...wait? WHAT!

For those that are expecting Part two of my deconstruction of the character Peter Parker, stay tuned it will be heading your way soon. Hi Dan! Still stalking me. Sheesh.

Deconstructing the Character of Peter Parker Part 1

This is the first in what is going to be a series of rants about the character of Peter Parker. My intent here is to go from the beginning to the point of where the character should be now and to show the change of awareness with the readers. By awareness, it is meant in regards the level of information accessed, level of experience, and general development in the human condition.

Amazing Fantasy published in 1962 introduce Peter Parker as a loner and science nerd. In a freak accident, he gets powers from a radioactive spider and becomes Spider-man. He let his ego get the better of him; as a result of that, his uncle Ben is killed. This teaches him that with great power comes great responsibility. Written by Stan Lee and art by Steve Ditko.

That is beginning of the serial life of Peter Parker where are introduce to the reason for his choice of becoming a hero and the motto he lives by that is the central theme in a majority of book. During Stan’s first run on Amazing Spider-man, the foundation of the character of Peter Parker was laid in way that he could relate to everyman. Hence is why Peter Parker is called the everyman character. Stan introduced a supporting cast that would highlight certain aspects of Peter’s nature.

Aunt May represented Peter’s past and his guilt. His sense of responsibility toward her can be seen as two fold. She is the mother figured for Peter. She believes in him when no one else would and supported him during his younger years in his science endeavors. She believed that he meant to do something great and be something great. She is also a reminder of his guilt of inaction and ego. She suffered the loss of her husband. Peter sees that every time he looks at Aunt May or thinks of her. It could be said that Aunt May represents the best and worst of Peter’s action. The best being in his scientific ability that she helps cultivate, and the worst result of not using his powers responsibly.

J. Jonah Jameson represented the authority figure that Peter’s clashed with in his youth. During the sixties authority was often questioned or seen as the enemy. Peter either thinking or getting into fight with JJ touch a cord with America’s youth at the time. It also shows a streak of strength in the character that wasn’t shown while he was at high school. He was also a source of unintended support to Peter’s life giving a strong male figure he could sort of look up to and get used to focus his rebellious streak towards.

Flash Thomason could be seen as Peter’s id in psychological terms. Flash tormented Peter during High School which Peter allowed because of hiding his secret identity. It also could be said part of Peter felt he desired to be tormented by Flash due to his constant degrading himself. Flash was Peter’s punishment for Uncle Ben’s death.

During this time the introduction of what has been called the “Ditko villains” happen in the books. The majority of these villains have one thing in common, science. These represented what could have happened if Peter chose a different path. They, for the most part, are the other side of coin of the character of Peter Parker.

Readers during this time we part of country that some say where divided amongst on themselves. Children were rebelling against their parents. They were challenging authority figures and questioning their government. Peter Parker could be seen as iconic figure at that time. Peter was rebelling against the ideas and views of people that pigeon hole him as a “nerd” by becoming Spider-man. Spider-man was everything Peter wasn’t by being strong and funny. Readers at that time could relate to that because they wanted to be different than everyone else especially what their parents what them to be. Reader also could relate to Peter sense of guilty and responsibility. Readers at that time took to the streets to show how they felt and took responsibility for those actions. They felt guilty for their countries actions and showed it in protest.

That is it for part one which basically takes place from 1962-69.

The Man Behind the Blog

My last entry was a look back at where I was and how I got here. I am sure some are wondering why I am talking about myself so much because I always figure it helps reading something on the ‘Net that you know something about the person. Sure, I am just guy that have experience a lot and the surface of that has been barely shown here on this blog or on Skype. One thing is constant, I am asshole. I make no qualms about it. I can be unforgiving. I could explain why, but I am not getting that personal over the ‘Net. That requires a level of trust which I don’t have with anyone anymore. It isn’t what most you think either; it isn’t my divorce. It is part of it, but it isn’t the whole story.

To put this simply this blog here is a very small part of who I am. I am a pretty lay back kind of guy until something bothers to me to point where I feel the need to say something. Does that get me into trouble? Yeah, it gets me into trouble a lot and not just on ‘Net.

While I do make mistakes and apologize for them. I will only apologize once afterwards because to keep saying you are sorry is begging. I don’t beg. You want begging? Get a dog because they are happy to do it. I don’t beg anyone’s forgiveness. I say I am sorry and move on. I don’t make false apologies either. When I say I am sorry, I mean it. It isn’t just lip service for anyone. In fact, it doesn’t matter to me if you accept my apologies or not because I said I was sorry for myself more than the person that has the problem with me. It is telling me there is something for me to learn and grow from this experience. While I agree that always apologizing is a bad thing, never apologizing is worst because you are only hurting yourself. I don’t expect anyone to apologize to me because that means I am waiting for someone to grow up and that’s a waste of my time.

I also will stop dealing with people who I feel are completely negative, except Dan Slott. I do surround myself with positive things to keep me focus on what is really important. I know I can be hard to deal with sometimes because I am chosen outlook on life, but I can’t go back to being wishy washy milksop that I was in 2000. That guy was a fucking dumbass and didn’t give a fly fuck about himself as a person. I will never be that person again. I am not saying I am selfish prick, in some ways I am, but I am saying that I will not let myself to be quiet when I think something is wrong. I do get burned for that, but I don’t ever regret doing that because I feel that is the right thing to do no matter what happens. If I made a mistake, I admit it and move on.

Well, there you go. You have a basic idea of the person writing this or happen to talk to on Skype sometime. I am asshole….By the way did I mention that I am an Eagle Scout also? I follow the Scouting Laws and apply them to life. That should help even more when dealing with someone like me. Well, that is going to be it about me for a very long time because the next posting will be about comics again because I want to do a rant of who Peter Parker is in my opinion. I hope you had a great Holiday Season. Until next time……….

P.S. I know my posts are extremely long about things, but I try to give you a complete thesis on the subject I am doing. In other words, reading is good and too much video is bad. ;-)

A Decade in Review of TSChamp

In 2000, we started the 21st Century with my family intact. By the end, I was fighting with every fiber of my being to keep it together from a person that wanted to destroy it, my ex-wife.

In 2001, things got worse, we moved in with her mother.

In 2002, things continued to go downhill and things began to take a toll on me mentally. I was very angry.

In 2003, I moved out in February. I was robbed in June, which led me to almost homeless if my boss didn’t help me out. Moved into a motel.

In 2004, I moved into small one bedroom place. The proudest moment for me in this new Century because I did all on my own for once. Change career path from plumber to cable guy. By the end of this year, my ex decided to lie about Thanksgiving and with hold my children from me.

In 2005, the year started off with a very depressed person. One that was extremely angry, violent, and hated himself to point of suicide was a real option. In March, woke up on the 21, looked in the mirror, and decided that it was time for a change. I looked into the mirror for months and told myself I love myself. By October, I was stronger and clearer than I had been years. My son came to live with me due to the school calling me about his appearance and a note they found in his backpack. With a clear thought no matter what that I will be there for him, everyone else can go fuck themselves.

In 2006, still working cable growing more confident in whom I am and being a father. Family stuff came up and felt powerless to do anything about it. The internet war of the ex started by hacking my MySpace account and my blog at the time. Which I laughed at for the first time, I grow beyond her ability to hurt me anymore with these attempts to hurt me. Besides, turnabout is fair game. Adopted the saying, I am an asshole and damn proud of it. Developed a code of honor which is to do what I felt is right and damn the consequences. My son grows to know who he is and where he is going. Made honor roll for the first time.

In 2007, worked with predator hunt for 6 months at the beginning of the year, Change jobs to satellite and went back to cable as a contractor. Son made the honor roll for the second time. Disappeared from the Internet because of needing a break from the fantasy world and dealt with reality. Grow stronger and tougher. Son started High School.

In 2008, with the help of a good friend move into a two bedroom place to be closer to my other kids. Started watching from the shadows and disappearing before being noticed. Son stated his desire to become and animator in Japan.

In 2009, mother needed help. Moved in with me to get straight on her health and monies. Return to Internet as better person and more in control of who I am. Got hurt on the job and was let go. The year ended with a new job offer and promise of better years ahead.

That is it in a nutshell. In the past 10 years, there were a lot of changes on mental level. The sad thing is that I waited until I was 35 to start figuring out who I was and what I can be. A journey that I still make every day. I have become stronger mentally with the idea of who I want to be and where I am going. It is going to be one hell of a journey still because there is a lot more that needs to be done before I stop. In fact, I am just getting warmed up and everyone better braced themselves because things will get more interesting from here. Happy New Year!

Conservatives are Right (So are the Liberals)

Taking a break from subjects that deal with Comic books, this is going to be a political rant. That means people will not agree with a lot that is about to me said here.

There two major ideologies in the American Political spectrum; those being Conservative and Liberal with the difference in ideology being in how the Federal Government should be used to help America. Conservatives, in general, are more about state rights and less government interference in people’s lives. The Liberals are about taking care of the American people and protecting American rights. Those are just broad views on the basic ideology of these two groups. They both have good ideas about how to help America. They also have extremist for their causes that tend to tarnish there public image.

Conservatives are correct when they say that Big Government is not what Americans want to have in their lives. The Federal Government should not be involved in our daily lives like it is now. They should have a very light touch on the grand scheme of things. The belief that communities can take care of their people is true and doesn’t need a big brother watching over them. A state can better decide what is best for those that live there compare to the Federal Government.

Conservatives also believe that the less money is taken from the rich is the best. That is partly true. It is true that top 10% of earners pay more in taxes and thus have more monies taxed by the Feds. The main problem with cutting taxes on that top 10% of earners is that they don’t spend money like the average American. A business teacher once said this in a class,” Rich people are rich for one reason. They don’t spend money. They save money.” Cutting taxes on that 10% will lessen money being put back into programs and services that are needed.

Conservatives are right about the entitlement mentality that some Americans display. The reason for this is because those programs and services offered by the Federal Government are not run properly. There is thinking, in some, that the average American needs help to achieve their dreams. That is partly true, but it is also true that if one doesn’t work hard to achieve their dream it isn’t appreciated. There has to be better guidelines and help for those on Welfare and other service, so they can be totally independent from those programs. There also has to be a limit to how many times Americans can use those services.

Liberals are right they we need to help those that can’t help themselves. They execute these ideas wrong. They create larger Government services which don’t really help Americans to achieve independence from these services. The best way is to give a helping hand to stand up and show these people the right way. Teach them how to fish, so they can feed themselves.

Liberals are correct that Green technology is the future. It must be an American industry that stays in America. I mean those jobs stay here and not shipped overseas. Green tech can create a new industrial revolution in this country if some would just stop fighting it. It also has to have an affordable price from the get go. Give tax breaks to those that use it and those that make it. If they are serious about this, they need to do something to make it appealing to everyone.

Liberal are correct to say there is corporate greed in America. They are wrong thinking it is everywhere. It goes back to the saying about one bad apple spoiling the bunch. Those that get too greedy are found and dealt with by companies that make these deals. The Federal Government needs to stay out of it completely. No bail outs or loans for these companies that keep people that have display these traits. Let them fall to the wayside and let another company take their place. That is the American way.

Liberal are correct in saying that the Health Care system is broken. They are wrong about the execution of fixing this problem. There does not need to be a new entitlement that will cause greater burden on the American people. They could create guidelines that could fix the majority of the problems in the Health Care field. Create tax breaks for companies that offer quality health care for people with meager means of support. Offer monies to those companies that create a wellness program that helps prevent major health problems. These all could be done without any major spending of taxpayer’s dollars.

Both camps have good ideas, but they fail on execution. The middle class America spend more disposable income that the 10% and that should be address by both camps. Tax breaks should never be just for one group, but it should be done in the way that all Americans feel it. If we take a real hard look at what the Federal Government has done since 1991, it isn’t much besides a bunch of bickering. The extremist are more concerned about placing blame than fixing the problems permanently. That is another trait that both camps share. They don’t look at long term effects of their execution of their ideas. It has been mostly quick fixes. It needs to stop and make long term changes for the good of all.

Mary Jane Watson the Most Writer Abused Character

Excellent title isn’t it? It is excellent because it happens to be true. Writers have been smacking around Mary Jane Watson for so long that it comes as surprised that she is not drawn with black eyes. The main problem is the writers are afraid or don’t understand the character at all. The lack of research into this character is just mind boggling because this happens to be one of those characters with a rich history where there could numerous dramatic stories that can be told.

Mary Jane Watson could be seen as the one of the greatest creation by Stan and Steve. She was, on the surface, the polar opposite of Peter Parker. She was popular and looking to have fun all the time. That is how she was first presented when she was introduced in the world of Peter Parker. Peter by comparison was the outsider and looked on the dark side of life think there was nothing he could do right. Mary Jane Watson brought some light heartiness to the book that was needed because those early issue were pretty dark if you take in the context of how Peter felt about himself. Mary Jane brought some needed relief of the constant teenage angst that was going on the time when Pete was in High School.

As Peter’s character evolved, Mary Jane’s character also evolved beyond that of “Party Girl”. We learned that Mary Jane came from a home that had an abusive father. She put on a brave face in front of her friend with the whole “let's have fun” attitude because it was an escape for her home life. She ran from the dark aspect of life. Anytime one of her friends was going through a personal crisis, she would just go party and have fun. That was her stander operating procedure until Gwen’s death. That was first time she stops and faces a dark crisis because of what Peter meant to her. That was a major shift for the character. She went from the Party Girl to Peter’s best friend that was there for him because she knows his secret.

Mary Jane disappeared for a time, but she return to let Peter know that she knows he is Spider-man. Once again, another major shift in the character. Peter found someone that he could talk to about Spider-man openly and not feel like he was alone in the world. Peter was dating Felicia Hardy, Black Cat, at the time which made the relationship with Mary Jane complex. Mary Jane was the friend that had feelings for Peter beyond that typical “just friends”. He would come to her with problems about Felicia and about being Spider-man. They grew closer to the point where during the many breaks with Peter’s relationship with Felicia that they kiss during a fight about Felicia causing a thought bubble from Mary Jane,” That was like we were boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Peter asked Mary Jane once to marry him, and she turned him down. She didn’t want to deal with the whole Spider-man aspect of his life. When she did say yes to his marriage proposal, things got worse for the character because she was portray wrong by the writer. She became a supermodel. That turned some of the fans off because they thought it did not fit in Peter’s world. Then she became an actress, which also did not fit in Peter’s world. Then she was killed, that fit in Peter’s world. Yet, it did not work because many readers could not see Peter with someone else now because Mary Jane was the girl. She came back and they separated because, once again, Mary Jane didn’t want deal with Peter being Spider-man. Sensing a theme here? Mary Jane, after seeing Peter selfless actions as Spider-man, that it was something Peter needed to do and has to do in order for her to love him. That led to some the best stories with the marriage in years.

Now, that the history lesson is over we can look at the mistakes with the character. The biggest mistake that the writers make with Mary Jane; with Peter too, is trying to keep them stuck in the past. There has to be growth or the characters will become stale. Sure, you can say that they have to stay the exactly the same as they were first written, but you will kill the book fast because it will become boring. There were many stories that could have done within Spider-man that would have change how the readers look at Mary Jane. Some examples:

-Mary Jane could have decided to choose to help Peter by joining the Police force.
-Mary Jane could have become an activist for Hero’s Right during Civil War.
-Mary Jane could have gotten a degree in Criminal Psychology and tried to help Peter.
-Mary Jane could have become an Investigating reporter and covered why Spider-man is seen as a menace.

: There were many stories that could have made the character stronger beyond turning into a model or actress.

There is whole, “I can’t be with you because you’re Spider-man,” theme that writers love to use to the point where the readers want to puke. That was fine for the first couple of years of the marriage, but it should have stopped after that because they were not going to get a divorce. It is worn out theme that is used by writers that have no imagination and hate the character of Mary Jane. They rather slap her around so the reader won’t like her, and they can start to write Peter fucking everyone that will spread her legs in the Marvel Universe. This is where the writers come off like prepubescent fanboys. They can’t wrap their minds around the fact that the readership have changed and so have the character. They want their old Peter back damn it and nothing is going to stop that from happening. It is magic and the readers need to shut up about already is their thinking. The problem they have is that Mary Jane is popular character that people want to read about over and over again because that is what they want. Do they need reminding who pays for those checks they cash from Marvel? The readership’s money is where that money comes from in order that check to be any good.

Mary Jane could be seen as the abusive wife for the writers to smack around as they please because the readership allows it to happen. Yes, the writers have screwed Mary Jane so many times that she is the perfect metaphor for a ten cent hooker. The readership allowed this to happen because we did not say anything when it happens except when they get rid of the marriage. It is time to fight for Mary Jane too. The marriage coming back is important, but we must watch how Mary Jane is being used as a character because that causes some problems too. One main goal should be that a woman writes for Spider-man and not bunch of men that are going through a mid-life crisis.

Sales Numbers or the Greatest Con by Comic Companies

Those that follow the drama that is Brand New Day knows that people point to sales number to either say, “It is doing great,” or ,” It is going downhill fast.” That is the real drama here, sales number that is posted by sites that follow that sort of thing. The truth of the matter these mean nothing. Absolutely nothing, in regards, to the Local Comic Shops, readers, and many other outlets these numbers are just a pipe dream. These numbers are just for the companies to fool themselves with to believe that they are doing well.

The so-call “sale numbers” are not sales at all. They are distribution number that tell us how many issue are being sent out to stores. These numbers show how confident the outlets are about selling an issue of comic. As an example, a store orders 20 copies of a book expecting to sell 10 to regular customer and 5 to new customers leaving 5 for back issues. If a store over order or an issue doesn’t sell well, they could end up with 15 in back issue bin. This causes those outlets to lose money because they now have to sell those issues at a discount to break even, they hope. In truth, these outlets lose money on a lot of issues because they have to sell them at a greater discounted price they the pay for. In turn, they lose the money they put out for the book and lost of any chance of a profit.

If you look at these numbers as future sales, you are partly correct. These future sales decrease in value as time goes on because of the actions of the companies. To put this in way that makes thing clear, variant covers are killing the industry because it floods the market because they want a quick buck. The reasons for comics like Amazing Fantasy 15 being high valued and treasured is because how rare they are in the market place. The only way to fix this type of thing is to fix how the companies treat outlets for their products.

The comic industry is the only industry that doesn’t allow stores to return unsold products. Why are Local Comic Shops losing money? That is reason number one right they because they are stuck with product they have to move at a lost to them and not the companies. You want to see an example of greed that is out of control, Comic Companies are the best example of this type of thing. They keep all the money from LCS and basically stick them with bill of the cost of printing material that doesn’t sell.

How to fix this whole thing? One, companies must be allow to return product that doesn’t sell. This would be a benefit to both the companies and the outlets. One, the company would get a very clear idea what is working and what isn’t. Secondly the outlets would not be stuck with an overstock of product that they will have sell at a lost. Two, create a real sales number chart for people to follow. BND is being distributed typically at the 60,000 mark, but the real question is how many of those are going into customer’s hands? It isn’t 60,000 that is for sure because you can find ten to twenty issues of ASM on the racks, in back stock bins, and in the fifty cent bins. This is causing shops to lose money. Allowing shops to return the majority of unsold product would help bring a greater sense of what is needed to keep the industry moving forward, and, more importantly, what the readers like. Marvel is really guilty of this because they were once in touch with the readers, but they have lost that touch due to the enormous egos and plain pig headiness of the people working there.

These companies say they stand behind their products. They need to prove that to everyone by allowing shops to return unsold product at the price that was paid for. Then they can say they are listening to the shop because this is one thing that has been requested by many LCS. It will also tell the companies if the moves they have done to create readers have been worth it. Many people working at these companies are living in a dream world and need to wake up. They need to wake up not just for the good of the business, but they need to come to realize they could be hurting this industry more than helping it. Trades are nice to get a complete arc, but the single issue is the life blood of this industry because it is their hype machine. Reader talks to friends and other readers, which in turn, increases the sales of Trades. It is time for these companies to realize that the readers are in control and own the sandbox…lock, stock, and barrel.