Steampunk, Man-Thing, and why Shackleton rules

[kali921]

james_nicoll asks about steampunk. Some of the answers are hilarious, such as realinterrobang: "I liked what another writer on the subject said: "It's something for goths to do when they realise they're too old for PVC clothing and dyeing their hair all the time will just make it fall out." Which, in my mind, totally misses the point and purpose

Comments

[box_in_the_box]

Actually, as I said on the new scans_daily, I'll go you one better - I think both Quesada and DiDio have THE EXPLICIT GOAL of driving away female readers, because the mere IDEA of "female readers" doesn't fit their view of what superhero comics should be (it's a rather glaring "coincidence" that DiDio was so hell-bent on doing away with Dick Grayson, who's not only a fan-favorite character, but is also one of DC's most popular characters among WOMEN). I even think that they'll gladly SACRIFICE PROFITS in order to make this happen.

Think I'm being paranoid? Amazing Spider-Man is currently selling its lowest number of copies per issue since THE JOHN BYRNE YEARS, and Quesada doesn't care. He's the spiteful little shit of a kid who will actually BREAK HIS OWN TOYS, just to prevent anyone else from being allowed to enjoy them.

[kali921]

Think I'm being paranoid? Amazing Spider-Man is currently selling its lowest number of copies per issue since THE JOHN BYRNE YEARS, and Quesada doesn't care. He's the spiteful little shit of a kid who will actually BREAK HIS OWN TOYS, just to prevent anyone else from being allowed to enjoy them.

I don't see how sales of ASM follow as a logical and intuitive reinforcer of Joe wanting to alienate female readers, although I agree that Quesada's attitude towards readers who don't like the new direction of the ASM book has been problematic.

Given the post-S_D fallout, I'd prefer to not refer to creators or editorial staff as "spiteful little shits."

[box_in_the_box]

To me, it's evidence that Quesada is indeed willing to sacrifice sales, just to have things how HE wants them, and how HE wants them ... well, he IS one of the co-signers of the "Bad Girls for Fanboys" concept, along with Bill Jemas.

[jencendiary]

RE: Steampunk - I find people trying to do steampunk who haven't read the canons - Sterling & Gibson's The Difference Engine, Stephenson's The Diamond Age, & etc. - to be infuriating. They were a product of their time (Being the late 80s-early 90s), and thematically about what the lower class does when they steal/invent/subvert the tools The Other Half uses for their own (usually nefarious) ends. It's decisively political, completely exciting and rooted in both history and then current-affairs.

Also, I don't like Abney Park.

[kali921]

Yes, but is there a definitive steampunk canon? You can go back all the way to The Adventures of Luther Arkwright from 1981 and find strongly steampunk elements to the story.

[kita0610]

What a FUCK.

[kali921]

I would have been happier if he'd just said "I hope that when you read it you'll change your mind" and LEFT IT AT THAT. The problem with Quesada is that he runs his mouth whenever the word "sexism" is brought up and derails, derails, derails, derails.

[kita0610]

I just don't even think I could read anything this guy had his hand in after that kinda shit.

I seriously have nothing but props for all the female comic fen/gamers etc. out there. My corner of fandom has spoiled me, I swear to god. If I had to deal with straight guys like in fandom that on a daily basis I would have to resort to being Cave!Buffy myself.

[kali921]

Well, to be fair, there are plenty of straight men in comics fandom who are committed allies to females in the fandom and do get, as much as it is possible for a man to get, what the problems are. But when you have the Editor in Chief of a hugely powerful publisher - one of the Big Two -- derailing? That's the problem. It cascades over into the fandom and reinforces with a powerful message a set of attitudes and a thought process directly counter to anything approaching a truly thoughtful and reasoned critique of why some women in comics fandom feel that they aren't taken seriously.

Edit: And there are books at Marvel where female characters are treated well. Otherwise I wouldn't be in the fandom at all. But still so much of a long way to go before I'm happy with everything!

[kali921]

Ashley was referring to the solicits released and how sexist they are.

A point that Mr. Quesada seemed to have entirely missed.

Rant away! This is a It's Safe to Rant space about the state of the industry.

The male characters aren't being treated that well in ASM now, are they? As a lot of other people have also noted, I can't stand the depiction of Peter as a lovable loser. And most importantly? The book just isn't funny anymore.

[kali921]

Hon, there's nothing wrong with feeling this way and expressing it. If reading fiction -- and comics are fiction -- inspires you, emotionally engages you with the characters such that you want the best/worst for them, comforts you, and you wind up invested in what happens in their lives? Welcome to humanity. I'd wager that every single human being on the planet who reads fiction regularly has had that kind of experience. I completely understand, believe me. In a collaborative storytelling medium like superhero comics, where numerous writers touch these characters, it can be an emotional roller coaster ride.

[shadowlongknife]

I never saw a copy of the Marvel Tarot ANYWHERE. WantwantwantNEEEEEEED.

[kali921]

It is absolutely beautiful.

[shadowlongknife]

I never laid eyes on it. That, and the second issue of the Marvel Atlas. They're on my headhunting list of Books Needed By Me.