Transmetropolitan, Preacher, and Sandman..... Overrated?

#1 Posted by IrishX (1704 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

I'm not saying they are because I'm not completely knowledgeable about them but I hear a lot about them and what I usually think is that people think it's the "cool" thing to like these comics. Maybe the stories are really great so maybe they deserve such praise but I think the art is seriously lacking in all three of them.

I have read a little Trans and the swearing and much of it comes off as childish to me.

I realize what I've just typed is probably considered blasphemy to some but I just can't help but wonder if they are overrated.

#2 Posted by Icarusflies (11272 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

Nope, Sandman is UNDERrated if anything. It is one of the greatest series ever written, no question.

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#3 Posted by Methos (40100 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

Preacher definitely isn't overrated...

it's one of the most fantastic reads you'll find. Not only is it well written and well thought out, but it's actually done in a way that appeals to an adult audience instead of spelling everything out for a nine year old reader to understand.

Sandman as well, fantastic read... Transmet... some like it, some don't... personally i love it, but i can understand people who don't like it.

M

#4 Posted by AMS (1380 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

It would be best to read them yourself and make your own judgement.

#5 Posted by Cezar_TheScribe (2037 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

I agree, they are overrated. I don't buy MAX or Vertigo "adult" books.

@IrishX said:

I have read a little Trans and the swearing and much of it comes off as childish to me.

Me too, cursing doesn't belong in comics.

#6 Posted by AMS (1380 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

What is overrated about Sandman then?

#7 Posted by Cezar_TheScribe (2037 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@AMS said:

"What is overrated about Sandman then? "

Put a code on it. :p

#8 Posted by Methos (40100 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@IrishX said:

"I have read a little Trans and the swearing and much of it comes off as childish to me."

Just thought i'd check, are you actually old / mature enough to buy these comics and understand the themes behind them?

If you think they're overrated, then perhaps you're not understanding them properly

M

#9 Posted by Korg (11931 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

Preacher is good, though everyone suffers from Dillon face. The Sandman is simply incredible. Personally, I love Transmetropolitan, it's probably my favorite book ever. I don't think any of these series are overrated.

@Cezar_TheScribe said:

" I don't buy MAX or Vertigo "adult" books."

This makes me sad.

#10 Posted by IrishX (1704 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@Methos said:

" @IrishX said:

"I have read a little Trans and the swearing and much of it comes off as childish to me."
Just thought i'd check, are you actually old / mature enough to buy these comics and understand the themes behind them? If you think they're overrated, then perhaps you're not understanding them properly M "

I'm over 30......  and I didn't say they were overrated I just asked if anyone else thinks they may be.

I haven't read them so I can't misunderstand them. This is really more about how it's cool to like certain things.

Part of my motivation to make this thread comes from this one... http://www.comicvine.com/forums/gen-discussion/1/what-comic-company-doesnt-suck/579161/#67

More specifically these comments by our resident Vertigo lover Aztek...

The Sandman, one of the greatest comics of all time

Preacher, it's mostly talked about by morons who don't understand why it's so awesome but it is a great comic

Transmetropolitan, if you don't love this book it's because you can't handle truth

There are plenty of regular books out there but a major reason to read comics is that you have beautiful art to go along with it. I have yet to see anyone mention the art in these comics. Does anyone like it or think it's good?

#11 Posted by AMS (1380 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@IrishX:

Check out Sandman: The Dream Hunters if you want to see art.

#12 Edited by aztek_the_lost (30738 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@IrishX said:

"
The Sandman, one of the greatest comics of all time Preacher, it's mostly talked about by morons who don't understand why it's so awesome but it is a great comic Transmetropolitan, if you don't love this book it's because you can't handle truth "

to explain my comments:

as related to The Sandman, I take that as an opinion from the comic critic world, Sandman has won awards that comics are not even eligible to win, I agree with it myself but people who complain about the art are seriously missing out, the story is magnificent, and the art grows on you, the only problem I ever had was some of the outdated coloring but they've begun updating that in the trades to a modern level of coloring

for Preacher, I say it's mostly talked about by morons because a lot of people talking about Preacher miss the point, yes it's hilarious, but there's an overall point to the thing that nobody seems to bring up, people just seem to care about it because of things like Saint of Killers being bada$$, which is certainly true but not the point...some would say Preacher is out-of-date, but based on its time period it was revolutionary, I don't think it's out-of-date myself but I would agree it's probably not as shocking as it would have been in its time...I know a lot of people hate Dillon though, but I'm not a huge hater

and as for Transmetropolitan, the comic is all about the truth, first of all, if you dislike the art I don't know why, Darick Robertson is one of the greatest artists in the comic world, second of all, the writing is fantastic...like Preacher it has some craziness that some people can't enjoy but the truth is, in the case of Transmet most certainly, if it weren't for an over-the-top source of humor (Spider Jerusalem) the book would be so goddamn depressing that people would probably kill themselves after reading, it shows the filth of society and exposes it's diseased underbelly, grim but necessary

In conclusion, they all were part of DC's own "After Watchmen" event and are constantly pushed by the publisher themselves so this isn't just me (the guy who's opinion you disagree with) pushing them, it's the industry itself, they are definitely not overrated.

P.S. Silkcuts, my fellow Vertigo lover, finds Preacher to be overrated if that helps your argument. That being because it takes all the fame away from Ennis and Dillon's Hellblazer run which came first and admittedly had some concepts that were later re-used and refined in Preacher.

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#13 Posted by aztek_the_lost (30738 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

in general though, I know a lot of people shy away from Vertigo because of art (which I find ridiculous, keeping everything the same style is the exact opposite of the definition of art), I feel what EGN expressed a few days ago in a Humberto Ramos thread...

I hate how if you don't draw like Jim Lee your art is considered terrible

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#14 Posted by Emperor Gonzo Noir (19681 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@aztek the lost said:

" in general though, I know a lot of people shy away from Vertigo because of art (which I find ridiculous, keeping everything the same style is the exact opposite of the definition of art), I feel what EGN expressed a few days ago in a Humberto Ramos thread...

I hate how if you don't draw like Jim Lee your art is considered terrible
"

That is true, I did say this

#15 Posted by Son_of_Magnus (15259 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

Will Dillon ever receive the respect he deserves?

#16 Posted by aztek_the_lost (30738 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@Son_of_Magnus said:

" Will Dillon ever receive the respect he deserves? "

he did, people used to rave about him, read the letters pages of the comics he worked on (like Preacher and Hellblazer)...it's in modern times that everyone hates him

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#17 Posted by Theodore (3445 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

Transmet is awesome and Sandman is one of the best written comics I've seen. I haven't got around the The Preacher yet.

#18 Posted by Video_Martian (5631 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

Nowadays, Batman, Green Lantern, and the X-Men are WAY more overrated than any of those series are.

#19 Edited by brc2000 (1679 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

Nope sorry. Any recognition they get is well deserved.

#20 Posted by aztek_the_lost (30738 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@Emperor Gonzo Noir said:

" @aztek the lost said:
" in general though, I know a lot of people shy away from Vertigo because of art (which I find ridiculous, keeping everything the same style is the exact opposite of the definition of art), I feel what EGN expressed a few days ago in a Humberto Ramos thread...

I hate how if you don't draw like Jim Lee your art is considered terrible
"
That is true, I did say this "

it also true that I quoted him saying this

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#21 Posted by Emperor Gonzo Noir (19681 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@Korg said:

" Preacher is good, though everyone suffers from Dillon face.

That's a good way to put it

#22 Posted by IrishX (1704 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@aztek the lost said:

"In conclusion, they all were part of DC's own "After Watchmen" event and are constantly pushed by the publisher themselves so this isn't just me (the guy who's opinion you disagree with) pushing them, it's the industry itself, they are definitely not overrated. P.S. Silkcuts, my fellow Vertigo lover, finds Preacher to be overrated if that helps your argument. "

Thanks for the reply. I'm not arguing either way.... just asking what people think.

#23 Posted by Cezar_TheScribe (2037 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@Korg said:

"Preacher is good, though everyone suffers from Dillon face. The Sandman is simply incredible. Personally, I love Transmetropolitan, it's probably my favorite book ever. I don't think any of these series are overrated.

@Cezar_TheScribe said:

" I don't buy MAX or Vertigo "adult" books."
This makes me sad. "

You're welcome.

#24 Posted by Pizawle (1074 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

I have not gotten around to reading these series yet, so I cannot comment on this particular case. However, in any case where something is highly regarded, there are a group who says it is overrated. I feel it is always nonsense. Maybe they do not personally like it, and hey that is completely fine, but just because you do not enjoy something does not mean your word is law. And the more likely truth in these cases is that the people's claims of overrated on these highly regarded works has little to nothing to do with their feelings on them and instead just stem from the desire to seem 'cool' for going against the tide or from a lack of understanding which causes them to lash out.

And while quality may indeed be mostly or all subjective (though I do not personally believe that), when the majority feels something is this great, then it probably is (as long as the majority is a sensible group, unlike the imbeciles who support all the abysmal trash in mainstream music).

#25 Posted by IrishX (1704 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@Pizawle:
I wonder if you misunderstand the point here. It's not that anyone is saying these are bad series but I'm merely asking if they are overrated. By definition that does not mean they are bad but possibly "rated to highly".

When I hear or see stuff like "greatest series no question" it makes me think overrated. When I see things like "If you don't like it then you just don't understand it" it makes me think overrated.

I love the last sentence where you say the majority is correct unless they disagree with you. (Atleast that's how it reads to me)

#26 Posted by mrtrickster (2307 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

simply said, no.

#27 Posted by Pizawle (1074 posts) - 2 years, 7 months ago - Show Bio

@IrishX said:

" @Pizawle: I wonder if you misunderstand the point here. It's not that anyone is saying these are bad series but I'm merely asking if they are overrated. By definition that does not mean they are bad but possibly "rated to highly". When I hear or see stuff like "greatest series no question" it makes me think overrated. When I see things like "If you don't like it then you just don't understand it" it makes me think overrated. I love the last sentence where you say the majority is correct unless they disagree with you. (At least that's how it reads to me) "

I completely understand. Where do I say they think it is bad?

Those comments are hyperbolic but most people, especially on the internet, speak like that. Perhaps they are overrating it in those cases but it does not really count due to the nature of such a statement.

And that is not what I'm saying at all. I'm saying as long as there is a reasonable judge of quality present, then the majority is probably on to something.

Not really sure why you took every part of my post in such a negative manner

Vertigo

Vertigo is an imprint of DC Comics suggested for mature readers and is a continuity separate from the DC Universe that has included Sandman, Swamp Thing, John Constantine (Hellblazer) and many others. However, nowadays the imprint is mostly focused upon creator-owned material.

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