One of the things that seems to happen is that an event occurs in a character's life, that could be called defining. That's fine. The problem is when every writer afterwards feels compelled to do a story about the exact same thing with the character, beating us over the head with the importance of the event.
Dick Grayson having a falling out with Batman two decades ago, and still having issues about it, and being angst-ridden and depressed over it, and generally seeming like a codependent little child can get rather tiring to read I would imagine. The sad thing is, there are ways to give a nod to the history, without clubbing the reader with it, like we're a cute, helpless baby seal. For example:Tony Stark has a long, and well-publicized problem with alcohol. It would be perfectly fine, within a story, to depict Mr. Stark at a dinner party, where everyone has a glass of wine or champagne, but Tony has only water. That would nicely reinforce established history. He might even politely refuse the wine list. It tells you what you need to know: Tony Stark don't imbibe the spirits.
On the other side, you have the disaster that has been the Hank Pym/Janet van Dyne relationship. Any time the two are in a book together, you can be sure there will be an entire issue devoted to Hank trying to get Jan to get back together with him, which inevitably leads to a rehash of Hank's myriad mental issues, and oh yeah, that time Hank smacked her around.
I'm not saying that should be swept under a rug, but at some point writers need to stop trying to push those characters together, because they always end it the same way. So maybe show Jan dating other men, and Hank taking it in stride, or Hank realizing that he really can't be with Jan, there's just too much history there. And then the character's move on. Maybe be friends later on down the road. Just a thought.
So, what storylines regarding a specific character would you like to see dropped/wrapped up/done away with entirely?
2 comments:
The Punisher's always going on and on about how his family was gunned down by the mafia. Dude, that was like... what? Twenty years ago? Move on, pal.
Also, the thing about Batman's parents being gunned down in an alley. You're a friggin' millionaire, buddy. Boo hoo.
jake: those thoughts about Batman? That pretty much sums up my problems with Citizen kane. Oh, your childhood was ruined because you got a bunch of money and were taken from your home in the mountains to attend private schools.
B-O-O-H-O-O.
As for the Punisher, it's been mentioned a few times that he's aware that he killed the guys who did it (see The Punisher: The Cell), and that he can't bring them back. At this point, it's more like their death opened his eyes to the world around him, and set him on his path.
That said, Nicky Cavella found out it still isn't wise to mess with his family memories.
But, you're right, it's well established, writers don't need to spend much time on it.
Post a Comment