monitor http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25600 The Four Color Media Monitor Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:34:09 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25600 <strong>When the villains go MIA...</strong> A writer for ICV2 (via The Beat blog) talks about how Marvel's villains have become almost completely absent lately... When the villains go MIA…

A writer for ICV2 (via The Beat blog) talks about how Marvel’s villains have become almost completely absent lately…

]]> By: Doctor Normal http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25599 Doctor Normal Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:27:13 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25599 To my own surprise, I am coming to the conclusion that Seduction of the Innocents and the coming of the Comics Code Authority are the reason Silver Age comic books were more fun than superhero comic books are now. Things in the U.S. are not worse now than they were then. Things here are quite good. And I can forget that we are in a war. I also think the similar imposition of restrictions by the technology of the time helped... for example with coloring. The thing that happens to bother me most about modern attempts to create comic books is the coloring. Modern comic book colorists are in general still struggling with the new freedom they have. To my own surprise, I am coming to the conclusion that Seduction of the Innocents and the coming of the Comics Code Authority are the reason Silver Age comic books were more fun than superhero comic books are now. Things in the U.S. are not worse now than they were then. Things here are quite good. And I can forget that we are in a war.

I also think the similar imposition of restrictions by the technology of the time helped… for example with coloring. The thing that happens to bother me most about modern attempts to create comic books is the coloring. Modern comic book colorists are in general still struggling with the new freedom they have.

]]> By: Monkey See http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25598 Monkey See Mon, 29 Oct 2007 02:26:05 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25598 That's a good point. In the past comics were considered all ages by default and the adult titles were only in the direct sales stores. But nowadays the adult titles are the norm (corresponding to the entire industry having retreated to the direct market) with entire special "kids" books being marginalized to imprints, seemingly only to exist to keep some watchdog group happy somewhere. Mainstream comics are doing a great job currently selling to the market created 30 years ago. But who is creating the market that will exist 30 years from now? That’s a good point. In the past comics were considered all ages by default and the adult titles were only in the direct sales stores. But nowadays the adult titles are the norm (corresponding to the entire industry having retreated to the direct market) with entire special “kids” books being marginalized to imprints, seemingly only to exist to keep some watchdog group happy somewhere.

Mainstream comics are doing a great job currently selling to the market created 30 years ago. But who is creating the market that will exist 30 years from now?

]]> By: Donnie http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25597 Donnie Sun, 28 Oct 2007 18:09:08 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25597 Was it <a href="http://www.superherostuff.com/characters/Avengers_JLA/images/marvel_head_shots_t_shirt_2.jpg" rel="nofollow">this</a> shirt? The first 2 are Byrne, but I dunno about the others. Who in the big 2 writes comics for kids anymore? By that I mean, with them as the main target for an audience? And by that I also mean comics that sell well. Yes, DC and Marvel have kids lines, but where are they in terms of sales? At the bottom. When we read comics in the 70s and 80s, they were made for us. At least, I see them that way, looking back. And today, they're still being written for us. I'm not saying that today's books are inaccessible to kids, but they're sure a lot less fun. It's like what Spurgeon said a while back wondering what a kids would think about buying a comics called COUNTDOWN PRESENTS THE SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER: WILDSTORM. Bo-ring! Was it this shirt? The first 2 are Byrne, but I dunno about the others.

Who in the big 2 writes comics for kids anymore? By that I mean, with them as the main target for an audience? And by that I also mean comics that sell well. Yes, DC and Marvel have kids lines, but where are they in terms of sales? At the bottom.

When we read comics in the 70s and 80s, they were made for us. At least, I see them that way, looking back. And today, they’re still being written for us. I’m not saying that today’s books are inaccessible to kids, but they’re sure a lot less fun. It’s like what Spurgeon said a while back wondering what a kids would think about buying a comics called COUNTDOWN PRESENTS THE SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER: WILDSTORM. Bo-ring!

]]> By: Torsten Adair http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25596 Torsten Adair Sat, 27 Oct 2007 18:52:33 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25596 Superheroes are grim. I just read Marvel's Silent War, and was disgusted by the climax. I suspect that Marvel will have an upcoming event where the heroes will discover the abuses of power, Iron Man will suffer for his Good Intentions, and the public will forget their stupid mistakes. Or the governmment could easily outlaw everyone, ending in the gritty future shown in The Uncanny X-Men #141. Yes, New York City is safe and clean and almost clear of it's bankruptcy. But do people notice the plethora of security cameras? The soldiers at Grand Central? The random announcements on the subway, alerting us that large bags and containers are subject to search by the NYPD? I'm a New Yorker, so I tolerate it, but I don't ignore it. Which is why I loathe orange clothing. I enjoy DMZ not because of the civil war aspects, but because of the humanity depicted. That's what heroism is about: overcoming adversity. Storytelling is about making people believe in imaginary concepts, like Santa Claus and Freedom. Superheroes are grim. I just read Marvel’s Silent War, and was disgusted by the climax. I suspect that Marvel will have an upcoming event where the heroes will discover the abuses of power, Iron Man will suffer for his Good Intentions, and the public will forget their stupid mistakes. Or the governmment could easily outlaw everyone, ending in the gritty future shown in The Uncanny X-Men #141.
Yes, New York City is safe and clean and almost clear of it’s bankruptcy. But do people notice the plethora of security cameras? The soldiers at Grand Central? The random announcements on the subway, alerting us that large bags and containers are subject to search by the NYPD? I’m a New Yorker, so I tolerate it, but I don’t ignore it. Which is why I loathe orange clothing.
I enjoy DMZ not because of the civil war aspects, but because of the humanity depicted. That’s what heroism is about: overcoming adversity. Storytelling is about making people believe in imaginary concepts, like Santa Claus and Freedom.

]]> By: Monkey See http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25595 Monkey See Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:53:19 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25595 I think many of the modern "painted" covers are very bland and unattractive compared to the fun pop art stylings of yesteryear. I go into the comic shop and the Marvel section is just this large muddy blur of Photoshop and Painter images with nothing grabbing my attention. I'm a big fan of the amazing painted covers of the old pulp magazines and said on a number of occasions a few years back how I wish more comics had painted covers. Now I regret my wish as the current crop of heavily worked cover images have turned the New Release section into a bore. I'm tired of serious, self-important, "mature" comics and their yawn-worthy cover adornments. I just want them to be fun again. I think many of the modern “painted” covers are very bland and unattractive compared to the fun pop art stylings of yesteryear. I go into the comic shop and the Marvel section is just this large muddy blur of Photoshop and Painter images with nothing grabbing my attention.

I’m a big fan of the amazing painted covers of the old pulp magazines and said on a number of occasions a few years back how I wish more comics had painted covers. Now I regret my wish as the current crop of heavily worked cover images have turned the New Release section into a bore. I’m tired of serious, self-important, “mature” comics and their yawn-worthy cover adornments. I just want them to be fun again.

]]> By: Jesse Post http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25594 Jesse Post Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:19:29 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25594 I'm not surprised that a kid would be more attracted to Silver Age comics than modern ones (even though this anecdote doesn't prove that he actually compared the two). As a kid, those were the comics I was attracted to because they were fun, simple, and fired the imagination with possibility. As an adult I like things more complex, sophisticated, and relevant to what I go through (that's the fun of fantasy for adults). Most of those comics have grown up to meet my needs, which is nice, but at the expense of younger readers' needs. I think the fact that the kid saw bagging comics in a comic book store as a necessary evil to get his toy next door says a lot more about the state of the industry than anything else I've read in a while. I’m not surprised that a kid would be more attracted to Silver Age comics than modern ones (even though this anecdote doesn’t prove that he actually compared the two).

As a kid, those were the comics I was attracted to because they were fun, simple, and fired the imagination with possibility. As an adult I like things more complex, sophisticated, and relevant to what I go through (that’s the fun of fantasy for adults). Most of those comics have grown up to meet my needs, which is nice, but at the expense of younger readers’ needs.

I think the fact that the kid saw bagging comics in a comic book store as a necessary evil to get his toy next door says a lot more about the state of the industry than anything else I’ve read in a while.

]]> By: Steve Taylor http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25593 Steve Taylor Sat, 27 Oct 2007 13:15:15 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25593 Maybe it has something to do with the way comics are sold, as well. Publishers aren't necessarily trying to capture the attention of the "everyperson" passing by a news-stand, jam packed with other fare, on the street or a spinner rack in a drugstore. The focus is on the comics fan. It's almost as if the covers are printed in code these days,...aimed at a smaller audience. I've had people tell me that they can't figure out how to read a comic. Then there's the idea that (...some,...most,...) modern writers and artists are incapable of telling a story or drawing a picture that communicates that story, in my humble, ego-maniacal opinion. In the rare cases where an illustrator (Note that I did not say, cartoonist.) is capable of pulling off that remarkable feat, modern coloration and printing technology frequently make the books dark and difficult to see. Then,...there is that; modern concepts of good and evil, ain't what they used to be. Maybe it has something to do with the way comics are sold, as well. Publishers aren’t necessarily trying to capture the attention of the “everyperson” passing by a news-stand, jam packed with other fare, on the street or a spinner rack in a drugstore. The focus is on the comics fan. It’s almost as if the covers are printed in code these days,…aimed at a smaller audience. I’ve had people tell me that they can’t figure out how to read a comic. Then there’s the idea that (…some,…most,…) modern writers and artists are incapable of telling a story or drawing a picture that communicates that story, in my humble, ego-maniacal opinion. In the rare cases where an illustrator (Note that I did not say, cartoonist.) is capable of pulling off that remarkable feat, modern coloration and printing technology frequently make the books dark and difficult to see.
Then,…there is that; modern concepts of good and evil, ain’t what they used to be.

]]> By: Tinpan http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25592 Tinpan Sat, 27 Oct 2007 05:18:35 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25592 In the DC Clothes stores here, ALL the art on tshirts and jackets and whatever they use is retro- only occassionally do you see a Jim Lee Superman drawing. And you know what else? They use ONLY retro art and the retro versions for the female characters. It's like the modern versions are too porn-y or something. In the DC Clothes stores here, ALL the art on tshirts and jackets and whatever they use is retro- only occassionally do you see a Jim Lee Superman drawing. And you know what else? They use ONLY retro art and the retro versions for the female characters. It’s like the modern versions are too porn-y or something.

]]> By: joffe http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25591 joffe Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:49:44 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25591 Ken, have you forgotten that we're currently in the middle of an incredibly unpopular, expensive and bloody war without an end in sight? That alone might have SOMETHING to do with modern times being described as "grim", not counting all the other obvious stuff going on. Sean, I agree that Marvel comics always had that extra edge of angst, even in the Silver Age. But I think its fair to say that edge was tempered with a layer of fun and fantasy that allowed it to be as escapist as it was relevant. I think its also fair to say that outside of a number of side titles, that layer is no longer a concern of the main publishers. I don't think we need a complete 180 back to the silver age, but the Marvel Zombies you mentioned as a modern comic still popular with the kids is far more goofy than it is angsty, despite the gore. Ken, have you forgotten that we’re currently in the middle of an incredibly unpopular, expensive and bloody war without an end in sight? That alone might have SOMETHING to do with modern times being described as “grim”, not counting all the other obvious stuff going on.

Sean, I agree that Marvel comics always had that extra edge of angst, even in the Silver Age. But I think its fair to say that edge was tempered with a layer of fun and fantasy that allowed it to be as escapist as it was relevant. I think its also fair to say that outside of a number of side titles, that layer is no longer a concern of the main publishers. I don’t think we need a complete 180 back to the silver age, but the Marvel Zombies you mentioned as a modern comic still popular with the kids is far more goofy than it is angsty, despite the gore.

]]> By: mpMann http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25590 mpMann Sat, 27 Oct 2007 02:10:38 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25590 A few years back, my son, then aged 12 was captivated by the black and white Marvel Essentials collections.... but has no interest in contemorary superheroes today. A few years back, my son, then aged 12 was captivated by the black and white Marvel Essentials collections…. but has no interest in contemorary superheroes today.

]]> By: Rakarich http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25589 Rakarich Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:42:48 +0000 http://www.comicsbeat.com/2007/10/26/would-cheering-up-sell-more-comics/#comment-25589 I believe the market has more diverse material (i.e. genre and age friendly) than it ever has in it's history. How is it not possible for someone who works in a LCS to feel "handicapped" (my wording, not his) in suggesting age/subject appropriate material? I believe the market has more diverse material (i.e. genre and age friendly) than it ever has in it’s history. How is it not possible for someone who works in a LCS to feel “handicapped” (my wording, not his) in suggesting age/subject appropriate material?

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