Thought I would revive this thread with a few questions for you current comic readers.
1. How has technology affected your comic reading? Do you still buy actual books at the comic book store or have you gone full digital with your collecting and reading?
2. What do you think about the connection between video games and movies of popular comic heroes and the continuing book series? Today these differing multiple mediums seem to be greatly affecting each other in ways that have never existed in the past.
3. How do you feel about the ever evolving histories and origin stories of comic characters? For example, I began collecting and reading in the 80's and continued through the mid 90's. Obviously, stories evolve and characters develop, but it has always been interesting to see how they change things and what that ultimately does to the character when a writer wants to "reboot" or "reimagine" things. The most obvious example that stands out to me is the way they transitioned Wolverine when they decided to go down the road of having bone claws. The transition of Nick Fury's ethnicity is another example. Do you tend to have a purist philosophy when it comes to this by holding onto the original or "first told" version of a character or is it no big deal for you to simply go along for the ride no matter what changes may take place?
4. What is the landscape like in today's world of Marvel, DC, and other comic universes? I stopped by a comic shop a few weeks ago just to look around and for the sake of nostalgia. It's truly been almost 20 years since I was last in one. When I collected Marvel and DC ruled, and newcomers like Image and Dark Horse were just getting started. The employee at the comic shop told me that Marvel has "officially killed" Wolverine for now although he still has some titles currently running. I hear that the power of Thor is no longer with Thor, but now in the hands of a female who has taken on that role and Falcon in now Captain America instead of Steve Rogers. DC is apparently going through many changes of their own as I hear about various versions of characters like New 52, etc.. Are you enjoying what the major comic companies are doing overall with their universes?
A funny note, I was blown away by what comics cost now. $3 and $4 cover charges seem so high coming from an old guy like me who used to buy books for $1 an issue or less.
1. I still like the hands on feel of old fashion paper. As for collecting I’ve been at it since the late 1960’s.
Vampirella from Warren was my first real comic. I buy singles, trades, hard covers for selected series, and some times Absolutes or Omnibuses.
2. Doesn’t effect me as I don’t really play any of the video games. I do however read the comic book Batman Arkham Asylum which I’m told is based on a video game.
3. I don’t really like reboots, both DC and Marvel have rebooted so many times it makes the head hurt. I tend to read and collect certain writers, or I find a character like Harley Quinn. Look through the Previews and read reviews online.
4. DC & Marvel are now just add ons to the Hollywood movies. I only collect a few new 52, I use to collect a lot of Vertigo titles, like Fables, Sandman. I now read and comics from the smaller publishers or the independents. Abstract: Terry Moore’s, Strangers in Paradise, Echo, and the fantastic Rachel Rising. Dark Horse and Image produce now the best in comics for an adult audience, along with Oni and SLG.
