A (rabidly) different view of the Sandman-verse

[wtfbrain.livejournal.com]

theferrett has a somewhat-interesting rant on the Sandman comics, here. Personally, I don't agree with him, because he overgeneralizes the fanbase and puts everyone under the same umbrella - without acknowledging that there are non-rabid fans.

Still I thought it might be interesting to some of the players here.

Comments

[agoodshinkickin.livejournal.com]

There's nothing like a fanboy dork throwing his geek around to make the tired point: truly hardcore people hate things the moment they get popular.

He says it himself: He hates Sandman because it brings people into comic shops that he doesn't think belong there, not because they're ill crafted.

I won't even get into his comments on "feminist trappings"...

[wtfbrain.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I couldn't think clearly enough to express what you just said, so I just settled for trying to point out the contradictory statement of "I hate it but I also like it, and those two states aren't mutually exclusive," as well as his refusal to acknowledge that the rabid goth fans (who do exist, whether we like it or not) aren't the only kind of fans who exist.

Lately, I've found him to be rather full of himself, I dunno why I keep reading his stuff, it just gives me high blood pressure...

[agoodshinkickin.livejournal.com]

I just don't understand the mentality behind his argument.

A friend of mine asked me if I was upset that everyone and their grandmother was reading Lord of the Rings before the movie came out. As if having "non-geeks" reading them some how cheapened them. I told her that I thought it was cool that I had more people to discuss them with, she just didn't understand.

Course, she's the type to be upset that everyone likes Modest Mouse now. *shrug*

[wtfbrain.livejournal.com]

So now he's got a second post, with the "I know there are normal fans out there" disclaimer, but he sticks by his story that it's *the *fans who ruin enjoyment of something for him. I really can't understand that, though. If the people at the comic shop bother you, go to a different shop. Buy the graphic novels online, or through your local bookstore, and then you'll never have to deal with the squealy goth girls who think Dream is dreamy.

(Personally, I've only read Preludes and Nocturnes and am waiting for more to come into the library, but I think our Dream is dreamy. *grin*)

Me, I think I'll just stick to being a no-name fan in most of the fandoms I consider myself a part of. Yes, there are crazy people in most of them, but that doesn't mean that I'll enjoy them any less. Because, after all, God gave me a brain I can think with for myself. :D

[blue_ajah]

Looks to me like the writer has some Issues. Serious, unresolved issues affecting his ability to socialize somehow, because he seems really vituperative and of the opinion that if a person isn't clear on all sorts of details of comics fandoms in general, then they have no right to be a fan.

How many people, I wonder, have found their ways to other comics fandoms through Sandman? I'm sure the number is not small. Everyone has to start somewhere. (Granted, I started elsewhere -- but I never considered myself a hardcore comics fan, either. And I've only recently discovered Sandman, and am thoroughly enjoying it. YMMV.) The idea of "OMG you can't be a fan because you only know the popular stuff" hardcore exclusivity irritates me; something doesn't have to be esoteric to be worthwhile. Really.

Anyway, as you said, most fandoms have their share of the crazies/totally focused/overly obsessed, so eh, whatever. To each his or her own. :)

[vivien]

That was amusing. Silly, silly boy. He's the kind of guy I avoid whenever I go the comic store.

"Sandman" was definitely my "gateway" comic (all my Richie Rich and Archie book's from age 8 notwithstanding) and I have tried other titles along the way. The Vertigo titles are the ones that appeal to me the most. End of story.

Anyway, as you said, most fandoms have their share of the crazies/totally focused/overly obsessed, so eh, whatever. To each his or her own. :)

Oh, yes they do. To the joys of fandom kerfuffles and flame wars... and to the hard won wisdom needed to stay the heck out of them. :P

[lord-of-dreams.livejournal.com]

(Personally, I've only read Preludes and Nocturnes and am waiting for more to come into the library, but I think our Dream is dreamy. *grin*)

Er...me? If that means me, I blush. Like, a lot.

[locks_it_up]

I'll give him Moore. I will concede that much. Neil Gaiman is a master craftsman at any medium, it seems, but Alan Moore? Alan Moore can do and has done things with comics that I'm not sure anyone else will ever replicate.

But, damnit, I like Death. (Of course, I'm kinda biased.)