DIrishB said:
No, thats not what I'm saying. As I already said earlier in this thread, I'm going to give AS Superman a shot because of all the positive reviews its gotten here on the site and others.
You
did? I missed that.
DIrishB said:
Now that thats out of the way, you're correct in saying I would like something with a little more exposition, not for "padding", but because I'd like an opportunity to really get to know the character from the start and watch him grow and change. Something that is really not going to happen much at all in a 12-issue mini-series.
This is why I am maddened by the current trend of decompressed arcs. You can, in 12-issues, get to really know a character from the start, watch them grow, and change. 20 years ago, if in 12-issues you
couldn't do that, you didn't have a job. I'm trying really hard here not fly off the handle, but sufficed to say - buying a 12-issue mini-series and thinking it won't grant you the opportunity for catching a story from the start and watching the characters within it grow and change is just - well, it saddens me.
DIrishB said:
I remember reading a review of it.
Wasn't bad. It's exactly what you're after - you
really ought to get it. It's only twelve issues, but if you ignore that aspect, it is
exactly what you're asking for.
DIrishB said:
But I want a new beginning on Superman (and for that matter the other major DC heroes) thats not going to end after 12 issues. Like I said, I'm looking for some character development, something Superman really hasn't had much of ever as far as I'm concerned. Now I don't read the regular title so maybe I'm just being ignorant, but just how much has Superman changed over the past 60 years?
He's changed more than Spidey has in 40, really.
As an actual character, true character change or morals, passions, and desires - he hasn't, not really. But then neither has Spider-Man or any other mainstream superhero, since it's somewhat inappropriate to the genre.
DIrishB said:
How about you drop the Superman purist attitude, okay? For the third time in this post alone, I plan on picking up AS Superman. I just wish it wasn't a Superman mini which really could easily fit into current DC continuity, which it most certainly probably could. I want a whole new DC universe, with new takes on the classic characters, so I and many others like me could jump on from the start and get to see the characters become who they are in a gradual and character-driven way. What the hell is so wrong with that? Man, you Superman fanboys sure are *****y.
As for the new DC universe that takes on classic characters - Seven Soldiers of Victory is that, on a smaller scale. What you're asking for is called "One Year Later". It is a huge reset button for newbies to jump onto and catch all these new stories from the new beginning of the DC universe. (I think.)
My attitude was also not me being a purist, nor a fanboy, but maddened that I thought someone was refusing to pick up All-Star Superman because it didn't retell an origin that is being retold in at least two mediums at the moment, and wasn't long enough. Had I been aware you
were picking up the title, I wouldn't have been so incensed.
My problem (and it is
my problem) is that you are essentially asking for a 'trendy' Superman - no continuity, revamped, streamlined, ongoing, etc - which is not only being done, but is a current trend in the mainstream superhero genre ignited by Hollywood's current and no doubt, short-lived infatuation with superheroes and the success of the Ultimate titles. The tragedy of this is - all the recent superhero films are, at best, just mediocre - okay, entertaning to some extent, but certainly too long and uninspiring, like Daredevil, Spider-Man, Batman Begins, and X-Men. There isn't a truly good one among them that will ever stand the test of time like films from other genres. Those that aren't mediocre or a bit better than average, are atrocious, like Fantastic Four. Then there's Hulk which tried to be a brilliant film, and shot itself in the foot by being ridiculously boring and 'character-driven' - but at least it tried.
The best superhero film to come out recently is The Incredibles, which has the important distinction of not being based on a comic book.
As if that wasn't bad enough, the Ultimate line is just boring too. Ultimate Iron Man is a joke. The Ultimate Gah Lak Tus Trlogy is an empty threat, because of it's schedule and lack of consistency with other Ultimate titles. Ultimate Fantastic Four is, instead of being fantastic, a cliche. Ultimate X-Men was quite good, but nothing groundbreaking or industry shaping. Ultimate Spider-Man is now awful, despite having genuinely clever moments every now and again. The Ultimates, the best of the line by a long way, has become tired and annoying because it doesn't come out, and is to be followed up by two creators who's previous track record are far from desirable.
If that wasn't bad enough, Superman: Man of Steel, was for all intensive purposes, "Ultimate Superman" and it was done in the early 80s. Here we are, 20 years later, and people want a new revamping of continuity. I think that alone proves just how short-lived the Ultimate universe is.
And people, like yourself, are asking the comics industry to ape these two short-lived, and artistically-failed enterprises.
One of the only superhero comics I'm
really enjoying right now, is All-Star Superman, and here I thought, you weren't buying it because it's not trendy - but in fact, you are giving it a shot, and I, through my ranting, have probably ruined some of the enjoyment from it for you. Yay me.
As I said, it's my problem, but that's how I see things from up here on this high horse of mine.
