Paul Tobin Explains in Comic Form Why He Wrote A Superhero Novel

This is confusing to me, because there are plenty of superhero comics that seem to focus on dialogue scenes and whatnot over fights, often to their detriment. That's assuming that action scenes can't be a vehicle for characterization, which they can.

I dunno. I don't want to make snap judgments about Paul Tobin (loved Bandette!) but this thinking seems a bit limited. Of course, "empty suits are getting in the way of my creative vision" is pretty universal and requires no further explanation, so...

This actually looks a little fun, but Tobin seems to throw out the baby with the bathwater. I mean, I've seen a lot of character in comics -- can anyone tell me that Joss Whedon's X-Men run lacked character? Go up to Joe Straczynski and tell him his Spider-Man and his Thor lacked depth. Or fighting. (remember the first story arc JMS did on ASM? Trashed all of downtown with just Morlun.)

Mr. Tobin, I sympathize, but if you can't fit everything you need into "just" 22 pages, then stick with a novel. You have lots of room for maneuver, and heck, you can even make fun of all of this stuff if you like. Heck, one guy made an entire book that was an Ode To Fanboys, called "It Was Only On Stun!" ( http://tinyurl.com/842omu7 ) How much more mileage could you get out of going after Joe Quesada?

Let me preface this by saying that if he wants to write a novel instead of a comic, then sure, go right ahead. But I don't think I completely agree with the reasoning he gives here.

I don't feel that the limits that he stated would be a problem, as long as he's not writing about Spiderman or the Green Lantern or something. By which I don't mean HANDS OF OF MY SPIDERLANTERN or what, but that as long as you're writing about The Flash or Nightwing that Hey! a new comic is coming next month so my hero's probably not going to die.
That isn't to say that the problem lies within the medium, it's a popularity thing. I doubt we'll see Homer Simpson die permanantly any time soon either.

I would imagine that comics are big enough to encompass a thoughtfull exploration of superheroes just as much as regular superhero comics, war journalism, autobiographicals and just straight up funny comics.

In other words, if he were to write a Spiderman Novel he'd bump into the same problems.

Heh, I want to write a Superhero Novel because of pretty much the same reasons.

It's a cute/funny little comic.

You know, I think this may be, IMO, one reason comics are failing. I like action, sure. I know I complained about the Soap-Operaness of X-Men when I read it and all the other books. But some of that stuff got me hooked and I couldn't let go (like Jason Todd's introduction Pre-Crisis; I just couldn't stop reading!).

I think part of the problem is not only writers needing more "real world experiences" but editors and staff just going with stories. I think there is a rhythm to things that many times are not followed. Should every issue involve a fight? Where is the levity between the heavy drama when it is needed? What about people's feelings?

Some current comics do touch on this, but not all and not many by the big two, even then, their big titles tend avvoid such character introspection...at least meaningful character introspection.

Is this why "comics are dying"? Perhaps. There is room for action, but even that grows stale. You have to provide a good, balanced diet of "variety" to one's reading IMO. Sure, it may be simplistic at times, especially if you go episodic, but that can work as well as the long-story form.

Really, the only answer I can see to this is to either go to the independent comic publishers or make it yourself. Sooner or later, the big guys may follow, at least for awhile. They are not "all knowing" and entertainment is not one formula.