Backstories that make you shake your head? - Gen. Discussion

#1 Posted by Wolfrazer (2327 posts) - 3 months, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Now as most or probably everyone knows, there are a ton of comic characters around. Some are original, some are clones, some are animals, some are aliens, etc, etc you get the point. However...while there are a lot of comic characters, there have been a lot of backstories that

1. Are completely obvious that a writer, just wants to cash in on the original character.

2. Characters getting shoe horned in just because

3. Stories that have no creativity, and just make you shake your head in shame.

Now there are probably more reasons then that, but what I wanna know is. From you folks, which backstory of any character did you find

1. Lazy/Uncreative

or

2. Cash grabbing

or

3. Shoe horned in

?? Or just add in folks, which backstory made you just go "WHAT WAS THAT!?"

Now this isn't to hate on any characters per say, I mean without all the characters all original, clones, animals, aliens etc we wouldn't have a huge pile of characters to like/dislike. Though I do know some, MUST find at least ONE backstory that have made them shake their head.

#2 Posted by NiKva (94 posts) - 3 months, 28 days ago - Show Bio

I hate origin stories for mysterious characters. Its an obvious easy cash technique, and it takes a lot away from the character.

#3 Posted by Wolfrazer (2327 posts) - 3 months, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@NiKva said:

I hate origin stories for mysterious characters. Its an obvious easy cash technique, and it takes a lot away from the character.

Ya, unless you started the character with the backstory. Adding it in later, just seems to take away from the character. Any characters though that have started with an origin story, that you found to be ridiculous or lazy?

#4 Posted by Manhunter2070 (97 posts) - 3 months, 28 days ago - Show Bio

maybe this doesn't count because its a retcon, but I hate the new 52 origin for the Phantom Stranger, but I'm conflicted because this on the other hand I'm happy he's getting any exposure at all. I wasn't a fan of the new 52 Catwoman origin either.

#5 Posted by FadeToBlackBolt (21886 posts) - 3 months, 28 days ago - Show Bio

@Manhunter2070 said:

maybe this doesn't count because its a retcon, but I hate the new 52 origin for the Phantom Stranger, but I'm conflicted because this on the other hand I'm happy he's getting any exposure at all. I wasn't a fan of the new 52 Catwoman origin either.

The new 52 Phantom Stranger is an abomination. You are right to hate it. One of the worst decisions DC has ever made, along with letting Johns write Justice League.

Older comics, even those made to cash-in on character popularity, are mostly 10 million times better than the insulting crap being published now.

#6 Posted by V_Scarlotte_Rose (2083 posts) - 3 months, 28 days ago - Show Bio

Harleen Quinzel with blonde hair falls in acid, and comes out with half blue, half red hair, right down the middle of her head. I can accept it changing your hair one colour, but not two, especially so evenly.

I'll come back if I think of a more substantial answer, but this does annoy me.

#7 Posted by SirFizzWhizz (64 posts) - 3 months, 28 days ago - Show Bio

I've always found Batman's backstory to be generic, but I don't really hate him

#8 Posted by KnightRise (3684 posts) - 3 months, 28 days ago - Show Bio

New 52 Tim Drake. I'm not a blatant New 52 basher like DullToInhumanKing, but the changes made to Tim have yet to go anywhere character-wise, and by comparison are waaaay weaker than his old origin.

#9 Posted by ShadowMonkey (68 posts) - 3 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

I think this sums it up for alot of interesting characters that have been around for decades. I find origin stories are great to re-introduce every 5 years or so because of new readers, but I think consistency is needed anytime a backstory is re-told.

#10 Posted by The_Lunact_And_Manic (2913 posts) - 3 months, 27 days ago - Show Bio

@V_Scarlotte_Rose said:

Harleen Quinzel with blonde hair falls in acid, and comes out with half blue, half red hair, right down the middle of her head. I can accept it changing your hair one colour, but not two, especially so evenly.
I'll come back if I think of a more substantial answer, but this does annoy me.