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Beau Smith: “I’m Batman.”
by beau Smith
Did you ever stop to think that when you read a comic book, a regular monthly comic book that has the same characters every month, that the writing credit scores on that book are wrong?
They are. one of the most crucial creators is always left out—YOU—the reader.
Batman by Bob Kane “I made this!”
Bob Kane may have developed Batman, but you as the reader should have a lion’s share of the credit. This has never been a lot more obvious than today. considering that I pointed out Batman, we’ll use him as the example (not picking on Batman, but I will). before the creative likes of Denny O’Neil, Chuck Dixon, and Frank Miller took over the writing chores on Batman, the character was pretty much a bland, costumed detective. It wasn’t until the first generation of comic book fans became the professionals and took over the writing of Batman that the former “Caped Crusader” turn into “The Dark Knight”.
Batman by Frank Miller. “Get off my lawn”
Batman went from semi-campy TV star turned comic book hero to gritty, grouchy, can “kick anyone’s ass and outsmart the rest” defender in the dark. The third generation of fans that were reading Batman loved this new adult-feeling Batman that they were given. When the third generation of fans turned professional writers, they continued this new tradition. Needless to say it has gone on and on as each decade has passed. What isn’t brought up is the fact that Batman has not really progressed much considering that then. The character and the writing, for the most part, has become smaller and inbred to a shrinking community that isn’t given a character with an expanding and compelling personality. You as a reader are meant to know Batman is a badass simply through assumption and because the writer of the week tells you so. That’s it. You get no more. You are short changed and you better like it.
The writers don’t feel that they need to add layers to the character because YOU must already know what they don’t want to write. through talking to others, what I’ve found out is that you as a reader are letting this happen. You as a reader end up doing all the work. You read the story and you, in your own mind, add layers to the character. The story and the character aren’t written as compellingly as they must be, but in your head you add the extra emotions to the character and that makes you come back the next month and get the next issue of Batman.
“Good question.”
It’s you who makes a decision that you like Batman and that one month when you pick that issue up, Batman is going to finally be the Batman that you have in your head. In reality, you are the co-writer of the book that is carrying the load. You’re the one who actually makes the character interesting along with the artist.
Too lots of times the reader is forced to read on assumption by the writer and the publisher. You’re expected to know everything that there is to know about the character as well as what’s in the writer’s mind. They don’t have the time or work ethic to craft that into their story, but they sure expect you to do it and then appreciate them for your hard work. reading comics shouldn’t be hard work without credit. It must be satisfying and entertaining.
The way it’s done now, your name must be on those credit scores as well and they must be paying for half of that issue for you. I am not putting you as a reader down. No, I am praising you for rolling up your sleeves and making a character, a comic book, entertaining when you read it. but you shouldn’t have to be the one doing the load of the work. That’s not fair.
Batman & Bane: The forbidden Dance. story by Chuck Dixon. Art By Graham Nolan
Your love of comics and the character must be respected by the writer and the publisher. They must do their best to give you, the reader, as much enjoyment for your money and time as possible. When you read Batman (the chosen example here), think about how much they are giving you as a character. Does the character flow like a river or do you have to pry the jaws of a steel trap open to get any of your emotional investment out of the character?
Think about it. apply it to any comic book you read. Are you getting good healthy enjoyment or are you getting processed, empty story calories? Be sincere with yourself. You don’t have to post up here and agree with me or even dispute it with me. get your comics, read them, and ask yourself, “Am I being served? Am I doing all the work? Why isn’t MY name up there on the credits?”
Consider this my idea for your enjoyment meal.
Your calorie counting amigo,
Beau Smith
The flying Fist Ranch
www.flyingfistranch.com