Off the Cuff: the completist
I’m a completist. And as the name implies, I like to complete things. Those “things” don’t really matter. It can be completing video games, reading the whole run of a comic book, or watching all the episodes of a TV show.
The only thing I don’t like to complete is eating all my vegetables.
But this can be a problem. For example, what happens when something is horrible? That’s when the completist is in trouble. Suddenly he or she finds an internal struggle brewing. Do I finish the <insert name of current obsession>? Or do I cut my losses and run? It’s a tough position for a completist to be in.
Collecting comic books, despite an awful story, is probably the most commonly discussed example. However I have one that’s much worse - I have an almost compulsive need to finish watching the entire run of a TV show. This is especially true of anime.
I tell myself, “I can stop anytime I want.” But I can’t. I’m stuck between wanting to turn off the TV and being committed to the end.
For instance, I wasn’t a fan of Full Metal Alchemist, One Piece, Death Note, or Blood +, and yet, I kept watching. In some cases I’m still watching.
Part of the issue is that by the time I realize I don’t like a show, I’ve already invested 20 or 30 hours into it. That’s a lot of time to simply say, “yeah I don’t care about what happens.” But I know I’m lying to myself. I want to know how it ends. What’s the good of starting a story if you’re not going to finish it?
The other part is a total lack of options. If I want to watch anime on TV I can either watch Cartoon Network…or buy my own. So at the moment I am subject to the Cartoon Network programming overlords. Which means watching anime that under my own powers, I wouldn’t be watching.
I suppose this is just the completist dilemma.
So how about you? What do you have trouble giving up even though you know you should?
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January 16, 2008
Off the Cuff: Anime as a PSA
Comics, Cartoons, and all things related
By Eric Barrett
Some days I’m amazed at just how far cartoons and comics have come to influence daily life. Yesterday as I was watching TV there was an anti-drug advertisement. That’s not totally unusual. You see those PSA’s all the time. But what struck me is that this commercial was in cartoon form.
Specifically anime.
There’s no question that anime has had a profound impact on our entertainment. Cartoon Network’s lineup (especially Adult Swim) is comprised mostly of anime. Some people consider this a bad trend. Personally I like anime and it’s style, so I’m fine with it.
If the people who make PSA’s think anime is what it takes to “reach the kids”, then anime has reached critical mass in this country. And the good news is that it’s pulling comics and cartoons right behind it.
No word on whether it stops kids for doing drugs.
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March 31, 2003
Still on the Shelf #2 - Birds of Prey
Still on the Shelf #2 - Birds of Prey
Originally published March 31st, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.
Birds of Prey is one of the lesser of DC’s Batman-related books. Oracle and the Black Canary are the focus of this title, but it is not uncommon for characters like Huntress, Nightwing, Spoiler, Blue Beetle, and others to be injected into story arcs, due to Oracles well-known “network of connections,” and other personal relationships. One of the best things about this title is a trait that many of the other of these lesser Bat-titles share: the motivations and experiences of Batman’s chosen circle, without the big guy himself around. It helps to establish a solid, independent foundation for these characters that makes their interactions with Batman himself that much more interesting. For that reason alone, this title is worth an occasional read.
Last issue-
Not a lot of action occurs in Birds of Prey #53, but they did lay a lot of groundwork for the continuation of this story-arc. Dinah and Barbara take a much needed vacation (smell the literary cliché), and while about, Dinah meets a gentleman by the name of Tom, who sweeps both Dinah and Barbara off of their feet over the course of the issue. This leads to the both of them analyzing their current, respective relationships. Dinah seemingly emerges from this crisis of the heart more firmly entreanched in the notion that she is making the right choice by remaining with Oliver Quinn, while Barbara is left much more confused about the state of her relationship with Dick Grayson. And, as all tales of this nature go, no matter how ideal Tom seemed, we are given a hint at the end of the issue that he may have some very shady connections indeed, which will no doubt pop up to cause trouble in the next issue.
Thoughts-
This is a title that I feel suffered a great deal when the “Birds of Prey” television show was introduced on the WB. As anyone who gave the show a shot already knows, the premise of that show was a hodgepodge of concepts from throughout the history of the “DC Universe,” some of which quite blatantly contradicted the current state of affairs in the comic book realm. While this is not unusual, it did lead to some changes in the Birds of Prey title that I found to be pretty distasteful. A lot of the depth in the story was tossed out in favor of some much more shallow, “Hot Chicks fighting crime”-type action, and the whole book was given a feel that would be of much greater appeal to fans of the TV show. This proved pretty disastrous to the quality of the title itself, and it has seen a pretty steady drop in sales over the last few months.
With the cancellation of the television show, the creators of Birds of Prey seem to be very actively engaging in damage control, as pretty evident by the last issue, #53. Some pretty wide gaps in logic were filled in (like how could someone break into the Clocktower so easily?), and stronger ties were reestablished to important characters to both Dinah and Barbara, namely Nightwing and the Green Arrow.
Bottom Line-
Birds of Prey #54 comes out on April 23rd- this is a pretty good time to jump in, since it is the second issue of the new story arc. If this title returns to its focus from a few months ago, it should return to being a very solid book. The art is great, and so long as the story catches up with that, again, all should be well with the title. At this point, I would say that Birds of Prey is definitely worth a look- judging by issue #53, they are laying the groundwork for a solid upswing. Gail Simone and Ed Benes are set to take over the title beginning with issue #56, which should be a real boost to the recovery of Birds of Prey. Gail Simone most recently worked on Agent X (and Deadpool prior it its cancellation). I really enjoyed the work she did on that title and have very high hopes for what her addition to Birds of Prey will mean for the quality of the story.
Next week, I will be taking a look at Sleeper. As always- I appreciate any suggestions you might have for titles you would like to see covered here. See you next week!
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March 25, 2003
Still on the Shelf #1 - Spider-Girl
This was the very first column I wrote for ComiXtreme.com. Needless to say, I got much better at writing Still on the Shelf as the weeks went by. The original column was pruned after a time, as it was old, and we needed the space :). So here, in more-or-less its original form, is Still on the Shelf #1- Spider-girl.
Still on the Shelf #1 - Spider-Girl
Originally published March 25th, 2003 on www.ComiXtreme.com. This work is, of course, © Craig Reade.
I (and I know many of you) have seen many of my pet favorite comics get cancelled with no ceremony. We all know that most X-titles, the major Batman books, and all other titles of that nature are relatively safe from cancellation no matter how bad things get. Their sales are typically to high to worry about getting the axe. However, books like some of my favorites, Slingers, for instance, will get cancelled no matter how much promise they show due to low sales, corperate re-invention, or any other excuse you can possibly imagine. We have all had this happen to us at one time or another.This column is going to focus on the titles that are not in the limelight. You may have heard of it- heck, you may have even read it once or twice, but these titles are not nearly selling as many copies as mainstays like Spider-man and Batman. On occasion, I will focus on a title that comes from one of the smaller, independant companies that I feel warrant some attention. This week, Still on the Shelf highlight’s Marvel’s Spider-Girl.Spider-Girl was the flagship title of the ill-fated MC2 branch of Marvel Comics. MC2 promised to be a “lighter and happier” vision of the future, quite the opposite of “possible future” title attempts like the Marvel 2099 Universe. The vision was simple- a story of the next generation of Marvel superheroes that would not take place in the gloom and doom of a post-apocalyptic future. In addition, the creators attempted to capture some of the magic of comic stories from decades past. In that task, they certainly succeeded.
Spider-Girl started with the same concept that Ultimate Spider-man is trying now- attempting to capture an audience with a new story revolving around familiar themes (with up-to-date dilemmas), where the reader is not encumbered by lack of information from decades of back issues. May Parker deals with many of the same issues that her father, Peter did at the beginning of the Amazing Spider-man run- balancing the busy social life and school obligations with the responsibilities od someone with “Great Power.” Added to that is the pressue of somewhat cynical parents who know of her powers and “superhero identity,” and do not feel she is ready to pursue it.
The strongest secondary characters in the title, as with the original Amazing Spider-man, are fellow student’s at May’s high school. She interacts with these characters constantly and works to conceal her identity as Spider-girl from them. All of them have become quite deep and complex over time, and chances are, you can identify with at least one of them in some way. Peter and Mary-Jane also have important roles, as well as the heroes from the other ill-fated MC2 titles. May also has a unique Rogue’s Gallery all her own, not relying solely on tired retreads of old Spider-man villains.
The current story-arc puts Spider-girl up against the “Soldiers of the Serpent.” As with most of the best stories this book has offered up in the past, May is completely outclassed by the leader of the group, Seth, in terms of power. May is faced with the choice of walking away (her father’s preference), or facing an unwinable situation head-on. As often happens in comic books, the choice is made for her. That, of course, is where the story gets good!
I have to admit that I have been a fan of this title since it’s very first issue. Tom DeFalco created Spider-girl, and has been writing the character ever since. Because of that, there has been real consistency in May Parker’s development and the evolution of the title itself. Much like Mutant X was, this title is self-reliant, and outside the normal Marvel Universe. As such, major plot developments happen in this title alone- no need to worry about a major event happening to May in another title that you don’t read (like the Syrin/Deadpool issue in Wolverine 155). It is generally a light, fun read that I can recommend to anyone. It is kid-safe too: there are no over-sexed heroes and half naked heroines in erotic situations. This is really a rarity in this day and age. You’ll have no trouble showing this book to your kids, or future kids. The writing has been great, and the art has been consistent and good. It is currently in serious danger of cancellation, as it has been many times in the past, so be sure to give this book one last look. You never know- a sudden spike in sales may save this title.
Spider-Girl #58 is out now. Spider-girl #59, due out in stores April 3rd, will be the final part of the Season of the Serpent storyline. A new arch will begin with issue #60, due out May 8th. If you are looking to try something new, now is a good time to give Spider-Girl a shot.
If you have a comic that you do not think is getting enough attention, and want me to take a look, feel free to email me or send me a PM, and I may cover it in a future Still on the Shelf. Just remember to please avoid recommending any titles in the top 25 in sales. Thanks for reading, catch you next week!
Ironically, Spider-girl WAS saved from cancellation, and is still being published today.
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