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From: GMS@psuvm.BITNET
Newsgroups: net.comics
Subject: Re: X-Men Sneak Preview & General comments (by Henry Vogel)
Message-ID: <1925GMS@psuvm>
Date: Thu, 4-Jul-85 16:05:04 EDT
Article-I.D.: psuvm.1925GMS
Posted: Thu Jul  4 16:05:04 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 11-Jul-85 05:37:27 EDT
References: <754@vax2.fluke.UUCP> 770@vax2.fluke.UUCP
Lines: 58

I just had to put my 2 cents into this discussion to represent an opposing
viewpoint.  Maybe I relate to comics differently than John or Henry (I've
been reading them since I was 5 -- and I'm 31 now).  I have followed X-MEN
since issue #1, which I bought at a grocery store in Pittsburgh
for 12 cents!  However these comments refer to all comics in general.
     
I look to comics as a visually-accented form of science fiction.  For that
reason I much prefer the serious issues that stick to a constant storyline
rather than the 'tweeners' that deal with problems such as the heartbreak of
a teenage girl (who has the power to destroy or save the world) getting hung
up on her acne at a Prince concert!
     
This isn't to say that I would want comics to be entirely devoid of humor. But
there are ways to make the humor realistrc as well.  (Some of Peter Parker's
remarks when he is fighting an impossibly strong foe -- if seen as a case of
defensive battle-weary syndrome -- fit the bill of what I like.)  Since the
early X-Men were a family of sorts they could engage in a mixture of humorous
and serious conversation.
     
I particularly liked series such as "The Phoenix Saga" and "The Brood" in
X-MEN, and the "Return of Trigon" saga in TT.  I realize that sometimes the
seriousness gets to be too much also, so I would emphasize the idea of not
getting to be TOO ridiculous.  (Gee, in a comic book format I'm not too sure
that makes sense - but there it is!)
     
I absolutely HATE the 'joke in a book' issues such as the X-MEN annual where
fight the Impossible man, or the one where Kitty tells Ilyanna a bedtime story.
To me they are a bad waste of good mo9ney that I could've spent on something
else.  When I want humor I'll either read a good William Tenn story  or check
out the local comedy club -- and I do both regularly.
     
The point is that I think it is one-sided to claim that the downfall of the
X-MEN in particular (and others is general) is do to the lack of lightness
on the parts of the writers/producers.  I wish they would eliminate the
'every issue is entirely different' trend and go for more continuity, with
a number of smaller storylines (which in themselves do not have to be too
serious), woven into one or two major (and longer) storylines.
     
The best comic I have found that managed to mix the ludicrous and serious
and MAKE IT WORK was 'Destroyer Duck'.  I*n this case it worked because it
contained some very unique concepts (the self-regenerating lifeform and human
phermone accentuation).  I loved the story behind the X-MEN/Teen-Titans book.
The art can then add-to or detract-from the effect of the story.  One of the
best combos of art/story I've seen yet is the recent SHATTER #1.  (I know
a lot of those in netland panned it but it was certainly new and different!)
     
At any rate, any who would like to debate me or enlighten me as to why I'm
wrong are welcome to send me mail at the address below:
     
Gerry Santoro
Penn State University
. . . !psuvax1!santoro  (uucp)
. . . !psuvax1!psuvm.bitnet!gms   (uucp --> bitnet   -preferred path-)
. . . santoro @ penn-state   (csnet)
     
     
"Hi, my names Logan too!  Maybe we're  related?"