Comments on: An Odd Tempest in a Teapot http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/ Comic Book Resources Presents... Comics Should Be Good! Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:09:33 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Anon E. Mouse http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-30920 Anon E. Mouse Sat, 30 Dec 2006 03:18:16 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-30920 I wonder if this is a carefully orchestrated put-on or if it represents some hidden internal disagreements with the direction Archie comics should be heading in. It's a nice way to set up "plausible deniability" for the future in case the experiment doesn't work. I think the biggest change Archie needs to make is in the stories, not the art. Archie no longer inhabits the world his readers inhabit (as opposed to comics strips like LUANN or ZITS or PRETEENA or FOXTROT). Steve Bennett makes a good observation on what Archie does (or rather, did) best in a column at the ICv2 site. Just add the usual 3 w's to the front of icv2 [dot] com/articles/home/9825.html to read it. I wonder if this is a carefully orchestrated put-on or if it represents some hidden internal disagreements with the direction Archie comics should be heading in. It's a nice way to set up "plausible deniability" for the future in case the experiment doesn't work.

I think the biggest change Archie needs to make is in the stories, not the art. Archie no longer inhabits the world his readers inhabit (as opposed to comics strips like LUANN or ZITS or PRETEENA or FOXTROT).

Steve Bennett makes a good observation on what Archie does (or rather, did) best in a column at the ICv2 site. Just add the usual 3 w's to the front of icv2 [dot] com/articles/home/9825.html to read it.

]]> By: J To The AAP http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-29174 J To The AAP Thu, 28 Dec 2006 15:36:32 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-29174 "Personally, I think that as long as they don’t hire Garth Ennis to write Archie the kids will survive." Thrown in Frank Cho on art and you'll definitely pull in a new audience. "Personally, I think that as long as they don’t hire Garth Ennis to write Archie the kids will survive."

Thrown in Frank Cho on art and you'll definitely pull in a new audience.

]]> By: JR http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-28087 JR Thu, 28 Dec 2006 09:40:13 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-28087 Checking the various links again and the Veronica blog thanks you for "drawing attention to their situation" which is pretty amusing. Checking the various links again and the Veronica blog thanks you for "drawing attention to their situation" which is pretty amusing.

]]> By: Chris Richards http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-28072 Chris Richards Thu, 28 Dec 2006 06:31:12 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-28072 Big heads and thin necks are part of the 'house' style, it's possible their inclusion is a holdover. It's also possible that the artist, as many arists, doesn't quite have all the nuances of anatomy down. I admit to being interested in the controversy in a rather intellectual sort of way: amused that people are exploding because of this and curious as to the changes causing the explosion. I don't read Archie. Personally, I think that as long as they don't hire Garth Ennis to write Archie the kids will survive. Big heads and thin necks are part of the 'house' style, it's possible their inclusion is a holdover. It's also possible that the artist, as many arists, doesn't quite have all the nuances of anatomy down.

I admit to being interested in the controversy in a rather intellectual sort of way: amused that people are exploding because of this and curious as to the changes causing the explosion. I don't read Archie.

Personally, I think that as long as they don't hire Garth Ennis to write Archie the kids will survive.

]]> By: Brian Cronin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-28006 Brian Cronin Wed, 27 Dec 2006 22:41:10 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-28006 I use akismet, too, David, and it shows me 150. Weird. I use akismet, too, David, and it shows me 150.

Weird.

]]> By: JR http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27997 JR Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:30:21 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27997 I find the notion that Betty and Veronica "themselves" are upset at the upcoming makeover to actually be kinda funny. It's like that Daffy Duck cartoon where he's constantly arguing over how he's being animated throughout the course of it. Fictional characters commenting that they don't like the way they're being handled isn't anything new. I would imagine that if a line was really crossed and the higher ups at Archie were really mad they'd have deleted the post and replaced the author (or at least given a stern warning). As opposed to say, spinning them off into a separate but still affiliated "my-Archie-space" in a manner that's clearly gotten attention and bound to garner sympathy/support from their fanbase. I find the notion that Betty and Veronica "themselves" are upset at the upcoming makeover to actually be kinda funny. It's like that Daffy Duck cartoon where he's constantly arguing over how he's being animated throughout the course of it. Fictional characters commenting that they don't like the way they're being handled isn't anything new.

I would imagine that if a line was really crossed and the higher ups at Archie were really mad they'd have deleted the post and replaced the author (or at least given a stern warning). As opposed to say, spinning them off into a separate but still affiliated "my-Archie-space" in a manner that's clearly gotten attention and bound to garner sympathy/support from their fanbase.

]]> By: Anon E. Mouse http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27984 Anon E. Mouse Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:36:10 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27984 I read Archie comics on a fairly regular basis; SABRINA every month, as well as 2-3 of the various other titles/digests. I think this is a good move, particularly to longer, more complex stories. The Archie line has made itself too innocuous over the last 10-15 years; read some of the classic collections from the 1950s and 60s to see how Archie and the gang had a lot more depth and variety when they started. BTW, I think it's Midge in the sample art, too, but I don't think she's necessarily reacting to Archie. Also, it's not necessarily an actual story page but a trial page to see what the characters would look like. BTW, to steal no thunder from Dan DeCarlo, Bob Montana was primarily responsible for the redesign of the Archie characters from their inception to the early 1950s when they finally began to look like the characters we're familiar with today. DeCarlo added other characters to the cast and further refined Montana's style (and, ironically, made it easier to imitate in the process). I read Archie comics on a fairly regular basis; SABRINA every month, as well as 2-3 of the various other titles/digests.

I think this is a good move, particularly to longer, more complex stories. The Archie line has made itself too innocuous over the last 10-15 years; read some of the classic collections from the 1950s and 60s to see how Archie and the gang had a lot more depth and variety when they started.

BTW, I think it's Midge in the sample art, too, but I don't think she's necessarily reacting to Archie. Also, it's not necessarily an actual story page but a trial page to see what the characters would look like.

BTW, to steal no thunder from Dan DeCarlo, Bob Montana was primarily responsible for the redesign of the Archie characters from their inception to the early 1950s when they finally began to look like the characters we're familiar with today. DeCarlo added other characters to the cast and further refined Montana's style (and, ironically, made it easier to imitate in the process).

]]> By: david brothers http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27972 david brothers Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:50:36 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27972 Which spam blocker are you using, Brian? I'm using Akismet right now and I can only see 50 spam posts per page. It's caught something like 7000 bits of spam in under 30 days, so you can see how that is a problem. Which spam blocker are you using, Brian? I'm using Akismet right now and I can only see 50 spam posts per page. It's caught something like 7000 bits of spam in under 30 days, so you can see how that is a problem.

]]> By: Cat Skyfire http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27954 Cat Skyfire Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:21:32 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27954 Oh, almost forgot. Someone asked about the age of the characters. Based on the comic, they're supposed to be 17-18. They can drive, and they're generally referred to as seniors in high school. The rare times they're supposed to be younger (a story about junior high), they look younger in the art. (Not quite so built, for example). Oh, almost forgot. Someone asked about the age of the characters. Based on the comic, they're supposed to be 17-18. They can drive, and they're generally referred to as seniors in high school. The rare times they're supposed to be younger (a story about junior high), they look younger in the art. (Not quite so built, for example).

]]> By: Cat Skyfire http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27953 Cat Skyfire Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:20:19 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27953 I've seen the one 'inner page' of the new look. Is it just me, or are the heads a little too big, and their necks a little to thin? And who is the brunette supposed to be? The reactions of the two girls makes me think Veronica, but the short hair makes me think Midge. Except Midge never moons over Archie, and Veronica never has short hair (unless for a really short story about hairstyle). I've seen the one 'inner page' of the new look. Is it just me, or are the heads a little too big, and their necks a little to thin?

And who is the brunette supposed to be? The reactions of the two girls makes me think Veronica, but the short hair makes me think Midge. Except Midge never moons over Archie, and Veronica never has short hair (unless for a really short story about hairstyle).

]]> By: Brian Cronin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27935 Brian Cronin Wed, 27 Dec 2006 10:48:43 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27935 I think anything with a link in it often goes to moderation, as it thinks it is spam. Speaking of spam, I should probably make an entry on this, but it feels weird giving an entry to this topic, but we have been getting hit by a TON of spam recently. Like well over 500 spam comments a day, which is insane. The problem with that, though, is that while I flip through the posts caught by the spam blocker to see if anyone's post was caught accidentally, only 150 posts are displayed - which is usually fine, except when we get hit by MORE than 150 spam comments in one day, which has been happening a lot more frequently. Therefore, when I delete the spam comments, I may be inadvertently deleting some actual comments. So, to those of you out there who do not see your comments pop up, well, sorry about the inconvenience!! I think anything with a link in it often goes to moderation, as it thinks it is spam.

Speaking of spam, I should probably make an entry on this, but it feels weird giving an entry to this topic, but we have been getting hit by a TON of spam recently. Like well over 500 spam comments a day, which is insane.

The problem with that, though, is that while I flip through the posts caught by the spam blocker to see if anyone's post was caught accidentally, only 150 posts are displayed - which is usually fine, except when we get hit by MORE than 150 spam comments in one day, which has been happening a lot more frequently.

Therefore, when I delete the spam comments, I may be inadvertently deleting some actual comments. So, to those of you out there who do not see your comments pop up, well, sorry about the inconvenience!!

]]> By: FunkyGreenJerusalem http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27922 FunkyGreenJerusalem Wed, 27 Dec 2006 08:42:30 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27922 Why is my comment awaiting moderation? And do I actually get a cool point for finding somthing on the front page of newsarama? Why is my comment awaiting moderation?

And do I actually get a cool point for finding somthing on the front page of newsarama?

]]> By: FunkyGreenJerusalem http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27921 FunkyGreenJerusalem Wed, 27 Dec 2006 08:41:06 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27921 "I’ve only seen that cover. Are there any pictures online of what the rest of the gang looks like?" http://www.newsarama.com/Archie/Archiepage.jpg and it's from this article on newsarama.com: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=95140 "I’ve only seen that cover. Are there any pictures online of what the rest of the gang looks like?"

http://www.newsarama.com/Archie/Archiepage.jpg

and it's from this article on newsarama.com:
http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=95140

]]> By: Sleestak http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27887 Sleestak Tue, 26 Dec 2006 23:31:00 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27887 Most importantly, what does John Byrne think about the art change? Most importantly, what does John Byrne think about the art change?

]]> By: Brian Cronin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27879 Brian Cronin Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:55:52 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27879 By the by, from a business standpoint, the changes would have to be a HUGE success to merit them making sweeping changes, as remember, a big part of Archie Comics' business is the digests, which succeed almost TOTALLY on the concept of the "house style," where you can print a comic from the 90s with a comic from the 80s with a comic from the 60s with a comic from the 50s with a comic from the 90s and no one can really notice. You start doing serialized stories with a totally different art style, and that becomes impossible to do. By the by, from a business standpoint, the changes would have to be a HUGE success to merit them making sweeping changes, as remember, a big part of Archie Comics' business is the digests, which succeed almost TOTALLY on the concept of the "house style," where you can print a comic from the 90s with a comic from the 80s with a comic from the 60s with a comic from the 50s with a comic from the 90s and no one can really notice.

You start doing serialized stories with a totally different art style, and that becomes impossible to do.

]]> By: Cayman http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27878 Cayman Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:55:17 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27878 They look like whores of a healthy body weight to me. They look like whores of a healthy body weight to me.

]]> By: Brian Cronin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27876 Brian Cronin Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:53:25 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27876 Oh, and if I could find links to the sample pages online, I'd link them for you, but I couldn't (a cool point to anyone who COULD!). But from what I saw, Archie looks pretty darn normal. I don't recall if we saw Jughead yet. Oh, and if I could find links to the sample pages online, I'd link them for you, but I couldn't (a cool point to anyone who COULD!).

But from what I saw, Archie looks pretty darn normal. I don't recall if we saw Jughead yet.

]]> By: Brian Cronin http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27875 Brian Cronin Tue, 26 Dec 2006 21:50:35 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27875 <blockquote>My favorite is when people call the drawings things like “anorexic whores.” What the fuck? You do realize that some people aren’t fat, right? Some people are actually thin and that’s OK! Jesus H!</blockquote> Oh man, yes!!! I totally was freaked out by that, too! Anorexic whores?!?! Seriously?!?!

My favorite is when people call the drawings things like “anorexic whores.” What the fuck? You do realize that some people aren’t fat, right? Some people are actually thin and that’s OK! Jesus H!

Oh man, yes!!!

I totally was freaked out by that, too!

Anorexic whores?!?! Seriously?!?!

]]> By: SanctumSanctorumComix http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27854 SanctumSanctorumComix Tue, 26 Dec 2006 19:31:00 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27854 Oops... I referred to Rich Butler, when I meant JEFF Butler. I must have confused Rich BUCKLER in my head, not that I recall his work. Unless there IS a Rich Butler as well. Gah! Sorry. ~P~ P-TOR Oops... I referred to Rich Butler, when I meant JEFF Butler.

I must have confused Rich BUCKLER in my head, not that I recall his work.
Unless there IS a Rich Butler as well.

Gah!

Sorry.

~P~
P-TOR

]]> By: Cayman http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/comment-page-1/#comment-27841 Cayman Tue, 26 Dec 2006 18:06:33 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2006/12/26/an-odd-tempest-in-a-teapot/#comment-27841 I'm curious to see what Jughead looks like now. I'm curious to see what Jughead looks like now.

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