While reading your remarks about aging, I was reminded of the 1986 movie Tough Guys. Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas play a pair of old gangsters who are released from prison after serving decades-long sentences. Younger criminals make fun of them, but not for long. Just because somebody's got some snow on the roof doesn't mean they're harmless. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092105/
Oh I completely agree. Moreover, older people have wisdom and accumulated knowledge that the young people will need in the absence of a quality education.
Thanks for another trip inside the bunker. I usually come to you for things that are inspirational, educational, REH-ish, or just plain fun. This one took me the other direction as John Cassaday's passing hit harder than I expected, especially right before 9/11. I loved his work on Planetary and Astonishing X-Men, but the Captain America he gave us after 9/11 was just what this long-time comics fan wanted to see. The same heroes that got us through tough times since WW2 did their best to put our feelings and emotions into words and images in a way that only comics can. It wasn't a time for funny books and kid comics, but it was a time for comics to be there for us and they delivered. I was never able to meet him in person, but I'm grateful for what he gave to this stranger.
I'm so glad I met you and the Absolute crew...and so many others during the old Dallas Fantasy Fair days. I was briefly going to work on something with John Cassaday. He was a cool guy (I barely knew him and feel terrible for those who actually did), and I was so happy to see all he went on to do.
Mark, I'm so sorry for so much loss recently. It's a sad consequence of living a relatively long life. I can only hope that eventually you will be able to be happy for what you shared. Keep the faith.
Thanks much! It seems obvious in hindsight but writing is my default for processing and figuring things out. I am thrilled if my thoughts help anyone else with what they may be going through.
Glad I at least said hello in the Dealer's Room...I'd love to sit down and discuss Indiana Jones a bit more....I have thoughts (you were on a panel the year before at ArmadilloCon, and had a quote I've been thinking about)
On the panel, you stated (roughly) that Raiders was about the genre, and the sequels were about Raiders. Which I think I probably agree with. What I wanted to comment on then (note, I never comment during panels 🤷♂️) was that this was an argument against sequels. That they become self referential.
I've been thinking about that even before, as I had been watching Star Trek Discovery and Strange New Worlds. I'm a huge Trek fan (in a way, Trek is my version of Raiders) finding TOS during 70s syndication and I've happily followed TNG, DS9 (my favorite outside of TOS) and even Voyager and Enterprise (hard as it was at times)
With the new series, it's clear that, regardless of how the writers are approaching storytelling (Discovery is very much about "found family" which is ok, just not what I want Trek to be) that they constantly have to juggle the history/backstory. You're writing prequels and sequels in 2024 to a show that debued in 1966 and the hoops you have to jump thru to try and stay consistent is way too complicated.
To me, it's a waste of creative energy. I think (wish?) that the writers would put that effort into creating something new (heck, even a true reboot of Trek would make more sense)
I even suggested a FenCon panel (my first time to suggest one) for next year "Should Stories End" to discuss all these fictional universes (Trek, MCU, Star Wars, etc, etc) Hu and whether it's hurts story telling to try and write within the frameworks.
This is a bigger issue with media universes than written ones (I'm fine with a writer creating a "future history" etc, though even that does become stifling after a time). Maybe the difference is a single creator vs a writer's room.
Ha...sorry I'm long winded! And guess this isn't just about Raiders of course.
Should stories End? is a great idea for a panel! I think all of your points are valid here. We are always so thrilled when a sequel just comes close to the quality of the first movie, because it’s such a rarity in life. With Television, I’m more convinced than ever that shorter self contained seasons are the way to go. Much better writing, and if they don’t come back for another season, you’re not left with a bunch of what about questions.
While reading your remarks about aging, I was reminded of the 1986 movie Tough Guys. Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas play a pair of old gangsters who are released from prison after serving decades-long sentences. Younger criminals make fun of them, but not for long. Just because somebody's got some snow on the roof doesn't mean they're harmless. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092105/
Oh I completely agree. Moreover, older people have wisdom and accumulated knowledge that the young people will need in the absence of a quality education.
Thanks for another trip inside the bunker. I usually come to you for things that are inspirational, educational, REH-ish, or just plain fun. This one took me the other direction as John Cassaday's passing hit harder than I expected, especially right before 9/11. I loved his work on Planetary and Astonishing X-Men, but the Captain America he gave us after 9/11 was just what this long-time comics fan wanted to see. The same heroes that got us through tough times since WW2 did their best to put our feelings and emotions into words and images in a way that only comics can. It wasn't a time for funny books and kid comics, but it was a time for comics to be there for us and they delivered. I was never able to meet him in person, but I'm grateful for what he gave to this stranger.
Thank you for sharing! Cassaday was one in a million, no doubt. I’m always humbled by the effect art can have on a person.
I'm so glad I met you and the Absolute crew...and so many others during the old Dallas Fantasy Fair days. I was briefly going to work on something with John Cassaday. He was a cool guy (I barely knew him and feel terrible for those who actually did), and I was so happy to see all he went on to do.
The DFF was one of the most significant things in my life. You are a part of that, amigo!
Mark, I'm so sorry for so much loss recently. It's a sad consequence of living a relatively long life. I can only hope that eventually you will be able to be happy for what you shared. Keep the faith.
Thanks much! It seems obvious in hindsight but writing is my default for processing and figuring things out. I am thrilled if my thoughts help anyone else with what they may be going through.
Glad I at least said hello in the Dealer's Room...I'd love to sit down and discuss Indiana Jones a bit more....I have thoughts (you were on a panel the year before at ArmadilloCon, and had a quote I've been thinking about)
If you can’t wait another year, hit up here! I’m always happy to talk RAIDERS!
Ok...try to not ramble...
On the panel, you stated (roughly) that Raiders was about the genre, and the sequels were about Raiders. Which I think I probably agree with. What I wanted to comment on then (note, I never comment during panels 🤷♂️) was that this was an argument against sequels. That they become self referential.
I've been thinking about that even before, as I had been watching Star Trek Discovery and Strange New Worlds. I'm a huge Trek fan (in a way, Trek is my version of Raiders) finding TOS during 70s syndication and I've happily followed TNG, DS9 (my favorite outside of TOS) and even Voyager and Enterprise (hard as it was at times)
With the new series, it's clear that, regardless of how the writers are approaching storytelling (Discovery is very much about "found family" which is ok, just not what I want Trek to be) that they constantly have to juggle the history/backstory. You're writing prequels and sequels in 2024 to a show that debued in 1966 and the hoops you have to jump thru to try and stay consistent is way too complicated.
To me, it's a waste of creative energy. I think (wish?) that the writers would put that effort into creating something new (heck, even a true reboot of Trek would make more sense)
I even suggested a FenCon panel (my first time to suggest one) for next year "Should Stories End" to discuss all these fictional universes (Trek, MCU, Star Wars, etc, etc) Hu and whether it's hurts story telling to try and write within the frameworks.
This is a bigger issue with media universes than written ones (I'm fine with a writer creating a "future history" etc, though even that does become stifling after a time). Maybe the difference is a single creator vs a writer's room.
Ha...sorry I'm long winded! And guess this isn't just about Raiders of course.
Should stories End? is a great idea for a panel! I think all of your points are valid here. We are always so thrilled when a sequel just comes close to the quality of the first movie, because it’s such a rarity in life. With Television, I’m more convinced than ever that shorter self contained seasons are the way to go. Much better writing, and if they don’t come back for another season, you’re not left with a bunch of what about questions.
Fingers crossed they pick it as one ...Id love to see you on it