Questions: Superheroes in Prose

[bigsleepj]

I'm not sure if this should be in the Writing forum or here, but it seems to cover both in a way. I'll leave it for the mods.

Basically over the past few months I've conceived a story which falls under the superhero genre though wouldn't be able to produce as a graphic novel series since my artistic skills are not up to scratch. Remotely. At least for the scope of the story. So I've thought of writing it as a story. I've read a Spiderman story (involving Venom) once that was in prose form, but that's the extent of my ventures into this form and as I understand it, its not very popular amongst readers of both genres (unless its Doc Savage style). So here's my set of questions regarding this form...

What is your oppinion of superheroes appearing in prose as opposed to their prefered medium - comic books?

Do consider prose and graphics to be equal, better, worse or just plain preposterous?

Would you consider buying / reading one if the story sounded good, despite not liking it?

Thanks for your time...

[uc pseudonym]

I think that this is the proper forum.

What is your oppinion of superheroes appearing in prose as opposed to their prefered medium - comic books?

Overall I don't have a problem with this. While I feel that some of the earliest and simplest plot lines in comics would be laughable in prose, many modern stories have a fair amount of depth. I think that it could easily withstand the difference in mediums.

Do consider prose and graphics to be equal, better, worse or just plain preposterous?

Equal but very different.

Would you consider buying / reading one if the story sounded good, despite not liking it?

What do you mean by "not liking it"? In any case, I basically never buy books, I just borrow them from friends or check them out from the library. So I'd be more inclined to read something I thought sounded good.

[Maledicte]

I think I'm familiar with the book you mentioned...was it one of the Spiderman/Venom books by Diane Duane? They were alright, although I admit to reading all three. However I found myself too involved with the illustration headers for each chapter rather than the book itself.

However, I have read some very nice prose on superheros--Ultimate Silver Surfer was a good collection, and I've heard the novel Mary Jane is good as well.

[bigsleepj]

I think that this is the proper forum.

Whoo hoo! I rule!

Overall I don't have a problem with this. While I feel that some of the earliest and simplest plot lines in comics would be laughable in prose, many modern stories have a fair amount of depth. I think that it could easily withstand the difference in mediums.

Ah, yes. The fact that my story has the possibility of becoming rather complex makes prose a better choice (though I'd prefer the visuals).

Equal but very different.

Very True. Different animals entirely. Apples and oranges. I don't tend to believe that one artistic medium (comic books, literature, movies, painting, photography) is 'more complete' or 'better' than the other, though I do prefer one to the other.

What do you mean by "not liking it"? In any case, I basically never buy books, I just borrow them from friends or check them out from the library. So I'd be more inclined to read something I thought sounded good.

That was, 'assuming you don't like the idea of prose superhero novels'. In other words, would you be swayed into buying it despite prejudices. Suddenly I realize its not a very good qood question. Doh.

[bigsleepj]

I think I'm familiar with the book you mentioned...was it one of the Spiderman/Venom books by Diane Duane? They were alright, although I admit to reading all three. However I found myself too involved with the illustration headers for each chapter rather than the book itself.

Ah, that's her. I did a quick search and saw it was "The Venom Factor" in which an odd creature from the Antarctic (which reminded me somewhat of those strange shapeshifting creatures from At the Mountains of Madness by Lovecraft when I read it) that eats nuclear waste terrorizes the city while one of the Goblins try to nuke the city. Its been a decade since I read that, and I have to agree - the illustrations were very good.

[R. Zion]

Hmm, a kindred creative spirit! I, too, am considering writing a series of stories (after my current 3 books) that would be classified within the Superhero genre.

Another example of Heroes in prose would be 'the Web of Arachnos', the tie-in novel for City of Heroes. I haven't really heard any negatives about it, but then again, I've never really done any research. Might be worth looking into.

[bigsleepj]

Hmm, a kindred creative spirit! I, too, am considering writing a series of stories (after my current 3 books) that would be classified within the Superhero genre.

Ah, good - so I'm not the only one to turn to prose to produce something like that. I wish thee good luck with yours. What genre is your current 3 books?

Anyway, I've began writing it anyway, just a test chapter to see if it sticks.

[uc pseudonym]

Good luck in that endeavor.

Very True. Different animals entirely. Apples and oranges. I don't tend to believe that one artistic medium (comic books, literature, movies, painting, photography) is 'more complete' or 'better' than the other, though I do prefer one to the other.

For me, I tend to prefer one based on a given project. I have one story that really operates far better in comic form than in writing, but there are some things I do in prose that simply can't be done in graphic form. It's a case by case thing.

[R. Zion]

Ah, good - so I'm not the only one to turn to prose to produce something like that. I wish thee good luck with yours. What genre is your current 3 books?

Anyway, I've began writing it anyway, just a test chapter to see if it sticks.

My current three books (or hopeful books-to-be) are kinda sci-fi/fantasy, I guess. It takes place in an alternate world/dimension, somewhat like FMA. They're advanced in some areas and behind on others.

[mitsuki lover]

I think one of the first superhero novels was The Death And Life Of Superman adopted from the mega-mini series that ran in DC comics in the '90s.I also have the novel adoption of Knightfall story arch from Batman.

[bigsleepj]

My current three books (or hopeful books-to-be) are kinda sci-fi/fantasy, I guess. It takes place in an alternate world/dimension, somewhat like FMA. They're advanced in some areas and behind on others.

Ah, cool! Thanks! Hope you finish them.

[R. Zion]

Ah, cool! Thanks! Hope you finish them.

lol...so do I!

[Sammy Boy]

What is your oppinion of superheroes appearing in prose as opposed to their prefered medium - comic books?

My personal preference is to read comics instead. This is because I am used to this kind of story telling medium, and like looking at artwork. But it's a personal preference.

Do consider prose and graphics to be equal, better, worse or just plain preposterous?

I think it can work equally well, I remember seeing a novel on Batman a long while back. I think it simply addresses / fills a different kind of need. Some stories work better as comics, others better written.

Would you consider buying / reading one if the story sounded good, despite not liking it?

I definitely would. I would consider it a novel. If a comic version of it came out I'd buy that too. Then I'll have the best of both worlds.