Comics, comics and more comics. Last night, I was able to hang with a couple of great guys and talk about Black Superheroes. It is not something that I get to do. In fact, it is very much so out of the norm for me personally. The pandemic has honestly changed up a whole lot things. There is not a rush to go anywhere or do anything outside of the confines of your home. It is honestly one of the silver linings in this current state of affairs. So anyhoo... I was talking comics and it was pretty cool. You do not always get to chop it up with people who share this particular hobby with this subject matter. Black superheroes are an interesting dynamic in comic lore. Too often the characters are surface characterizations of people who clearly have depth in them but they are not always explored. While people scream lack of diversity in comics. I am not one of those voices for this reason. People do not consider origin source material or when people flip ethnic or racial personas. Its smells bad of lazing writing. I do not want to be appeased. I want to be pleased. There is a difference. That difference is the reason why hardly no one in mainstream comics is trying to create new characters.
When I search the internet to listen to people talk comics. I run into this talking point too doggone much. Its just wack. Here is why. Often these guys are white and lets be honest here... middle age and old. There are a few brothers who talk shop on this subject matter. However, either way. The premise that Marvel and DC in particular are damaging their beloved characters. Its not something trivial to them. There is hundred of hours of content on this perceived reality. I do not thing they are doing anything ultimately harmful. Yet then again who I am to say they are not. Which brings me to this point as I ramble along.
This hobby has 3 types of specialists. It is EVERYTHING. It is SOMETHING. It is NOTHING.
The EVERYTHING GUY is completely invested. Its his or hers world. There is nothing else. You gotta respect it. People have managed to not only put together massive collections and followings, but are able to monetize and create capital. However, as Jesus says life does not consist in the abundance of things. What am I saying? You do not have to have a massive collection to be this person. One of things I love about this hobby is that there is no right or wrong way to enjoy it. You are at the center of the hobby universe.
The SOMETHING GUY is invested but there is other things going on with them. They spend money and time in the hobby but can easily put it down without blinking because something else has their attention. People have other hobbies and interests. Nobody should be made to just do one thing. Variety as they say is the spice of life. The NOTHING guy isnt attached to the hobby beyond casual consumption. They might read a comic or two. They may go to a movie and see superheroes onscreen but that is about it. They couldn't care less about the mythos about characters and story lines. For them its a cool thing but just not the 'thing'.
I am this guy. EVERYTHING. SOMETHING. NOTHING. Life is sweet, no doubt. However, the complexity of life has afforded me the luxury of enjoying geek culture and at points walk away from it because there's something else to do or has my attention. It is not a struggle for me for one reason. Life happens. Some people do not know what life is outside of their hobby. However, everyday. There are people selling off their collections and there are people buying them to flip them or enjoy them. People walk away for any number of reasons. People lose marriages over this hobby. People lose focus over this hobby. People lose passion over this hobby. When you are young, priorities do not always ascend to the top of the mountain for you. Which is okay until it isn't. We all have to live and learn. In this hobby of comics collecting. It is about the stories. Tell me a story. Take me somewhere. Show me something. Certain elements today in the marketplace for comics do not even care. Its about money. Would you continue to collect comics if your collection is worthless? That is a hard pill to swallow because its a reality in 95 percent of collectors lives. When you attach yourself to something, remember it can mean EVERYTHING, SOMETHING or Meh...NOTHING. YOU DECIDE. THE POWER IS YOURS>
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Everything, Something or Nothing
Comics, comics and more comics. Last night, I was able to hang with a couple of great guys and talk about Black Superheroes. It is not something that I get to do. In fact, it is very much so out of the norm for me personally. The pandemic has honestly changed up a whole lot things. There is not a rush to go anywhere or do anything outside of the confines of your home. It is honestly one of the silver linings in this current state of affairs. So anyhoo... I was talking comics and it was pretty cool. You do not always get to chop it up with people who share this particular hobby with this subject matter. Black superheroes are an interesting dynamic in comic lore. Too often the characters are surface characterizations of people who clearly have depth in them but they are not always explored. While people scream lack of diversity in comics. I am not one of those voices for this reason. People do not consider origin source material or when people flip ethnic or racial personas. Its smells bad of lazing writing. I do not want to be appeased. I want to be pleased. There is a difference. That difference is the reason why hardly no one in mainstream comics is trying to create new characters.
When I search the internet to listen to people talk comics. I run into this talking point too doggone much. Its just wack. Here is why. Often these guys are white and lets be honest here... middle age and old. There are a few brothers who talk shop on this subject matter. However, either way. The premise that Marvel and DC in particular are damaging their beloved characters. Its not something trivial to them. There is hundred of hours of content on this perceived reality. I do not thing they are doing anything ultimately harmful. Yet then again who I am to say they are not. Which brings me to this point as I ramble along.
This hobby has 3 types of specialists. It is EVERYTHING. It is SOMETHING. It is NOTHING.
The EVERYTHING GUY is completely invested. Its his or hers world. There is nothing else. You gotta respect it. People have managed to not only put together massive collections and followings, but are able to monetize and create capital. However, as Jesus says life does not consist in the abundance of things. What am I saying? You do not have to have a massive collection to be this person. One of things I love about this hobby is that there is no right or wrong way to enjoy it. You are at the center of the hobby universe.
The SOMETHING GUY is invested but there is other things going on with them. They spend money and time in the hobby but can easily put it down without blinking because something else has their attention. People have other hobbies and interests. Nobody should be made to just do one thing. Variety as they say is the spice of life. The NOTHING guy isnt attached to the hobby beyond casual consumption. They might read a comic or two. They may go to a movie and see superheroes onscreen but that is about it. They couldn't care less about the mythos about characters and story lines. For them its a cool thing but just not the 'thing'.
I am this guy. EVERYTHING. SOMETHING. NOTHING. Life is sweet, no doubt. However, the complexity of life has afforded me the luxury of enjoying geek culture and at points walk away from it because there's something else to do or has my attention. It is not a struggle for me for one reason. Life happens. Some people do not know what life is outside of their hobby. However, everyday. There are people selling off their collections and there are people buying them to flip them or enjoy them. People walk away for any number of reasons. People lose marriages over this hobby. People lose focus over this hobby. People lose passion over this hobby. When you are young, priorities do not always ascend to the top of the mountain for you. Which is okay until it isn't. We all have to live and learn. In this hobby of comics collecting. It is about the stories. Tell me a story. Take me somewhere. Show me something. Certain elements today in the marketplace for comics do not even care. Its about money. Would you continue to collect comics if your collection is worthless? That is a hard pill to swallow because its a reality in 95 percent of collectors lives. When you attach yourself to something, remember it can mean EVERYTHING, SOMETHING or Meh...NOTHING. YOU DECIDE. THE POWER IS YOURS>
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