I Want It Now...No I'll Wait and See

[Brian M.]

Maybe it's becuase of today's society or just a natural progression of things but everyone wants it now. We're the Microwave Generation. You want your food instantly, your music before it comes out, movies before they get released on DVD. It's the same for comic fans. You want your answers now and you won't take a "wait and see" for the love of you mother. Or has it? Why do you think we're like this?

A perfect example is Wolverine #48. The fact that Nitro burned Wolverine to nothing but shiny bones and then Ole' Chucklehead cameback good as new, granted he was naked as the day he was born but still new. The writer said, wait and see in #48 and all will be told. Why do we complain then? Why can't we wait? Why won't we just trust the writers, trust the company that all will be resolved?

A byproduct of this is that no one wants to wait for plot points to develop anymore. Maybe it's harder now becuase of the multiple titles and mini's that come out but still it's NOW NOW NOW!!!! Why can't we be happy w/ mystery? Why can't we be happy with the suspense of not knowing exactly where the writer will take us? Why are we soooooo afraid that what will come will alter a little bit what we knew? The world was flat, now it's round, probably a tough cookie to accept back in the day uh? Well Xavier's a bastard he's played w/ these children, granted not in that Foley-esque way, like they were puppets to wield for his dream.

We guess and bash what might become that by the time it gets here, it's so hyped up or someone already guessed the answer that it's lost it's impact. I guess maybe it's the Internet and the nature of the beast but I love the wait.

So tell me what you think, when did we get so greedy?

[Beast]

I agree. It's what we've developed into as a society. We have no patience to wait for things anymore. It's probably due to the internet and not to mention the proliferation of fast food. We have so much information at our fingertips, and that has made us more impatiant for things. In the old days stories would develop and be allowed to build. Now people have a fit if there isn't a full story in every issue and whine about decompression.

[Frodo-X]

Whenever there is an innovation we become reliant on it. Cell phones for example: I, as an impartial observer who does not own one, have noticed how ridiculous they have gotten. People are on them all the time. At the ball game, at the movie, in the car while you're driving, at the store, just constant. What did these people do before? We used to function just fine without these things, but now they are a crutch we cannot live without. I mean for God's sake, I'm at the store listening to people say "What do we need. Okay, and then..." through a whole friggin' list. What happened to writing this $hit down and going to the store. The same is true of all technological advances: We need them now rather than want them. I lost electricity for 10 days once and nearly ended up in a looney bin.

The impatience (you didn't think I'd work my way back, did you?) comes from this. As our lives have become more conveniant we've had more time. So we fill that time. Now we have less time than ever, so we want everything now, now, now. I can't wait 'till I'm home to get my messages, I need them now. The President may have called and he'll want to hear back soon.

The day the automobile was invented, we were doomed to this.

[curefreak]

Whenever there is an innovation we become reliant on it. Cell phones for example: I, as an impartial observer who does not own one, have noticed how ridiculous they have gotten. People are on them all the time. At the ball game, at the movie, in the car while you're driving, at the store, just constant. What did these people do before? We used to function just fine without these things, but now they are a crutch we cannot live without. I mean for God's sake, I'm at the store listening to people say "What do we need. Okay, and then..." through a whole friggin' list. What happened to writing this $hit down and going to the store. The same is true of all technological advances: We need them now rather than want them. I lost electricity for 10 days once and nearly ended up in a looney bin.

The impatience (you didn't think I'd work my way back, did you?) comes from this. As our lives have become more conveniant we've had more time. So we fill that time. Now we have less time than ever, so we want everything now, now, now. I can't wait 'till I'm home to get my messages, I need them now. The President may have called and he'll want to hear back soon.

The day the automobile was invented, we were doomed to this.Actually it was the day electricity was invented ,damn you Edison:mad:

[Beast]

Actually it was the day electricity was invented ,damn you Edison:mad:
Not really. Just the invention of electricity didn't make people impatient.

[xakko]

Actually it was the day electricity was invented ,damn you Edison:mad:
don't you dare say anything bad about that wonderful electricity, else they may take it away from you!

[Frodo-X]

But the things it was used for are greatly responsible.

I still think automobiles was the great leaping point. Electricity is the most important invention (wrong word, but what do you call it when something is harnessed?), but the cars are what made us able to do everything so much faster. What once took a day took a few hours, and now takes less than that.

[Beast]

But the things it was used for are greatly responsible.

I still think automobiles was the great leaping point. Electricity is the most important invention (wrong word, but what do you call it when something is harnessed?), but the cars are what made us able to do everything so much faster. What once took a day took a few hours, and now takes less than that.
Well, we know that the Automobile led to the proliferation of Fast Food. So yeah, it's majorly to blame.

[Brian M.]

Another thing to discuss:

What do you think is the best way to enjoy comics? Is it the now now now plot over in 5-6 issues or the slow burner; 30-50 issues to build an epic? Do you want your spoilers several days before the issue comes out? Do you want the writer and artist to answer all your questions or actually wait and see?

[Frodo-X]

Fast food is a great example of impatience. Not the actual product, though it is too, but the way people act about it.

I go to McDonald's on occasion and I often notice the most bizarre behavior. There will be a line of about 7 cars at the drive-thru. I park, go in, get a to-go order, come out, and eat the meal in my car by the time the seventh car gets their food. Point being, people would rather wait in line for 15 minutes than have to actually get out of their car and walk (Oh, heavens) into the building.

Which shows the only thing on Earth that will trump impatience: Laziness.

[Frodo-X]

Another thing to discuss:

What do you think is the best way to enjoy comics? Is it the now now now plot over in 5-6 issues or the slow burner; 30-50 issues to build an epic? Do you want your spoilers several days before the issue comes out? Do you want the writer and artist to answer all your questions or actually wait and see?

I prefer to wait and see. I do read some spoilers when I won't be getting the book for a couple weeks, but if it's a favorite (like Carey's X-men) I avoid them. I don't want the experience tarnished.

And I also like the slow burner. Fifty issues might be a little too long 'cause I'd forget what I read 4 years earlier, but letting something build for a while is great. The trick is knowing when to give in; Don't wait long enough and there's no suspense. Wait too long, and the interest is gone.

[curefreak]

Not really. Just the invention of electricity didn't make people impatient.
In a way it did because it made things move conveinant in my opinion at least in my opinion, but hey if you wanna blame cars go right ahead.

[Canemacar]

Not really. Just the invention of electricity didn't make people impatient.

Electricity cannot be invented. Only discovered and harnessed, much like fire.

[Frodo-X]

Electricity cannot be invented. Only discovered and harnessed, much like fire.

I invented fire.


Ice, too.

[Canemacar]

But you didn't get the patent so it doesn't count.

[Frodo-X]

But you didn't get the patent so it doesn't count.

But I............Damn!:mad:

[Babylon23]

What a great thread. Some really interesting points/ideas here guys.

Frodo-X: I've just returned from a trip to the US where I saw your fast food example firsthand. We had a Mcdonalds near the hotel, and it was common to see 10 or more cars lined up there, especially in the mornings.


Another thing to discuss:

What do you think is the best way to enjoy comics? Is it the now now now plot over in 5-6 issues or the slow burner; 30-50 issues to build an epic? Do you want your spoilers several days before the issue comes out? Do you want the writer and artist to answer all your questions or actually wait and see?

I prefer the slow burn overall. I like a writer thats committed to a book for the long haul, especially if they've got a clear direction planned. I like the "series of smaller stories making a greater whole" approach.

As for spoilers, I prefer not to see them at all. I like the idea of being surprised by the actual comic itself.

I enjoy writers and artists giving out general information about a book without spoiling the specific story points.

[Brian M.]

Taking note from Ryan Kirk...bump.

[Brett P]

I think all the anticipation, speculation and discussion on boards such as these defintely fuels it. I know I can hardly ever stay away from spoilers so that I can stil be part of discussion, especially with faves like New X-Men, since I get my comics a week after they come out.

I always think "enjoyment of the comic is more important than talking about it" yet I still normally end up reading spoilers. I did keep mostly spoiler free for X-Men #200 fir like 2 weeks and I was really surprised by the ending and therefore enjoyed it more so that proves that spoiler-free is the better way to go...but it's hard when you have so much excitement about what's going on and you want to be included.

Messiah Complex is gonna be HELL for me!

[Brian M.]

I've decided to take the approach and not read spoilers for anything ES or MC related. I'm waiting. I got a huge amount of satisfaction w/ #200 and CnD #42 by not reading spoilers that it's encouraged me not to read anything on the upcoming issues.

[drwho]

Part of the reason we have lost patience is many of the stories end up badly. I like to get immediate gratification from my comics so thank god the marvel adventures line exists. Especially these days when marvel purposely draws out there stories when not necessary.

[Brett P]

I've decided to take the approach and not read spoilers for anything ES or MC related. I'm waiting. I got a huge amount of satisfaction w/ #200 and CnD #42 by not reading spoilers that it's encouraged me not to read anything on the upcoming issues.


But how soon after the issues come out do you get them?

[Brian M.]

But how soon after the issues come out do you get them?

Most of the time it's on Wednesday or like this week, it'll be Friday. So I won't look at the New X-Men thread until Friday. It's not hard.

[Brett P]

yeah, a couple of days is nothing. It's usually atleast a week for me. So with Messiah Complex - by the time I get my hands on the first part, everyone else will already be talking about the second!