Character or Creator

I see all these different threads asking all different kinds of questions and I thought I'd jump in and join the fun.
So, what do you look for in a comic, character or creator?

Say you like Batman. Will you read each and every single Batman comic, both regular continuity ones as well as Elseworlds?

If you read based on character, how do you judge the stories? Based on how accurately portrayed the character is? The consistency of the story and the art?

Now, if you read comics based on creator, how do you know what to buy from a specific creator?

Do you buy everything that creator does, or do buy based on what he's witting?

Like do you buy Powers by Bendis because you liked Ult Spider-Man? Would you buy a Bendis comic that featured two bathroom toilets talking with each other (this in no way implies that Bendis would write such a comic, I'm just trying to come up with a stupid ass example to know how far a creator's fan will go, nothing more).

Just curious...

[Taylor Porter]

I would never by every comic featuring a character that I like, nor would I buy every comic by even a favourite creator.

I do have leanings, though. For example, I do like Daredevil, and have a certain amount of confidence that his stories will be good. But I thought Bob Gale's storyline was pretty lame, and no longer own those issues, nor do I wish too. I also do not plan on ever buying Daredevil: Yellow. It just seemed pointless.

The same goes for creators. I love the Ultimates, but hate Mark Millar on almost everthing else. I've only read his Ultimate X-Men stuff on-line, and only the first 8 or 9 issues. There's a lot more than that at Marvel.com, but I have no interest in reading them, or ever buying an issue of Ultimate X-Men. On the other hand, I'll be buying the Ultimates trade as soon as it's in softcover.

I just like good stories. I have no further loyalties than that. My interests will lean towards creators and characters I've liked in the past, but I've learned to be sort of skeptical about everything lately (especially with prices being so damn high). I liked Bendis' Fortune and Glory a lot, and that made me interested in Total Sell-Out, but I'll still probably flip through it in the store before I decide if it's worth the dollars.

To answer my own question:

I buy based on character and concept, which is how I do pretty much everything.

I don't limit myself to certain creators since then I'd be limiting how much I buy (comics wise) or watch (TV/movies).

I prefer to concentrate on concepts because that way I'll watch everything and not judge it based on who did it (or who didn't do it).

[rockieman]

I also tend to buy primarily for characters, BUT I won't buy everything (my wallet won't allow that). This is especially true for characters with numerous books, i.e. Batman (my favorite character. Many times there is just too much crap out there. For instance, I'm going to pass on the new 8 part Batman: Family because from the previews I don't think it will justify spending $20. If I'm wrong, and word of mouth is good, I'll pick up the issues later or get the trade.

On the other hand, if I like a writer, I'll search out their stuff. But I won't buy their stuff for characters I could care less about. For example, I really like Greg Rucka, but I could care less about Elektra. I am also going to pass on Wonder Woman when he writes that series (although I did buy his WW hardcover, primarily because it co-starred Batman).

Certain creators also put out way too much to acquire. Have you noticed how many books from Ellis and Moore have been solicited in the last few months?

[rlwatson]

I buy based on both concepts. There are some creators who I'll follow to each new project. Azzerello, Ennis, Johns, Smith, all as you can see are writers. To me the stories are what get me. I will also follow certain characters, Batman, Shadow, Question, and a couple of others. Now I won't buy everything with those characters or that those writers write, but most of it. It is hard for me to judge anything with the Shadow or Question in it because I'm always so excited to see them in a story. Batman I usually judge by the stories.

[manosx]

Characters first, creators second. Kevin Smith is the only writer who I'll buy whatever he writes, and that's because I'm a Smith junkie. It sucks, but it's true. But even with characters, the stories have to live up. I stopped buying X-Men when Claremont started writing them again because they were boring. I started again when they revamped because it looked interesting and I still get them because they haven't really dissapointed me. On the other hand I slaveishly buy Titans even though it's never been that good because I know that when they get the right writer the book will soar and I just lovelovelove the Titans.

[Kevin T. Brown]

Both.

A good example for me is Peter David.

I love the man's writing. Period. But I'm not a fan of Marvel's Captain Marvel. Never have been, never will be. Otherwise, whatever PAD writes, I'll buy.

[Monkey in a Wheelchair]

I can understand following characters. Batman, Spider-Man, Wolverine, Buffy, the Sandman cast, John Constantine...
Some characters have facets many creators can exploit. And sometimes the creators make new facets.
'The Dreaming' eventually died without Gaiman to support it. JMS and Spidey. Ennis, then again with Azzarello on Constantine... People jumped from 'Ruse' when Waid left.
I'd say creators make a character.
-- chip

I say keep an open mind :)

[Wade @ Sighnub.com]

It is usually more character than creator. There are very few creators who have earned that kind of loyalty from.

Ah but when you get the best marriage of both--isn't that a beautiful thing.

[Michael Eidson]

Creator over character, every time. Not to say I won't check out new concepts by people I've never heard of, because I do. But if you follow just a favorite character, you tend to buy/read a lot of bad stories. Favorite creators are dependable; every now and then they might do something that doesn't tickle your pickle but for the most part, they deliver, because you know their styles and you know what you like.

[Elayne Riggs]

[quote]Originally posted by ManofTheAtom:
<strong>Now, if you read comics based on creator, how do you know what to buy from a specific creator?</strong><hr></blockquote>

You buy the first issue and see if you like it?

Consistency is part of the reason I follow certain writers and artists, so the "how do you know" bit doesn't really come into play that often for me.

- Elayne

[Jesse Hook]

This is a great topic! I'm a bigtime completist, even though it hurts my wallet quite a bit. I'll buy everything that Spidey's in, even though I thought Quality of Life sucked ass ( I like Rucka though usually, I wasn't feelin the cgi art) I still bought it. And I'll buy everything DD. Now with new stuff, I usually go with creator, like I'll pick up everything Smith writes, and usually Morisson, Millar, Ellis, and Bendis. And I'll pick up a new title if it looks interesting to check it out, and give it about 3 issues till I decide whether or not to pick it up, like FF and Captain Marvel right now. I also can't bring myself to drop something, no matter how bad it gets, for instance I really don't like X-Treme X-Men, but the completist in me just needs to keep going until the end...it hurts financially, but I'm a collector so i gotta stick with it.
Jesse

[Taylor Porter]

[quote]Originally posted by Jesse Hook:
<strong>I'm a bigtime completist, even though it hurts my wallet quite a bit. I'll buy everything that Spidey's in, even though I thought Quality of Life sucked ass ( I like Rucka though usually, I wasn't feelin the cgi art) I still bought it....I also can't bring myself to drop something, no matter how bad it gets, for instance I really don't like X-Treme X-Men, but the completist in me just needs to keep going until the end...it hurts financially, but I'm a collector so i gotta stick with it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Wow. I think that's really sad.

I'm trying not to be too rude or judgmental, but I just think that this is nuts. You spend money on things you don't like? I can't understand that at all.

I don't want to tell you (or anyone else) what they should do, but I would not recommend this behaviour. Your money is a vote. You're telling Marvel that you like X-Treme X-Men. Because of people like you, Marvel (and DC) thinks it's okay to publish crap. It's up to us to not buy the comics we don't like. If people like you stopped buying stuff you don't like, it will send the message to Marvel.

I think you could save a lot of dough, too. Think how much money you've spent on comics you don't like! If you're interested in comics, you could try to spend your X-Treme X-Men funds on some other comics. There has got to be something that you'd like better, something that you'd rather spend your money on.

Sorry if I sound like a jerk. I do know how you feel; in the past, I've often bought comics out of habit or completism. But I've tried to ditch that attitude, and I've never been happier. I don't think of myself as a comic collector, I'm a comic reader. And I don't want to read bad comics anymore. Not only do we not have to buy bad comics, but if we refuse to, then the companies will get the message, and stop making them.

[quote]Originally posted by Elayne Riggs:
<strong>Consistency is part of the reason I follow certain writers and artists, so the "how do you know" bit doesn't really come into play that often for me.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Could you define what you mean with consistancy?

Before commenting on it I'd like to know if you're using it in the context of 'I know the writer and I know what s/he does, so I'm comfortable with it."

[Dave Cummings]

She means consistancy because when you follow a creator over a character, you don't have to worry about creators constantly changing as you would do if you followed characters.


Me, I follow creators. Yeah, there are certain characters that I dig, but I would not buy everything about that book unless there was a creative team that I knew that I would enjoy. I mean, I would not buy a book that I would hate because of the character.

But, also I would not buy everything by a creator. Granted, if the creator comes out with a new book, I'll give it a try to see if it something that I dig. I mean, I love Bendis' work, but I didn't care for Elektra. Or, for that matter, I loved Planetary, but I don't like Warren Ellis' Avatar stuff at all.

But as for creators, I tend to follow artists over writers. Mainly because I am artistically inclined. The artists I follow are people like Carlos Pacheco, Ladronn, Joe Quesada, Steve Skroce, Mignola, the Kuberts, Jim Lee, and Eduardo Risso. The Writers I read mostly are people like Bendis, Azzarello, and Rucka. There are others, but these are the writers that I would buy no matter what.

~Dave

[quote]Originally posted by Dave Cummings:
<strong>She means consistancy because when you follow a creator over a character, you don't have to worry about creators constantly changing as you would do if you followed characters.</strong><hr></blockquote>

1.- I for one like it when characters evolve and change (Dick Grayson from Robin to Nightwing) and dislike it very much when characters stay stagnant forever (Franklin Richards, late 90's/early 21st Century Spider-Man, who is a copy of his 1960's version instead of an extension of the 1980's/early 90's material)

2.- A lot of writers could change styles from time to time, just like pencilers do.

[quote]Originally posted by Dave Cummings:
<strong>Me, I follow creators. Yeah, there are certain characters that I dig, but I would not buy everything about that book unless there was a creative team that I knew that I would enjoy. I mean, I would not buy a book that I would hate because of the character.</strong><hr></blockquote>

What about books that don't have familiar characters nor familiar creators, like DC's H-E-R-O? Would you get that?

I plan to get it simply because the concept sounds interesting. That I've never read anything by the writer or am not really all that crazy about Kano's art doesn't enter into the decision for me.

[quote]Originally posted by Jesse Hook:
<strong>This is a great topic! </strong><hr></blockquote>

Glad you like it :)

[quote]Originally posted by Jesse Hook:
<strong>I'm a bigtime completist, even though it hurts my wallet quite a bit. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I know exactly what you mean!

[quote]Originally posted by Jesse Hook:
<strong>I'll buy everything that Spidey's in, even though I thought Quality of Life sucked ass ( I like Rucka though usually, I wasn't feelin the cgi art) I still bought it. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I like Spidey too, but avoided that story because of the art and because I decided that I didn't really need to get it to keep enjoying the monthly title. Had it had any redeemed quality as far as continuity goes, I might have considered getting it.

[quote]Originally posted by Jesse Hook:
<strong>And I'll pick up a new title if it looks interesting to check it out, and give it about 3 issues till I decide whether or not to pick it up, like FF and Captain Marvel right now. </strong><hr></blockquote>

That's very cool! I wish more people did that, then more great titles would get a chance and last longer.

[quote]Originally posted by Jesse Hook:
<strong>I also can't bring myself to drop something, no matter how bad it gets, for instance I really don't like X-Treme X-Men, but the completist in me just needs to keep going until the end...it hurts financially, but I'm a collector so i gotta stick with it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I hate dropping books too, but one of the great things about DC is when one book ends (Deadman, Suicide Squad, Impule and Superboy, just to give an example) more start (H-E-R-O, Power Company, Gotham Central, Aquaman).

I did have to drop Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Captain America, Iron Man, Fantastic Four and a few others when it became to expensive to get them (I dropped F4 for a reason other than money...).

I recently started to get F4 and C.M. again and hunted down the issues I was missing and got most of them (I'm missing one of C.M. and three of F4).

I do plan to drop Thunderbolts after they relaunch it (I bought the original series and Marvel clearly doesn't want my money, so why should I keep giving it to them? Besides, the concept idea sucks. I give it a year...)

[Darth Presley]

I'll follow creators mostly but I will give a look-see on books if I like the character but am unfamiliar with the team -

how about you guys?

:D

[bigstumpy]

Originally posted by Darth Presley
I'll follow creators mostly but I will give a look-see on books if I like the character but am unfamiliar with the team -

how about you guys?

:D

Pretty much the same feelings as you sir.

[adamcasey]

I read in the latest Wizard about Brian Bendis saying people follow more creators than characters.

In his case, I think he's chasing people away instead of attracting them.

For me personally, there are a few creators who I prick up my ears and pay attention to their new projects. Those are Howard Chaykin, Sam Keith, and Jim Starlin.

Ellis, Cassady, Morrison, etc.? Not at all important to me.

Characters on the other hand, ARE important to me. Green Lantern. Identity Crisis. Loki. Hawkeye.

Unless it's drawn and/or written abysmally (Invaders, I'm looking in your direction...), I'll give it a shot.

[Moonbeam]

MotA

:(

[Aaron Calimeri]

Originally posted by Moonbeam
MotA

:(


Yeah, when I first saw this thread, I thought maybe he was back, but alas, a cruel joke.

[adamcasey]

Originally posted by Aaron Calimeri
Yeah, when I first saw this thread, I thought maybe he was back, but alas, a cruel joke.

This is a bit of Newsarama history I believe I'm unfamiliar with. Could someone fill me in?

[tralfaz]

Originally posted by adamcasey
This is a bit of Newsarama history I believe I'm unfamiliar with. Could someone fill me in? think of me but a thousand times crazier, without common sense

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by tralfaz
think of me but a thousand times crazier, without common sense this implies that you have some....


;) :D :p

[Jack Burton]

I was freaked for a second

[tralfaz]

Originally posted by cyclopsfan
this implies that you have some....


;) :D :p
hardee har har... lets have some more unoriginal cliches :rolleyes: :p :D

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by tralfaz
think of me but a thousand times crazier, without common sense

LOL ... that's actually a pretty accurate description :D

MotA was a very active poster here.

He was great at keeping us up-to-date about things (like tralfaz) -- posted a LOT here (like tralfaz) -- always knew the latest news about comics -- and started some great threads (just like tralfaz does). But he was quite headstrong (kinda like tralfaz).

Problem was, the dude didn't know when to stop and back off.

He was known on more than one website in the comics community, and wasn't particularly beloved. Most of us could get along with him here, though. We just knew not to allow ourselves to get caught up in his arguments about the topics for which he had that quirky passion of his.

Plus I think Matt slapped his hand a little now and again.

But the real killer of MotA ... the beauty that killed the best ... was ... he had a thing against the Superman: Birthright title. He was very protective of continuity -- particularly that of Superman. So he became a tad obsessed with the "errors" in Birthright, and even started a website that slammed the comic.

Ms. Gail Simone, being a friend of Mr. Waid I suppose, was quite defensive of the work itself, as well as the freedom of writers to re-interpret characters' histories under the direction of their editors and publishers.

The two had some discussions on Newsarama, about this subject as well as others, and it got heated.

A few choice words later, and MotA was banned from Newsarama.

Quite the controversy.

For some strange reason, I kinda miss him right now. :(

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by tralfaz
hardee har har... lets have some more unoriginal cliches :rolleyes: :p :D isn't a cliche kind of a pre determined thing.. how can pre determined be original?

[tralfaz]

Originally posted by cyclopsfan
isn't a cliche kind of a pre determined thing.. how can pre determined be original?
dont you love irony and the way i juxtapose words?

[Moonbeam]

he's got a point

"unoriginal cliche" is redundant ;)

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by Moonbeam
he's got a point

"unoriginal cliche" is redundant ;) and repetitive.

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by tralfaz
dont you love irony and the way i juxtapose words? i prefer your over the top swearing

[tralfaz]

it was intentional... stop overanalyzing it.. i was about to go hardcore with the cursing with the statement, but i didnt want to start a fight.. cuz god know we need another one of those on these boards

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by cyclopsfan
and repetitive.

and bombastic and inessential and long-winded ...

kinda loquacious and oratorical too ...

and padded, palaverous, periphrastic, pleonastic, prolix, reiterating, repetitious, spare, supererogatory, superfluous, supernumerary, surplus, tautological, unnecessary, unwanted, verbose ..

and a little bit wordy too

imho

;)

(then again, so are my avatar and sig, eh?)

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by tralfaz
it was intentional... stop overanalyzing it.. i was about to go hardcore with the cursing with the statement, but i didnt want to start a fight.. cuz god know we need another one of those on these boards im just joshin ya. nothing serious

[tralfaz]

Originally posted by cyclopsfan
i prefer your over the top swearing
well, i can bash you for supporting a warmongering, racist, gay bashing moron, how bout that? but i hate discussing politics... it gets boring and no one is ever right...
except for me of course :p

we're all palying around anyway

dammit, cant type for shit or spel

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by cyclopsfan
im just joshin ya. nothing serious

oh fine ...

leave Moonbeam out here flapping in the wind ... putting him down and lambasting him all on her own ... ya wimp ;)

[tralfaz]

god, am i this bored? why cant the cards make a game of this series?

the curse is over

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by tralfaz
well, i can bash you for supporting a warmongering, racist, gay bashing moron, how bout that? but i hate discussing politics... it gets boring and no one is ever right...
except for me of course :p

we're all palying around anyway this is true. I do agree with you that im always right

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by tralfaz
god, am i this bored?

I know I am :(

(btw, thanks for reminding me!)

[tralfaz]

7 mins till adult swim!!!

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by tralfaz
7 mins till adult swim!!!

ok I take that back

I'm clearly NOT as bored as you

;)

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by tralfaz
god, am i this bored? why cant the cards make a game of this series?

the curse is over i think this is really good therapy for the people of Boston. Break the Yankees hearts, and then win against a team that has beaten you in the world series the last two times.

[tralfaz]

Originally posted by Moonbeam
ok I take that back

I'm clearly NOT as bored as you

;)
the end of major league is on