Comments on: Fringe Benefits: Some definitions http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/ The Blog@ Team and prominent comics personalities share what’s on their minds. Sat, 25 May 2013 03:49:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: markus http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/comment-page-1/#comment-82168 markus Thu, 01 Mar 2007 02:56:57 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/#comment-82168 @ Dirk Deppey Jan 9th 2007, under Comics Culture http://www.tcj.com/journalista/?p=264 @ Michael May Agreed, it's just right for what and where it is. @ Dirk Deppey
Jan 9th 2007, under Comics Culture
http://www.tcj.com/journalista/?p=264

@ Michael May
Agreed, it’s just right for what and where it is.

]]> By: Michael May http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/comment-page-1/#comment-82094 Michael May Wed, 28 Feb 2007 22:43:44 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/#comment-82094 <b>"I don’t know who called you on the naming and for what exactly, but if you’re thinking of the Journalista! dig I can’t help feeling your response misses the point."</b> Nah, I wasn't thinking of Dirk. It was something Rich Johnston said, and I certainly didn't take offense at it. It helped me tighten up my definitions, even if they're not the same as yours. I do realize the ridiculousness of suggesting that <i>Hellboy</i> is in the same category as, say, <i>Interiorae</i>, but now we're getting into labels within labels and -- like you said -- for the purpose of this column, I don't want to go that narrow. “I don’t know who called you on the naming and for what exactly, but if you’re thinking of the Journalista! dig I can’t help feeling your response misses the point.”

Nah, I wasn’t thinking of Dirk. It was something Rich Johnston said, and I certainly didn’t take offense at it. It helped me tighten up my definitions, even if they’re not the same as yours.

I do realize the ridiculousness of suggesting that Hellboy is in the same category as, say, Interiorae, but now we’re getting into labels within labels and — like you said — for the purpose of this column, I don’t want to go that narrow.

]]> By: Dirk Deppey http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/comment-page-1/#comment-82089 Dirk Deppey Wed, 28 Feb 2007 22:26:53 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/#comment-82089 Wait -- I took a shot at this column? When was this? I think that "indy" is a foolish term so long as its principal definition is "This book will never feature a Wolverine or Batman guest appearance" -- it's sort of like the record collector who likes <i>both</i> kinds of music, be-bop jazz and the other kind, with "the other kind" being any kind of music that isn't be-bop jazz -- but it's an <i>industry</i> definition, not Mr. May's. Wait — I took a shot at this column? When was this?

I think that “indy” is a foolish term so long as its principal definition is “This book will never feature a Wolverine or Batman guest appearance” — it’s sort of like the record collector who likes both kinds of music, be-bop jazz and the other kind, with “the other kind” being any kind of music that isn’t be-bop jazz — but it’s an industry definition, not Mr. May’s.

]]> By: markus http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/comment-page-1/#comment-82042 markus Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:14:36 +0000 http://blog.newsarama.com/2007/02/28/fringe-benefits-some-definitions/#comment-82042 I don't know who called you on the naming and for what exactly, but if you're thinking of the Journalista! dig I can't help feeling your response misses the point. You are, once again, concerned with the finer subdivisions within "not Marvel & DC, major publisher, distributing predominantly through the Direct Market". To me, that's not fringe, independent, alternative or whatever. Similar to the problem you yourself note with "mainstream" any view that even consideres Dark Horse or Image for alt, indy, fringe status is ridiculously limited IMO. Try "less well known than Avatar" for a rough working definition of what I'd consider alternative. Try "not distributed through the DM or major bookchains" for "independent" ("The Boys" is a wonderful recent example for the limitations of a definition based on creator ownership and production.) Which isn't to say you should change your column. It's great for the venue it's in and the presumed interests of newsarama's readership. Just realise that if your perception of "fringe" starts with Dark Horse you are not progressive or anything. You are the equivalent of mom and pop finding out there's other literary genres than Stephen King and romance novels. Or rather, hardcore Star Wars fans finding out there's other SciFi as well. Both are a long way from truly fringe stuff like obscure South African poets. I don’t know who called you on the naming and for what exactly, but if you’re thinking of the Journalista! dig I can’t help feeling your response misses the point.
You are, once again, concerned with the finer subdivisions within “not Marvel & DC, major publisher, distributing predominantly through the Direct Market”. To me, that’s not fringe, independent, alternative or whatever. Similar to the problem you yourself note with “mainstream” any view that even consideres Dark Horse or Image for alt, indy, fringe status is ridiculously limited IMO. Try “less well known than Avatar” for a rough working definition of what I’d consider alternative. Try “not distributed through the DM or major bookchains” for “independent” (“The Boys” is a wonderful recent example for the limitations of a definition based on creator ownership and production.)

Which isn’t to say you should change your column. It’s great for the venue it’s in and the presumed interests of newsarama’s readership. Just realise that if your perception of “fringe” starts with Dark Horse you are not progressive or anything. You are the equivalent of mom and pop finding out there’s other literary genres than Stephen King and romance novels. Or rather, hardcore Star Wars fans finding out there’s other SciFi as well. Both are a long way from truly fringe stuff like obscure South African poets.

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