Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2019 6:26:14 GMT -5
I'm not 100% sure, but I think John Byrne might have coined the phrase "de-unique" when describing DC characters.
At THIS link, which is his personal site, more details are provided on his thoughts pertaining to de-uniquing.
So, any thoughts?
As a kid, it was pretty cool to have all these multiple characters. What kid didn't enjoy seeing numerous incarnations of a character? I quite liked Batwoman once I read some 50s reprints (the late 80s saw a lot of vintage Bat-reprints when Burton's film was released). As a kid, I like that there were Super-spin-offs such as Supergirl, Krypto, etc. I try to appreciate comics for their entertainment - there's room for serious and quirky stuff - so having spin-off characters was cool.
At the same time, I did enjoy that the Marvel comics I read featured unique characters for the most part. In a world before Google, I wasn't even aware of Spider-Woman or She-Hulk until I came across their comics. Growing up, I enjoyed Spider-Man, Hulk, etc. I guess eventually, though, I came to realise that Marvel heroes weren't unique.
As an adult now, I am in agreement with John Byrne - and others. It's not absolute, of course. I can and did enjoy Into The Spider-Verse. But there are too many incarnations for my liking. Of course, no-one is twisting my arm and forcing me to buy multiple incarnations. But Spidey feels less special in a world where so many have similar powers - or are even called Spider-Man. In some ways, I wish there was just still one Spider-Man.
I have little-to-no interest in Red Hulk and Red She-Hulk. Maybe I will enjoy them at some point, but for me, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Like I said, it's not absolute. Spider-Man: Noir is great (I prefer spin-off characters with a USP). But for those without a USP, well what I have read of Miles Morales' Spider-Man is readable, but it didn't set my world alight. I know Morales is a unique human being, like all of us, but would I have been yearning for such a character to be created? No. I do like some spin-off characters, I have a fondness for Supergirl, Batgirl, etc. But there's no denying that as time goes on, and merchandising is probably a motivation, characters like Spider-Man are becoming less unique. They may always be iconic, but there are times when I feel they lack a USP.
I am painting with a broad brush here. I can point to spin-off characters I enjoy. With others, though, I am not interested. Unless it's in a 99p bargain box, I doubt I'd spend ten or fifteen quid on a Red Hulk graphic novel. However, I'll spend twenty quid on an original Hulk graphic novel.
It's a tricky balancing act, I guess. And I am eternally aware of the fact that comics aren't produced solely for me. Ten-year-old me was in awe of seeing all these characters from Krypton or seeing yet another Bat-character. I just can't help having days where I feel that some characters should have remained unique.
At THIS link, which is his personal site, more details are provided on his thoughts pertaining to de-uniquing.
So, any thoughts?
As a kid, it was pretty cool to have all these multiple characters. What kid didn't enjoy seeing numerous incarnations of a character? I quite liked Batwoman once I read some 50s reprints (the late 80s saw a lot of vintage Bat-reprints when Burton's film was released). As a kid, I like that there were Super-spin-offs such as Supergirl, Krypto, etc. I try to appreciate comics for their entertainment - there's room for serious and quirky stuff - so having spin-off characters was cool.
At the same time, I did enjoy that the Marvel comics I read featured unique characters for the most part. In a world before Google, I wasn't even aware of Spider-Woman or She-Hulk until I came across their comics. Growing up, I enjoyed Spider-Man, Hulk, etc. I guess eventually, though, I came to realise that Marvel heroes weren't unique.
As an adult now, I am in agreement with John Byrne - and others. It's not absolute, of course. I can and did enjoy Into The Spider-Verse. But there are too many incarnations for my liking. Of course, no-one is twisting my arm and forcing me to buy multiple incarnations. But Spidey feels less special in a world where so many have similar powers - or are even called Spider-Man. In some ways, I wish there was just still one Spider-Man.
I have little-to-no interest in Red Hulk and Red She-Hulk. Maybe I will enjoy them at some point, but for me, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Like I said, it's not absolute. Spider-Man: Noir is great (I prefer spin-off characters with a USP). But for those without a USP, well what I have read of Miles Morales' Spider-Man is readable, but it didn't set my world alight. I know Morales is a unique human being, like all of us, but would I have been yearning for such a character to be created? No. I do like some spin-off characters, I have a fondness for Supergirl, Batgirl, etc. But there's no denying that as time goes on, and merchandising is probably a motivation, characters like Spider-Man are becoming less unique. They may always be iconic, but there are times when I feel they lack a USP.
I am painting with a broad brush here. I can point to spin-off characters I enjoy. With others, though, I am not interested. Unless it's in a 99p bargain box, I doubt I'd spend ten or fifteen quid on a Red Hulk graphic novel. However, I'll spend twenty quid on an original Hulk graphic novel.
It's a tricky balancing act, I guess. And I am eternally aware of the fact that comics aren't produced solely for me. Ten-year-old me was in awe of seeing all these characters from Krypton or seeing yet another Bat-character. I just can't help having days where I feel that some characters should have remained unique.
