The Outhouse - The Greatest Comic Book Forum

[Drcharles]

Ive noticed for a long time that certain comics are having fewer words in them, and the new crop of DC comics are the worst examples of this, especially the ones that Geoff Johns is working on.
So really as it come to this? There’s virtually no story to read any more, and someone like Johns is doing so many comics that he simply does not have the time to actually write stories for the comics.
Well DC comics have started their Universe off again, and I can understand why, but I feel the old order is slowly going now, and if this is how comics are going to be in the future then I’m not going to be a part of it anymore.

[nietoperz]

I'm currently reading Avengers Essentials vol 8, and while it's true that 70s comics could often tend toward the verbose, I have to say that I kind of miss comics that it actually took a little time to read. The lowered page counts don't help, of course, but the decompression is a joke. I mean, I just read the Thanos / Adam Warlock story from the 1977 Avengers and Marvel Two-In-One annuals and realised that what was then a two-issue story would nowadays constitute a 12-part limited series (probably with additional spin-off titles). It takes the piss, a bit.

[habitual]

I'm currently reading Avengers Essentials vol 8, and while it's true that 70s comics could often tend toward the verbose, I have to say that I kind of miss comics that it actually took a little time to read. The lowered page counts don't help, of course, but the decompression is a joke. I mean, I just read the Thanos / Adam Warlock story from the 1977 Avengers and Marvel Two-In-One annuals and realised that what was then a two-issue story would nowadays constitute a 12-part limited series (probably with additional spin-off titles). It takes the piss, a bit.

That's a very interesting point.

So how does this affect your opinion on decompression in comics that many folks complain about?

Hab

[nietoperz]

That's a very interesting point.

So how does this affect your opinion on decompression in comics that many folks complain about?

Hab

I've always maintained that too little happens in monthlies these days and that stories are strung out too long. One issue of a 70s or 80s DC or Marvel book normally contained about as much story as three or four issues nowadays. It's not even writing for the trade, it's stringing things out needlessly. That's decompression, as far as I understand the term.

Equally, artists seemed able to fit far more into single panels than the current crop, and had a far better understanding of dynamics to boot.

[habitual]

I've always maintained that too little happens in monthlies these days and that stories are strung out too long. One issue of a 70s or 80s DC or Marvel book normally contained about as much story as three or four issues nowadays. It's not even writing for the trade, it's stringing things out needlessly. That's decompression, as far as I understand the term.

Equally, artists seemed able to fit far more into single panels than the current crop, and had a far better understanding of dynamics to boot.

Ok this is good.

Another question, do you feel arcs are more or less complex/intricate these days and how does it affect your opinion of the payoffs once it's finished?

Hab

[nietoperz]

I don't think you can generalise, to be fair. Some arcs are more complex, some are less and some are on a par. Equally, some writers are more guilty of decompression than others - some are even writers I like (Geoff Johns springs to mind).

Having said that, there seems to have been an edict at some point in the past decade that stories need to be spread out over more issues than strictly necessary. As I say, stories that would have been done-in-ones or two parters in the seventies and eighties are now six plus issues long: it's a shame, and a turn-off, especially considering how much more expensive floppies are nowadays. Equally, trades are becoming quicker and quicker reads.

I have no issue with ongoing plot-lines. Hell, I grew up with Marv & George's New Teen Titans and Byrne's FF. I just want the stories to be full and move briskly. I guess that's why I'm enjoying Marvel's Essentials way more than most current books (Daredevil and Batman notwithstanding).

[Doc Jon]

I noticed this trend particularly in Image comics in the 90's. THere was something funny about being able to read a comic in a couple minutes, but I hate that it is now the trend.

I thought it was interesting in something like the Ultimates as well, but since that was the "Hollywood storyboard" take on the MU, I could let that slide as well.

19 pages and no story is not something I want to see, and I find myself less and less interested in comics because of it.

[DMM]

I like pictures.

[holtom2000]

I like value for money. 10 minute reads for four bucks? I'll wait for the discounted trade thanks

[Timbales]

Don't writers describe the action for the artist to draw?

[Chesscub]

Don't writers describe the action for the artist to draw?

Sometimes. Some artists still work "Marvel style"

I wish they'd compress a bit more. Going from 6 to 3 issues would be nice.

The Dark Avengers arc recently was a travesty. It should've been no more than 4 issues instead of close to 12 issues.

[Benderbrau]

The less we see of Geoff Johns' writing the better IMO

[IvCNuB4]

Remember when we all used to bitch how writers like Chris Claremont or Bendis would use like 9000 word balloons in every panel ?

[Benderbrau]

Remember when we all used to bitch how writers like Chris Claremont or Bendis would use like 9000 word balloons in every panel ?

I think everyone would like a happy medium

[Log-Man]

I think everyone would like a happy medium

I know that's what I'd like.