Short Cuts: Hard to Believe! Successful Comic Concepts that Challenged Your Acceptance!









Martinex1: Recently we have talked about our appreciated seriousness of comic book concepts (as well as the opposite lack thereof).  Today let's consider characters, situations, powers, gadgets, and predicaments that challenged your personal level of acceptance.   The suspension of disbelief is an important aspect of enjoying comic books, but what particularly successful concepts really were on the edge for you?  What "strange" things became relatively accepted in comic books, but you personally never really liked or struggled to appreciate fully.


I want to stick with successful and repeated particulars if possible (because there are just so many weird one-offs), but let's discuss and create a list of the things that just about annoy you enough to make you not buy a comic.


To get us started, here are an array of those types of things that give me pause.


CHARACTERS:   I always marveled that Fin Fang Foom was an accepted and acceptable archenemy of Iron Man.  The dragon always seemed like a stretch for me.  I don't particularly dislike the character, but he does make me scratch my head.   From his name to his pants, the villain is one that when I step back and look at it, he doesn't make a lot of sense.

Similarly, I have really come to enjoy the new Guardians of the Galaxy and the whacky team members.   But there is still something about Groot and Rocket Raccoon that screams "Silver Age Madness!" to me (even through Rocket is from the Bronze Age).   I have to give credit to the modern creators for making this work.  That is good writing and characterization if you can make me care about these characters.   But I still hesitate a bit.

GADGETS AND DEVICES:  I will probably generate a lot of debate and derision in the comments with this one, but I've always thought the Batmobile is just silly.

For some reason, I just cannot put it into the proper perspective.   How does it get built?  Can't it be tracked?   It is something that is so much a part of the Batman mythos, and because of that it actually had slowed my liking of the character.  Again, it seems like a very dated concept to me.

But if you think I am ripping on DC only, I will add that Reed Richard's Ultimate Nullifier is a complete contrivance.  And even certain uses of Spider-Man's webs leave me less than impressed.  

 

POWERS: Superman's X-Ray and Heat Vision! Ugh! Wonder Woman's Magical Lasso! Huh!

 

So what do you have to say?  Are there comic book concepts that challenge your acceptance?  And maybe you love them anyway?   Let's get the conversation started! Cheers!

 

Chew The Fat: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - A Spoiled Discussion

Martinex1: The movie has been out for a full two weekends in the States, so it is time for an unfiltered, unhindered, spoiler-laced discussion of Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2. Let's talk about everything in the movie including but not limited to the plot, character development, special effects, key story beats, Mantis, Yondu, Ego, baby Groot, humor, villainy, the soundtrack, and the credit scenes,

To get the ball rolling, consider the following queries about this sequel:

Did the movie expand on the first film or just mimic it; did it add to the overall Marvel Universe?

Did the film deliver on the humor and good will that was apparent in the first film?

Were the new characters welcome additions to the group; do you feel you know the characters better now?

Was it repetitive or innovative?  Did it live up to the hype and expectations?

Many other movies imitated the first GOTG film and started to rely on songs of the 70s for their soundtracks; was GOTG Vol 2 successful in its musical decisions?

What did you think about the scenes interspersed in the closing credits?  Are you looking forward to future Marvel escapades?

If there is one criticism of Marvel films, it is that the villains are underdeveloped and one-note - what did you think of the villainy here?

How did the movie reflect the comic book universe?   Do you feel it was faithful to the imaginary universe we grew up with in the Bronze Age?

What would you have liked to see more or less of in the film?

In general was the acting, script, action, dialogue, and plot up to your expectations? How do you rank this compared to other Marvel cinematic offerings?

Share your thoughts, reviews, critiques, and commentary.   And please don't read the comments if you have not seen the movie and want to remain unspoiled.   Cheers!