The problem with comic book heroes...

[hells_half_acre]

I think part of my reluctance to get into the Marvel fandom is the fact that comic books don't end... and nothing happy ever happens in them. Yes, the hero saves the day, but it's usually at the cost of their own happiness. Their best friends and/or lovers die... or they do, tragically. You need drama to keep a story like that going and the best drama is tragedy.

So, for instance, I've been enjoying Captain America fic recently, but the fic that I'm enjoying is the sort of stuff that would never actually happen in the official story - because it's the fic where everyone is broken and is never going to get better, yet they learn to live with their brokenness and they learn to be happy, and the fic ends with the premise that everything has reached a stage of "as joyful as possible given the circumstances" and it will remain that way until all characters die of old age. Whereas, I already know that depending on what comic-book plot they follow, and, to me, all evidence points to the fact that they are going to follow this one...there's a good chance that Steve Rogers is going to die and Bucky Barnes will become Captain America. And that's not a happy ending, because someone is dead and someone must live without them.

I like things that end. Ironically, it was part of the reason I got into Supernatural - I was convinced that it would end after S5, and even if it ended in tragedy (which, at the time, Supernatural had all the markings of a clear tragedy), I would be fine with that, because at least it would have a definite end to the tragedy - and the tragedy would not continue forever. Comic books just keep going and they are ALWAYS tragic and nothing ever works out, not completely. And even if one chapter ends on a happy note, you know the next chapter is going to destroy that happiness... and I don't think I can take that when there's no clear end to the misery in sight.

Comments

[etoile444.livejournal.com]

Oh I think you'll like Winter Soldier. Its my current obsession. Watch the first Cap movie before though because u need the whole story.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Cool. Yeah, I've got the first Cap movie all set to go on my computer. I may watch it tonight or possibly tomorrow. Then it's just a matter of finding where The Winter Soldier is still playing in town and a good time to go see it. :)

[cordelia-gray.livejournal.com]

If you want a buddy to see Winter Soldier with, I'd love to see it again!

Though realistically my schedule probably won't let that happen, boo. Still, I think it would be fun!

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Dude, I'd love a buddy to see Winter Soldier with.

How about you look up showtimes/theatres in town and let me know if there's anything that works for your schedule. My schedule is pretty damn flexible.

If it doesn't work out, no sweat, but part of the reason I seldom go to movies these days is because I've got no "movie friends".

[cordelia-gray.livejournal.com]

I will look at my schedule and pm you! Realistically, though, I can't see it happening anytime before the 21st, so if you get a chance to see it sooner, go ahead.

It's playing at the Scotiabank - are you pro or anti 3D? I've seen the 3D version, so have a slight preference for 2D, but I'm happy either way.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Will it still be playing after the 21st? It's already in its sixth or seventh week. I might get too nervous about missing it and go before then. I don't know how long things stay in theatres these days.

I have a preference for 2D as well. I don't find that 3D adds anything that I'm missing, and so it just ends up being more money and slightly uncomfortable (because I've got to wear those glasses over my regular glasses)... so yeah, not much point to it.