firby5@yale-com.UUCP (Jim Firby) (02/26/84)
Before I get started on one of my favourite topics, I'd just like to say
how pleased I am to see the way .comics has grown and flourished these past
months, during which I was unwillingly incommunicado (they threw me off the
computer in Saskatoon before I could make other arrangements, and then we
had an especially traumatic move to the States) But I'm back now.
What I would really like to know is, who does Marvel think it's fooling?
The Secret Wars thing is just the latest in a long line of activities
calculated to separate the fan and his money, but I think it clearly
illustrates the disregard (voire, the contempt) the company has for its
audience. The responsible fan is faced with a true dilemma: on the one hand,he should avoid such an obvious piece of exploitation like the proverbial
plague, in order to teach Marvel that, contrary to popular opinion, we will
not rush out and get anything with mutants in it. But on the other hand, if
he is a true fan, and he must be, else why would he even be reading this stuff,
he became one because he genuinely cared about the characters in the books. We
all did, and we all still must, or else we would have found another hobby by
now. And because we care about the characters, we want to know what happens
to them. And so we are forced to buy the secret wars, because it is the only
way we will ever find out what happened between January and February.
I find it contemptable that Marvel would stoop so low as to exploit the
affection its audience has for its charaters in such a manner. And I can't
believe it has the gall to introduce (reportedly) 30 new titles this year,
instead of working to improve the established ones.
Well, I have to admit, the net is still the best forum for blowing off
steam I've ever found. I feel better already. Wish I could say the same
for Marvel.
One last thought, concerning Ronin. If I want to see Moebius, I'll read
Moebius. I don't need an imitation, no matter how good
Thanks for listening. It's nice to be back.
-joanne