On updating a classic (Off-Topic)

by Avateur , Thursday, April 18, 2019, 14:41 (2044 days ago) @ Cody Miller

If someone makes a Batman movie and gets either of these sides of his personality wrong, then it isn't a Batman movie. Not really. It might still be a good movie, but the fans will not accept it as part of "cannon" in their own minds.

And this is one of the reasons why comic books are bad in my opinion.

Why can't Batman change? Evolve? Be 'wrong' then learn 'right'? If your character is unflexible and unchanging, then you are losing a powerful storytelling tool.

Characters change all the time in Television and Film. It's when you get these larger-than- life must-coninue-eternally franchises that you are locked into bullshit like this. Comics always have to have another issue. So nothing can REALLY change. Just like a large franchise must always have another story to tell.

While I get your critique, it seems based on fandom rather than what’s written. It can be a complicated topic. I assume we’re just referring to superhero comics in this case, right? And not necessarily something like Watchmen? Yes, there generally must always be another issue. As writers change and potentially get to make their own mark on a character, the stories and characterizations can and often do change. Using your Batman example, he has evolved, been wrong, learned right. If you take each writer’s particular story as a snapshot of time within the character’s life, you’ll end up with plenty of repetition and some pretty core concepts, but then you’ll get some very satisfying and unique stories and arcs that you’re describing. It’s just a matter of who wants to take the risks and attempt to change up the norm. Also, will the next writer(s) allow it to stand and build off of it, or will they just revert back? And if they do revert back, you can still take it as a separate story from a separate time in the character’s life.

Also, when a character is compelling enough, it can be great to see different interpretations, similar and different. And you know that same thought applies to TV and movies, what with constant remakes and sequels going back to the early 1900s. Some shows and movies, new or remade, push character’s forward; others show a relatively unchanging but engaging character in different yet compelling situations. Some suck, some rock. Depends on the film, franchise, graphic novel, comic series, purpose, intent, etc. But you know all this.