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12:08 am
04/05/2011
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Ian
| | Savannah, GA | |
|  Final Boss | posts 1875 | |
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We've talked about this a little bit, but I thought I'd start a new thread for the topic.
Since we're tagging characters on every book they appear in, Marvel and DC's main cash cows are soon going to have huge lists. While cool for the collector, they will be intimidating and possibly confusing to new readers.
So I've been playing with the idea of more condensed recommendation tags for the primary books for that character. I've been calling them "Essential" in my head, but we should probably change the name to avoid confusion with Marvel's essential line of reprints. I'm up for suggestions.
I've gone through and started tagging one for Spider-Man already. Here's the Essential Spider-Man list (which is already about 200 books shorter than the primary spider-man list!)
I haven't really decided what to do when there are multiple formats (like Masterworks vs. Essentials) but I am trying to include the newer or more complete editions (like the Birth of Venom trade instead of the other two that collect similar material). Let me know what you think!
As for characters that probably need this treatment, I'd say almost all of the ones that are popular enough to be on the front page. Wolverine, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, and so on.
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4:37 am
04/05/2011
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Simon
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|  Old Hat | posts 778 | |
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How about calling them something along the lines of the experts guide to Spiderman, or something along those lines? Seeing as it'll take you time to draw up the lists you may as well label it as something that will get you credit and make it seem more official. "TRO's Pick on Spiderman".
OR if you want to come over all British "The Quintessential Spiderman List"
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8:16 am
04/05/2011
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Ian
| | Savannah, GA | |
| Final Boss | posts 1875 | |
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I like Quintessential, though it's a little hard to type, haha.
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8:42 pm
04/05/2011
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Simon
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| Old Hat | posts 778 | |
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Use it on the more mature content like our favs S. Thing and Constantine then; think of it as a built in age verifier, only people old enough to read these titles can spell it.
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Great idea about doing a Essentials/Best Of list. As a Marvel guy branching into DC, this would be most helpful. I like Simon's idea of personalizing the list name, you are doing the work, might as well take some credit. Something like TRO's Definitive Green Lantern.
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1:51 pm
04/11/2011
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Marc
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|  With Great Power… | posts 566 | |
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If only Marvel hadn't co-opted the word "Essential" for its own use on a ton of books that aren't exactly deserving of the name ("Essential" Dazzler… really?), it would be the perfect name. Oh well… we'll come up with something.
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2:25 pm
04/11/2011
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Simon
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| Old Hat | posts 778 | |
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I really like Definitive, excellent suggestion Peter!
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10:07 pm
04/11/2011
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Ian
| | Savannah, GA | |
| Final Boss | posts 1875 | |
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"TRO's Definitive Green Lantern" doesn't sound bad. Definitive sounds like it's a little self contained, which I don't want to suggest, though. I kind of want these lists to be an entry point, especially because if you read that much Batman, you'll probably end up wanting more of the universe.
But the "TRO's" thing is kind of nice, I hadn't thought of really taking credit – but that also makes it clear it's a curated and subjective.
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11:56 pm
04/11/2011
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Marc
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| With Great Power… | posts 566 | |
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Yeah, "TRO's" sounds a bit like picking and choosing, but I think the point is that the list will include ALL of the character's "main" books (and major events concerning the character that may take place in a different book). I do like "Definitive," though!
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1:51 am
04/12/2011
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Ian
| | Savannah, GA | |
| Final Boss | posts 1875 | |
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hmm
–adjective
1.
most reliable or complete, as of a text, author, criticism, study, or the like: the definitive biography of Andrew Jackson. 2.
serving to define, fix, or specify definitely: to clarify with a definitive statement. 3.
having its fixed and final form; providing a solution or final answer; satisfying all criteria: the definitive treatment for an infection; a definitive answer to a dilemma. 4.
Biology . fully developed or formed; complete.
–noun
5.
a defining or limiting word, as an article, a demonstrative, or the like. It's the Final Form one that makes me feel a little odd about it.
Here are some synonyms:
absolute, actual, categorical, clear-cut, closing, complete, completing, concluding, conclusive, decisive, definite, determining, downright, ending, exhaustive, express, final, finishing, flat out, last, limiting, nailed down, perfect, plain, precise, real, reliable, settling, specific, straight out, terminal, terminating, ultimate, unambiguous
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definite means 'precise and unmistakable,' 'clear, sharply delineated'; definitive means 'final and conclusive,' 'complete, final, ultimate' – so a definitive example is a perfect example |
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5:53 am
04/12/2011
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Simon
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| Old Hat | posts 778 | |
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You could have something like "TRO's Guide to Reading Batman"
Have a little note at the top saying not every title is contained but only the ones you consider vital
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"Guide" would work well. "Best of" is simple but always a classic. Can't use "Ultimate" or "Essential" since they have been used too often. Other synonyms that could work: Vital, Fundamental, Significant.
Or you could always throw it all in:
TRO's Definitive Best of Guide to Reading Fundamentally Significant Green Lantern
That just rolls off the tongue
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1:30 pm
04/12/2011
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Ian
| | Savannah, GA | |
| Final Boss | posts 1875 | |
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I think you've got it right there. I mean, it would probably help with google hits ;)
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2:31 pm
04/12/2011
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Simon
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| Old Hat | posts 778 | |
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As silly as it sounds that is an awesome title, maybe we can save that one for the sillier characters like ambush bug
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4:27 pm
04/12/2011
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Ian
| | Savannah, GA | |
| Final Boss | posts 1875 | |
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hah well, I am trying to come up with a title for the taxonomy – it wouldn't be designed to be customizable for each character.
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4:42 pm
04/12/2011
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Simon
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| Old Hat | posts 778 | |
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How about:
"TRO's Guide to Significant (Batman) Trades"?
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4:45 pm
04/12/2011
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Ian
| | Savannah, GA | |
| Final Boss | posts 1875 | |
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We can subtitle it something like that, and have taxonomy descriptions, but it really would be a good idea to keep the actual tag as short as possible, IE "Essential Spider-Man" – just perhaps not that word. though I suppose Marvel shouldn't have a monopoly on its usage.
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So is the main goal to showcase the trades with the best art and/or writing or is it more to cut down on alot of the superfluous tangents and focus on main continuity regardless of quality?
I can see the benefit of each. I am a continuity whore but with so much out there it might be nice to take out some books that are complete crap unless they are absolutely required reading. And if this is more for new readers they might benefit from a more condensed list.
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5:18 pm
04/12/2011
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Ian
| | Savannah, GA | |
| Final Boss | posts 1875 | |
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The main goal is to have a list for someone who wants to "Collect Spider-Man" but doesn't care about all of his cameos. Like how Batman shows up in almost every book at some point, but it's usually hardly even an appearance. So those would be tagged on the main list, since he's technically there, but someone who just wants to read Batman shouldn't be encouraged to buy a book for one page. Or even one issue out of 5 if it's not important or exciting.
Also, I want to use these lists as sort of suggested collections, IE, if the material is available in several different formats on the main list (Hardcover omnibus, softcover black and white, smaller collections, digests, etc) we just pick our favorite format and put that one on the list. IE, the one that collects it in the best order or whatnot.
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This will be a fun project to follow as more characters get personalized lists. The favorite format alone will help make the lists easier to look at . Add to that cutting out side projects that aren't that important and you will be left with a excellent guide to each character.
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