So.... what DO you want?

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I see a lot of critiques (here and other places) about comics and comic-related stuff.... mostly negative.... and it's tough to sift throuigh what exactly it is people want. I've hypothesized that what they ACTUALLY want is the feeling they had reading comics when they were a kid, but are held back by inertia and still read the same stuff they've BEEN reading for the last 30 years and as such will NEVER regain those feelings since there's no real novelty to their books. Hence why there's so much noodling over insignificant details, humming and hawing over every little change, awareness of the behind the scenes stuff, geezerisms....

....but I could be wrong. So maybe you guys can explain to me what sort of stuff you look for, and why. And if you are gonna respond, please try to be specific. "Something good!" isn't a useful reply, since what we all consider good differs. Hopefully we'll get some exchanges too, since I find a lot of things need clarifying. (Like the debate over how horrible DC was for maiming Red Arrow, or Speedy, or whatever his name was.... and how they never would have done that back in the day.... except they DID, almost verbatum with Lightning Lad.)

Don C.

[Blue Meanie]

I want some continuity in comics again. I want there to be less titles of singular characters...Batman, Superman, Spiderman, X-Men just to name a few have way too many titles. It waters down the franchise and makes it confusing as hell to read books these days. I want actual STORY in books. Best example I can give is the Neal Adams Batman Mini/Maxi series that is coming out...lot's of STORY to read. Not just a bunch of POSES and no dialogue. I want more Veteran Artists drawing major titles...the majority of the NEW artists just plain old SUCK. My nephew can draw better than some of the artist Marvel has on major titles...and he's only 12. I want Dialogue back on the COVER of comics...how long has it been since you've seen that on comic covers on a regular basis. I want both Marvel and DC to stop wasting my time and money by putting Mini series and then 2 weeks after the Mini series is done they put out either a Hardcover or Soft Cover Trade...Put the damn thing out in one book. Comic collectors already have space problems with their collections. I want both the majors to go back to a lesser grade of paper so that they can make comics affordable again. I want both majors to sponsor a REAL Comic Book convention like the did back in the 70's...Wizard just sucks at doing comic conventions. I'm sure I can come up with more...I'll be back later with more

[boynightwing]

Superman/Batman #79 and #80 just had a terrific storyline that looked at Batman, Robin and Superman as they were in the early 80's and also as they might be a million years from now. Reading that book was the closest to feeling a sense of "home" from Batman and Robin that I've had in a few years now. It felt good to read. There was no unneeded bs and every character was who they should be. It was what I wanted from a comic book featuring my favorite characters.

Of course, they have to keep things fresh and there are bound to be changes. If I can't have Batman (Bruce Wayne) and Robin (Dick Grayson), then I'm also "at home" when its Bruce, Tim (as Robin), and Dick (as Nightwing). But they couldn't just leave it alone or do something creative given those things as guides. I feel so lost when I read Batman comics right now. It doesn't feel right or feel like home to me. It's like Grant Morrison took the one piece of fiction I loved the most right away from me and in its place left this...******* child. I think Damian as Robin is cool and entertaining. I loved when he teamed up with Supergirl. But it's all wrong. Multiple Batman's is wrong. No Nightwing is wrong. I actually like Steph Brown as Batgirl so that's fine. I also liked Cassandra. I'd prefer Barbara Gordon of course.

I wish DC could do a "Classic" Line of comics. A line that is not hindered by what's going in the greater continuity. A line that focuses on the icons I've come to love in their best and purest form. Team books that keep the same roster from issue to issue. I don't want them to be stuck in the 80's or 70's or whatever. I just want the characters to be the heroes they were created to be and continue to be recognizable. That isn't happening anymore.

[BlackKnight]

Dick Not as Batman
Morrison Not on Batman
Jim Lee on Green Lantern or His WildC.A.T.S. Again
Jurgens Back on BoosterGold
LarFleeze with His Own Title

[Brazoo]

I barely read any new superhero comics - but from time to time I'll check out what people have to say just to see if anything seems interesting. Most of the comments are pretty confusing to me too.

(Obviously this is a generalization. This isn't about any particular person on here, and it's an opinion I've gotten following other forums as well - so I hope no one on here takes this personally, because I'm really NOT thinking of any one person specifically.)

Like, if a character stays the same too long people complain that they're not doing anything with the character - but if they change the character people complain that they're ruining the character by messing with the legacy.

Most of the time I think people are just venting - because comics are incredibly expensive - and if the comic publishers actually followed what the average comic reader thought they wanted no one would want it.

Kinda like the Homer car:

[madmarva]

To me, the only real problem with comics today is the price, but that's with everything.

Certainly there are storylines and developments that I don't particularly care for, but overall the art and storytelling with comics today are better than they have ever been.

I lived through mullet-head Superman and the sorry Azreal/broke-back Batman storyline from the 1990s, I'll make it through another dead Fantastic Four member, Spider-Man's non-marriage and the Teen Titans becoming the Justice League.

Sure, there are favorite artists and writers I'd like to see more work from, but there's no way George Perez is ever going to draw two comics a month again, and he hasn't done that since the 1980s. Some creators like Byrne have burned too many bridges. Others make more money doing other things.

I wouldn't mind seeing some more done-in-one stories, but I understand the reality that companies are creating for reprint hard and trade paperback editions, whether they admit it or not.

Soon they'll be creating for digital publications and the floppies will somehow adapt to that or they won't.

If you've been reading comics for 10 or 15 years, you've just about seen it all anyway. And no matter the quality of the comics, they're just not as cool at 40 as they were when you first fell in love with them no matter what that age may be.

I once loved reading and watching mysteries, but I've read and viewed so many over the years that it's difficult to surprise me anymore. It's not even that fun trying to figure out what will happen before the reveal anymore. But I still read and watch them because there is something there that I just like.

It's the same with comics. I love the art form. I like their serial nature. It's relaxing and comforting to check in on Green Lantern, Captain America or Buffy every month, and to some extent I enjoy griping and moaning about the state of the industry, too.

[The Bat]

Wow, this a good thread! And it's a tough question...can the same feelings be brought back? I don't know.
I thought Neal Adams returning to Batman would be incredible(waited years for it)...but it was HORRIBLE, and I had to cancel the Book. I think the thing is, as we grew up Comics evolved with us....they had to or perish.
"What would I like to see"?

Marc Silvestri/ Chris Claremont- on X-Men
Paul Smith/Chris Claremont- Uncanny X-Men
Jim Lee/Scott Williams/Jeff Loeb- on BATMAN(w/Bruce Wayne of course)
Marshall Rogers- Detective
John Byrne- Fantastic Four
George Perez- Teen Titans(Original line up...but Tim Drake instead of Dick)
Ron Garney- Captain America
Ed Benes- JLA
Mark Bagley- Amazing Spiderman
David Finch- Wolverine
Ian Churchill- Superman
J. Scott Campbell-Batgirl(with Barbra Gordon, healed her Brainiac infection)

[johnnystorm]

I'd like to see more 'done-in-one' stories, a moratorium on events & crossovers for awhile.

I'd like to see characters written by intelligent writers that can put a new spin on them without destroying continuity (and I'm not just speaking about 40-50 year old details, I'm also talking about continuity from the previous writer on that same character, stuff that's been changed within a brief year or less (Shazam & New Gods, looking at you here).

I'd like to see editorial control over writers like Grant Morrison that veer all over the place . And editors that understand the motivations and long-term direction of their characters, not just guys that want to play in the Batman sandbox.

I'd like to see decent art not obliterated by computer coloring & inks.

I'd like to see heroes act as good guys and villains as bad guys.

I'd like a lot less death & gore for no reason .

I'd like to see no more changes for no real reason...stuff like Ryan Choi Atoms & Donna Troy revamps, things that are reversed or undone within a few months or years, only to resume the original status quo. No more pointless series like Countdown & 52 that took my money and made me feel cheated as they went nowhere and accomplished nothing.

I'd like to see more things like Wednesday Comics, which were well done and accomplished that new spin technique on classic characters.

I'd like to read more books like Brian Bendis' SCARLET or Kirkman's WALKING DEAD- things that make me really anticipate the next issue.

I'd like to buy more fun comics of the Brave & Bold type or the Tiny Titans for my daughter.

I'd like to see more long-term commitment from writers & artists, less 5-6 issue 'arcs'. And I'd like to see more veteran artists & writers getting these commitments.

I'd like to see an end to artists that are wannabe writers- like Scott Kolins. You can barely do the first, why think you can accomplish the second? Leave that to vets that have proven their ability to do both tasks.

[kingdom warrior]

What I want...

1. I want the prices of comic books to be lowered...... seriously It's a comic book not a magazine. also change the freeking paper!!!! I hate slick books that again look like mini magazines....I like the smell of old comic books.

2. TEACH THE ARTIST TO DRAW WITHOUT PHOTO REFERENCE!!!!!!!! Dear God how many artist are drawing straight from photographs and photoshopping pics. FREEKING CHEATERS!!!!!
Comic book art is a craft that takes years to master. That means draw draw draw!!!!
Not Tracing PICS!!!! That's not art that's SWIPING!!!!!!
Plus drawing directly from pictures makes things look flat and shows for me that the artist has no imagination nor skill.

3.LEARN THE ART OF STORYTELLING!!!!!!! Artist should take classes in storytelling, Will Eisner has a wonderful book called Comics and Sequential art IT IS A MUST READ FOR ALL aspiring artist.
Drawing stiff POSES in multi panels not comic book story telling!!!!

4. INKERS should learn to ink properly! That means add weight to the line NOT ink like your using a marker!!!!! That means learning to go from light to dark learn feathering techniques. That means learning old school methods.
I cannot stand how I see so many new artist and have no weight to their art. Take away the color and it has nothing to it.... relying so much on the colorist to carry the art!!!!


5. Writers that PEE all over the characters they take over to write. writing BS continuity that makes no sense and then leaving the title a mess!!!

Really is it that hard for a writer to go back and take some time to see what came before him? it'd be nice if the writer has an idea where the character has come from before he takes him in a direction that will make sense!

6. NO FREEKING GIMMICK STORIES!!!!! No Kill Batman,Superman or whomever!!! that is LAME!!! and so unoriginal!!!
NO changing costumes to sell freeking toys!!! Spiderman,Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman have iconic costumes leave them alone!!
No blowing up or resetting the universe crap....only to ignore all that was written a short time later......

If it was good enough for my Grandfather and was good it enough for me. it should be good enough for my kids and their kids kids!!!

[The Toyroom]

I'd like to see more 'done-in-one' stories, a moratorium on events & crossovers for awhile.

I'd like to see characters written by intelligent writers that can put a new spin on them without destroying continuity (and I'm not just speaking about 40-50 year old details, I'm also talking about continuity from the previous writer on that same character, stuff that's been changed within a brief year or less (Shazam & New Gods, looking at you here).

I'd like to see editorial control over writers like Grant Morrison that veer all over the place . And editors that understand the motivations and long-term direction of their characters, not just guys that want to play in the Batman sandbox.

I'd like to see decent art not obliterated by computer coloring & inks.

I'd like to see heroes act as good guys and villains as bad guys.

I'd like a lot less death & gore for no reason .

I'd like to see no more changes for no real reason...stuff like Ryan Choi Atoms & Donna Troy revamps, things that are reversed or undone within a few months or years, only to resume the original status quo. No more pointless series like Countdown & 52 that took my money and made me feel cheated as they went nowhere and accomplished nothing.

I'd like to see more things like Wednesday Comics, which were well done and accomplished that new spin technique on classic characters.

I'd like to read more books like Brian Bendis' SCARLET or Kirkman's WALKING DEAD- things that make me really anticipate the next issue.

I'd like to buy more fun comics of the Brave & Bold type or the Tiny Titans for my daughter.

I'd like to see more long-term commitment from writers & artists, less 5-6 issue 'arcs'. And I'd like to see more veteran artists & writers getting these commitments.

I'd like to see an end to artists that are wannabe writers- like Scott Kolins. You can barely do the first, why think you can accomplish the second? Leave that to vets that have proven their ability to do both tasks.

I like this list....in fact I like it so much put me down for the same....

[UnderdogDJLSW]

This is a great thread. I would like to see less gore and violence, too. That is a real turn off for me.

[The Toyroom]

But I'd also like to add:

1) BRUCE WAYNE as Batman...That's it...no more Dick as Batman or Batman as a corporation

2) Rectify the Peter Parker/Mary Jane Watson situation

3) Stop using the Green Goblin like he's DC's answer to Lex Luthor....He's not

4) Wonder Woman should go back to being the WW we all know and love and respect...The JMS experiment is bust anyway.....

5) Superman needs to get his head out of his butt and start being the PREMIERE super-hero again....enough with the whole Kryptonian War thing and the walking across the country (another failed JMS experiment IMO). I would make it a priority to get Geoff Johns and Gary Frank back on the monthlies...Those were great arcs and it's been crap since.

6) Stop the endless killing/reviving/new costuming of heroes just to get a blip in the next news cycle. The people that are casually hearing about these changes on the news or in their newspaper aren't your readers anyway and they aren't going to flock to the comic shops and bump up your sales...The whole "Death of Superman" experience is past it's prime.

7) "Done-in-ones"...Please, please, please! The long-drawn out arcs that span across the universe and multiple books is getting way tired.

I'm sure there's more.....

[Blue Meanie]

"What would I like to see"?
Marshall Rogers- Detective

This would be hard to do...Marshall passed away a couple of years ago. Shame too....man with that talent also had a "monkey on his back."

[The Bat]

This would be hard to do...Marshall passed away a couple of years ago. Shame too....man with that talent also had a "monkey on his back."

Damm...that is a shame. It guess I didn't remember hearing about it.

[Bo8a_Fett]

I want an end to these endless multi cross over events such as crisis/civi/siege/skrull/bruce wayne return/52/countdown sagas. yeah they were great when they were one offs or every 5 years or so..but 2 or 3 a year really pees me off especially when it's badly plotted written or drawn.
I want artists and writers to compliment each others work (yes that still happens but not enough).
I want writers/artists to feel for the characters rather than just seeing it as a job (again I know this still happens but to few and far between).
No more overcomplicating stories...keep it simple people sometimes it works wonders...leave the complicated stuff to those who do it well.
I'd rather have less titles that are well written and well drawn that the heaving mass that arrives every month.
If you are going to kill someone off then this should be a huge event...not something that readers are going to shrug off because they know the character will return within the year (poor Ted Kord seems to be an exception here).
Enough with the reimaginings every time there is a film or show that differs from the comic...or ultimates (yeah I know some of them are good but i'd rather see things like Avengers:Earth's Mightiest Heros, where something new is fitted into established continuity, rather than new histories).
Those are just off my head if I thought about it i'd be wriotting ansers all day.