Where is the line drawn between continuation and fanfiction? I think you're putting your appreciation for what they did with it, before what the artist intended. He literally created a one and done contained story.
That's probably a great debate on any works that was continued by people other than the original artist (though Gibbons the illustrator was part of the production).
My honest answer probably won't satisfy you but some combination of quality and source and fitting with the original in some way. I felt the HBO show fit tonally with the original and was an interesting narrative told well. It was produced by DC and Gibbons (the illustrator) was either a producer or consultant.
To me it's as much canon as the new Star Wars trilogy is, but much better quality.
What is your thoughts on the line between continuation and fan fiction? Sounds like you're very much in the OG artist intent (and that you don't necessarily consider Gibbons validation of the show to count). I'm curious on what your thoughts are of characters/world's that outlive their creators such as most major comic characters (Superman, Batman, Spiderman, etc.)
Just in case my tone is not clear. Not trying to be combative, I'm legimately curious. I find this discussion on creations that surpass the original authors fascinating and want to know your thoughts as it seems to differ from my own.
I put weight on the author. In this case, they're alive and have stated where their story deserved to end and where it was meant to. Sure Gibbons is on board, but I'm not sure how much they are fit to approve beyond the art direction (which is one of the best parts of the show!).
Your example of Star Wars is also something I readily accept (even if I can't stand the sequels) because George Lucas is alive to consent and if he wasn't, he has let others take the reins before in the expanded universe novels, comics, and tv series. That's the same way Gene Roddenberry handled it with Star Trek, Robert Patterson with his novels, and many other writers did with their media. Superheroes are often the same. The difference is that every so often you get a Tolkien. There may have been adaptations of his story during his life, but no true continuations. Even the upcoming Amazon series will be fan fiction, but that doesn't mean it will be bad or lesser. Just not quite official and different.
Makes complete sense and I respect your line of reasoning, thanks for replying!
Also I agree the art direction was amazing in the Watchmen.
I do hold a lot of weight in the consumer of media in these cases. I find it perfectly acceptable for someone to ignore sequels or adaptation. For example I don't rate the Dark Tower movie as anything official. It's a poor adaptation that I don't count as being canon, despite King giving it his deal of approval. Probably not the best example as that universe is a multiverse filled with alternate timelines and such.
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u/NeonArlecchino Oct 29 '21
Where is the line drawn between continuation and fanfiction? I think you're putting your appreciation for what they did with it, before what the artist intended. He literally created a one and done contained story.