The Co-opting of V for Vendetta Symbols

[Shawn Hopkins]

You see groups like Anonymous wearing the Guy Fawkes mask and this school board shooter drawing a familiar symbol on a wall (graphic video):

http://tv.gawker.com/5713614/florida-school-board-shooting-caught-on-tape

This annoys me. Not in and of itself, mostly because they seem to be clearly influenced by the movie version, which messes with the story. Dammit, show some respect for the source material when committing your acts of violence.

(I know the symbol has earlier origins, but the version on his Facebook page is the one from the movie, so it seems clear he was influenced by it.)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1338645/Florida-school-board-shooting-Moment-gunman-Clay-Duke-opens-fire.html

And his biography reads: 'My Testament: Some people (the government sponsored media) will say I was evil, a monster (V)... no... I was just born poor in a country where the Wealthy manipulate, use, abuse, and economically enslave 95% of the population.

[Donald M.]

You see groups like Anonymous wearing the Guy Fawkes mask and this school board shooter drawing a familiar symbol on a wall (graphic video):


This annoys me. Not in and of itself, mostly because they seem to be clearly influenced by the movie version, which messes with the story. Dammit, show some respect for the source material when committing your acts of violence.


Oh God, seriously?

*points and laughs*

Stop being such a nerd. Why in god's name would lunatics and shit stirrers co-opting symbols from bad movies to express their half-baked quasi-revolutionary fervor care about the source material?

More importantly, why would anyone expect them to?

This is a silly thread and you are a silly man. Lucky for you you're on the Internet. This is a very sully place.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Oh God, seriously?


Uh, no, not seriously.

I've found you have to spell out "this is humor" on this board for some reason or everyone acts like you're super-serious and naive (don't get me started on my "Richard Nixon Wasn't Very Nice" thread).

I just think it's interesting to talk about how people are being influenced by the movie and how they're being influenced by what is an adulterated version of the story. And I used an exaggerated concern for a silly element of that, respect for comic books, to lighten what is actually a really serious subject.

Okay, joke killed, but I still think it's worth talking about. A comic book thing is inspiring crazies, and they aren't even getting it right.

[Deadpooligan]

Clearly Clay Duke is not familiar at all with the source material. Most obviously in his mumbling 'display' of 'narrative' and complete lack of adherence to the iambic pentameter presented by V himself in the graphic novel. His utter lack of costuming and use of a gun is nigh a mockery of this oft-overlooked treasure from the pen of Alan Moore and pencil of David Lloyd. Is it not a period piece taking poke at the Thatcheresque institutions put forth in politics of Britain in the Nineteen-Eighties? A piece, taking it to the logical extremes of fascist rule turning the future world into a dystopian one.

Need I even point out the amateurish spray painting of the V emblem? Not only does he fail in structure but in most egregiously the very shade of red used. Any true fan knows that it's presented best in an Alizarin crimson shade, clearly he's using a pale brick red coloring. I daresay Steve Whitaker is rolling in his grave with these developments.

Truly these are dark times for fan and provocateur of revolutionary-type violence alike. Indeed, an age of sheer twilight, when a complete abandonment of stylistic principles leads to the media casting a glare and wagged finger at us both. The ones to be blamed in all of this are the Wachowski brothers, authors, or should I say auteurs of the divisively modern screenplay and producers of the grievously mediocre film 'adaptation', if you could even call it that.


http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/598/192280-comic_book_guy_13018_large.jpg

[Donald M.]

Uh, no, not seriously.

I've found you have to spell out "this is humor" on this board for some reason or everyone acts like you're super-serious and naive

Not if it's actually funny, you don't.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Not if it's actually funny, you don't.

Okay, okay, maybe it wasn't actually funny, but I thought the intent of humorous exaggeration was clear.

Anyway, I have clearly made a mistake. Last time I'll post something nerdy on a comic book message board.

[thespianphryne]

Uh, no, not seriously.

I've found you have to spell out "this is humor" on this board for some reason or everyone acts like you're super-serious and naive (don't get me started on my "Richard Nixon Wasn't Very Nice" thread).

I just think it's interesting to talk about how people are being influenced by the movie and how they're being influenced by what is an adulterated version of the story. And I used an exaggerated concern for a silly element of that, respect for comic books, to lighten what is actually a really serious subject.

Okay, joke killed, but I still think it's worth talking about. A comic book thing is inspiring crazies, and they aren't even getting it right.
There's something wrong with everyone except me.

Charming.

[Donald M.]

Okay, okay, maybe it wasn't actually funny, but I thought the intent of humorous exaggeration was clear.

Sorry, it really wasn't. Humorous exaggeration requires you to actually exaggerate something. I've seen far zanier stuff posted in total seriousness, so you see my problem.


Anyway, I have clearly made a mistake. Last time I'll post something nerdy on a comic book message board.

Don't be that way. Your joke fell flat, it happens. Happens to me all the time,

[Shawn Hopkins]

There's something wrong with everyone except me.

Charming.


All right, I'm just an unfunny asshole. I admit it.

[Donald M.]

All right, I guess I'm just an unfunny asshole.

Maybe you just aren't cut out for humor. This kind of reaction is a clear indicator of such.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Maybe you just aren't cut out for humor. This kind of reaction is a clear indicator of such.

Sure, I'll cop to that. I'm not a dour guy in real life, but I guess I'm not amusing anyone here.

But with some things it's damned if you do, damned if you don't. If I had posted this straight without even trying to make a joke I figured would have got the same pointing and laughing and pictures of Jeff Albertson that I got for posting such a nerdy topic anyway.

So I tried to make a joke and failed, it didn't even register. Then when the criticism continued I tried to deflect with sarcasm, which also didn't register and sounded like bitterness. I still think it's a good topic and it's unfortunate it became about me and my failings. The worst part, well the worst part for me, is the more vicious members haven't even taken their cuts yet.

[Donald M.]

Sure, I'll cop to that. I'm not a dour guy in real life, but I guess I'm not amusing anyone here.

But with some things it's damned if you do, damned if you don't. If I had posted this straight without even trying to make a joke I figured would have got the same pointing and laughing and pictures of Jeff Albertson that I got for posting such a nerdy topic anyway.

So I tried to make a joke and failed, it didn't even register. Then when the criticism continued I tried to deflect with sarcasm, which also didn't register and sounded like bitterness. I still think it's a good topic and it's unfortunate it became about me and my failings. The worst part, well the worst part for me, is the more vicious members haven't even taken their cuts yet.

I think you're fairly safe, I doubt this thread will go much further. I do wonder though, if your intention was to start a discussion about people co-opting symbols they don't understand, well, that could have been an interesing discussion. Why start with a joke that gives no indication of what you're actually hoping to discuss?

Maybe you could ask the lovely and talented thespianphryne to cloe this tread and you could start a new one? I promise not to be jerknin that one. Maybe.

[Shawn Hopkins]

I think you're fairly safe, I doubt this thread will go much further. I do wonder though, if your intention was to start a discussion about people co-opting symbols they don't understand, well, that could have been an interesing discussion. Why start with a joke that gives no indication of what you're actually hoping to discuss?

Maybe you could ask the lovely and talented thespianphryne to cloe this tread and you could start a new one? I promise not to be jerknin that one. Maybe.

Eh, you live, you learn, you get Luvs. I made a mistake and reacted poorly. If it falls off the board and I never get to discuss how people are being influenced by a derivative work with a totally different meaning from the thing that inspired it, it's fine.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I just wanna be there once people start using barbed wire bats , putting people thru burning tables and yelling "Politically IN-CORRECT and damn proud of it."

That will be a day I shall cry in joy as the new Extreme Revolution starts.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/AdamGFX/Minitrons/ECWOldSchool.gif

[Gary_B]

I just wanna be there once people start using barbed wire bats , putting people thru burning tables and yelling "Politically IN-CORRECT and damn proud of it."

That will be a day I shall cry in joy as the new Extreme Revolution starts.

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb45/AdamGFX/Minitrons/ECWOldSchool.gif

Your FACE is politically IN-CORRECT!

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Your FACE is politically IN-CORRECT!

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr149/bryangrasso/Dreamer.jpg

[rick]

Geez guys, give Shawn a break.

Is there any particular reason to act like jerks because you didn't find his thread funny?

[Donald M.]

Geez guys, give Shawn a break.

Is there any particular reason to act like jerks because you didn't find his thread funny?

I'll admit I'm an asshole, but his reaction to me didn't help matters. He took a prime opportunity to laugh at me for not getting the joke and used it to whine a bit instead. Call me on my shit and you'll get my respect every time for what little that's worth.

[i_mmmchocolate]

I'll admit I'm an asshole, but his reaction to me didn't help matters. He took a prime opportunity to laugh at me for not getting the joke and used it to whine a bit instead. Call me on my shit and you'll get my respect every time for what little that's worth.
You would have not received that reaction had you just ignored the thread in the first place.

[Donald M.]

You would have not received that reaction had you just ignored the thread in the first place.

Yes, it's been established I'm an asshole, but I certainly deserve the criticism.

[i_mmmchocolate]

Hence my being an asshole. Way to belabor the obvious.
Then stop acting like a victim.

HE LAUGHED AT ME BOO HOO

Christ.

You said you weren't going to post in the thread and yet you still are.

[Donald M.]

Then stop acting like a victim.

HE LAUGHED AT ME BOO HOO

Christ.

Wait, what? I'm all for taking well deserved criticism, but that's not what happened.



You said you weren't going to post in the thread and yet you still are.

I know, I know.

[rick]

Then stop acting like a victim.

HE LAUGHED AT ME BOO HOO

Christ.

You said you weren't going to post in the thread and yet you still are.

Um, Chocolate, you're doing the same kind of thing he was.

What's the point?

[Donald M.]

Um, Chocolate, you're doing the same kind of thing he was.

What's the point?

I guess it's true what they say about this time of year. Clearly the only logical solution is to to outlaw Christmas.

[Nick Soapdish]

The most ... won-derful time ... of the year. ♫

[rick]

I guess it's true what they say about this time of year. Clearly the only logical solution is to to outlaw Christmas.

I'd agree except it's the only time of the year I have an excuse to play the Bowie / Bing music video.

[Chris N]

Um, Chocolate, you're doing the same kind of thing he was.

What's the point?

Geez... rick. You're getting a bit overly sensitive here.

Why not just lay off poor Lena?

[vcassel]

This thread has provided me with my daily dose of LOLZ.

You're all beautiful creatures.

[rick]

Geez... rick. You're getting a bit overly sensitive here.

Why not just lay off poor Lena?

You're mean.

Lay off of me.

[the4thpip]

Geez... rick. You're getting a bit overly sensitive here.

Why not just lay off poor Lena?

Exactly, she won Eurovision for us!

[howyadoin]

Clearly Clay Duke is not familiar at all with the source material. Most obviously in his mumbling 'display' of 'narrative' and complete lack of adherence to the iambic pentameter presented by V himself in the graphic novel. His utter lack of costuming and use of a gun is nigh a mockery of this oft-overlooked treasure from the pen of Alan Moore and pencil of David Lloyd. Is it not a period piece taking poke at the Thatcheresque institutions put forth in politics of Britain in the Nineteen-Eighties? A piece, taking it to the logical extremes of fascist rule turning the future world into a dystopian one.

Need I even point out the amateurish spray painting of the V emblem? Not only does he fail in structure but in most egregiously the very shade of red used. Any true fan knows that it's presented best in an Alizarin crimson shade, clearly he's using a pale brick red coloring. I daresay Steve Whitaker is rolling in his grave with these developments.

Truly these are dark times for fan and provocateur of revolutionary-type violence alike. Indeed, an age of sheer twilight, when a complete abandonment of stylistic principles leads to the media casting a glare and wagged finger at us both. The ones to be blamed in all of this are the Wachowski brothers, authors, or should I say auteurs of the divisively modern screenplay and producers of the grievously mediocre film 'adaptation', if you could even call it that.


http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/598/192280-comic_book_guy_13018_large.jpg
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9056/orsonclaprb7.gif

[Puma]

The most ... won-derful time ... of the year. ♫
http://www.gifsoup.com/imager.php?id=115045 (http://www.gifsoup.com/view/115045/burning-christmas-tree.html) GIFSoup (http://www.gifsoup.com/)

[howyadoin]

Geez... rick. You're getting a bit overly sensitive here.

Why not just lay off poor Lena?Ward, I think you were a little hard on the Beaver last night.

[HomerJay]

Yeah, this thread was over after Deadpooligan's post.

[Captain Clarkie]

Ward, I think you were a little hard on the Beaver last night.

Batman quote?