moriarty@fluke.UUCP (Henry Vogel) (08/09/85)
[Remotely posting for Henry Vogel... Moriarty] This is an open letter to everyone out there but specifically Jerry Boyajian (did I spell you name right, Jerry?). The letter concerns reviews and critics and how I feel about them as a comic creator. First, Jerry, thanks for reviewing SK#9 on the net. Don't feel forced to do so in the future if you don't want to, but I DO appreciate seeing what other people have to say about the book. Your review was well thought out, didn't offend me in any way, and mentioned places you thought I - or the book - could be improved. That's exactly what I look for in reviews. I have no preconceptions of myself as a comic writer. I'm new at this having only written 11 comics (9 of which have seen print to date). I have my strengths and my weaknesses and, like most creators, have trouble seeing them. A writer is really too close to his work to be a very usefull critic for him- self (at least this early in my career) so I *need* the input from readers to let me know where they think I'm slipping up. I've heard of writers who could care less what their readers think of their books as long as they buy them. I'm not like that. The Knights is written for people to *read* and if don't like what they read or find some areas that they think are weak, I want to hear from them. I will *not* necessarily agree with what they say nor will I necessarily take their advice, but the outside opinions are necessary in my opinion. What I don't like are knee-jerk reviews. "Oh look, it's super-heroes. I don't like super-heroes so I don't like this and what I don't like is trash." I've seen one or two reviews like that - they can most often be found in the Comics Journal. These reviews - or whatever - involve no thought on the part of the reviewer (I think critic would be the correct word here). They just lump the book into a category and dismiss it entirely. I must admit that these kind of reviews do get to me. If they don't like it, fine. But don't dismiss the book as bad just because it's in a category you don't like. I don't like horror (although I think it's called Sophiticated Suspense, now) but I don't simply dismiss Swamp Thing because it falls under that classification. (In case you're wondering, I have tried ST, found it excellently done and not the kind of book I personally enjoy. I *do* recommend that everyone try it though, your tastes and mine may differ on this point.) What I'm getting around to is, if you don't like a book, try to figure out why and then - if you do a review, write a letter to the comic book in question, or whatever - say why you didn't like it. If you thought it had some weak points, try to point them out to those involved in the book. This is truly the best way to get the field in general to improve. I almost forgot! If you *like* the way something was done, tell that in you review, letter, etc. too. All negative feedback is not fun to receive. If you think someone is doing a good job - or at least handled a situation well - let them know! Enough rambling. I don't know whether this came out as I had hoped it would or not but it was nice to get it said regardless. Just remember this next time you review something: A review can aid not only the reader but also the writer and a good review will benefit everyone! (Wow, that sounded corny.) Other stuff (have you ever noticed I can't seem to post short messages?): At the Fantasy Fair I picked up all 8 issues of Mage from Comico. We hadn't been able to find the book with regularity at the local comics supplier (just a newsstand that gets direct comics) so I hadn't read them before this. Simply put, Mage is *really* good stuff! This is one of the best titles I've picked up in a long time (not since Zot!... *sigh*). I heartily recommend it to anyone who hasn't been reading it. There have been lots of posting lately concerning the X-Men and I thought I toss my opinion in there too. Up until I had time to think about it, I sort of liked X-Men #198. I still like it as a story. The thing that bothered me was a simple human interest story suddenly became a Clairmont Cosmic Scale Story at the end. Suddenly Ororo is going to be the Saviour of Africa. Come on Chris, give her her powers back then she can save the whole world a few more times! Admittley (damn, I've forgotten how to spell admittedly) Ororo is *not* your average person, but why must everything the X-Men - and former X-Men - do be on such a cosmic scale? How many of you have read the latest FF where Sue proclaims herself to be the Invisible Woman? I thought her little speech at the end was heavy handed and really rather reciculous when you consider the GREAT REVELATION she dropped on us at the end. Characters have left teams they formed with less pomp. So she changed her. Fine. That's the sort of thing that could have come up over coffee in the morning. "Yes, dear, the Mets won last night. By the way, I've decided to change my name to the Invisible Woman." The FF rarely use their "code names" anyway, so what's all the big to do? Steve Saffel, Marvel's publicity director was at Fantasy Fair last weekend and he spent at least some of his time denying that Jean Grey was going to be coming back. My thoughts are that he *had* to do that. If he gave a no comment answer then that would give away the *big* surprise and of course he couldn't just tell people what was going to happen. Maybe, just maybe, he was telling the truth. I'll believe it when I see it! That's more than enough for now! Bye! Henry Vogel henry%clemson.csnet@csnet-relay