Plot Vs. Characters

[Black King]

I'm curious as to which means more to you Characters or Plot. I know it seems a odd question but its just weird to me. I see people online complaining about stories and comics that they refuse to read cause it stars new characters or ones they don't like. Or they read story they hate or find mediocre just cause its starring people they like to read about. Me personally while i do have a few Characters i follow (Doom, Iron Man) I really rather read something good then anything randomly starring them. What do you think? Does a good plot matter more or using certain Characters??

 

[Rampage]

It is a combination for most people I think. I am not above reading good books and I am often persuaded to get some things because of the quality of the writing. But I always end up back at the same few characters: Hulk, She-Hulk, Thor, Avengers.

One thing that cannot be underestimated is the fact that many fans of certain characters wade through crap at times because they know the payoff is coming. For example, there have been lulls and stupid plots with the Hulk. But when I consider the good times, it makes it all worthwhile. I happen to think that the Red Hulk is REALLY stupid. But no way am I opting out after Planet Hulk, World War Hulk and Son of Hulk. No way.

 

[Seer]

i value the quality of the character and his/her continuity being preserved. it annoys me to NO END when characters (most notably Storm, Psylocke, PHOENIX) have been dumbed down, dilluted or even depowered...because some writer decided to take her into a "new direction".

VERY RARELY have i seen writers like Bendis actually IMPROVE a character but there is one noticeable exception to that in his case...SPIDER WOMAN.

Ms. Marvel also benefited from the fact that the man who launched her latest title grew up reading her originally in the 70's, followed her through her long standing association with the x-men and membership with the avengers in the 80's through her wild ride as Binary into the 90's. He was as some would say a "Ms. Marvel fan boy" and he has really done right by the character.

but for every case like Spider Woman and Ms. Marvel...there are cases like Storm, Psylocke, White Queen, PHOENIX and many more.

Characters are changed/ruined to the point where kids today dont know how GREAT these characters once WERE, how truly powerfull and capable they were.

 

[Black King]

One thing that cannot be underestimated is the fact that many fans of certain characters wade through crap at times because they know the payoff is coming. For example, there have been lulls and stupid plots with the Hulk. But when I consider the good times, it makes it all worthwhile. I happen to think that the Red Hulk is REALLY stupid. But no way am I opting out after Planet Hulk, World War Hulk and Son of Hulk. No way.

I get that but at times its just a bit much when you put names like Wolverine on a title they admit they its one of the worst things they ever read but still get it because its Wolverine or buy the summer crossover that crosses over into 48 different titles. Especially when you consider most of the better titles that come out (The Order, Shadowpact, Blue Beetle, Immortal Iron Fist, Sinestro Corps War, Annihilation) that are critically praised but just don't sell cause Spider-man or someone isn't in it.

i value the quality of the character and his/her continuity being preserved. it annoys me to NO END when characters (most notably Storm, Psylocke, PHOENIX) have been dumbed down, dilluted or even depowered...because some writer decided to take her into a "new direction".

Thats more of the problems of a shared universe with a sliding time line. The style of a character doesn't fit the vision or writing style of the new author. The new direction thing is mostly because most characters can't introduce new characters and just revamp someone be who they want. Most characters like Storm, Ms Marvel and Psylocke only got where they are or the levels of popularity/power because the writer at the time took them in completely new direction from previous incarnations.