Character Origins in Animation

[Spider-Man]

We could never see Uncle Ben get shot because the broadcast standards would not allow it. Venom's origin was altered to ignore any religious and suicidal references. Should creators be able to get the full origin stories from the comics or is it best to have them as safe for the viewing audience as possible?

[MJC]

We could never see Uncle Ben get shot because the broadcast standards would not allow it. Venom's origin was altered to ignore any religious and suicidal references. Should creators be able to get the full origin stories from the comics or is it best to have them as safe for the viewing audience as possible?

I'd rather see the full origins. But it's interesting that Spider-Man:TAS was censored so much when X-men (which ran at the same time) had all kinds of death and religious references.

[Spider-Friends]

Should creators be able to get the full origin stories from the comics or is it best to have them as safe for the viewing audience as possible?If possible, I think it is best to have them work as close to the comics as possible. Spidey's origin on Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends was wonderfully done. It managed to stay within "80s Saturday morning" standards and still convey its message without losing anything.

As far as Venom, his origin was mired in continuity. It had to be changed to introduce him to a new medium. I'm not really a fan of his origin anyway. (Either one of them.) I'd much prefer that Eddie Brock just be some guy walking down the street that the costume jumped on after it couldn't have Spider-Man. (I did like the "cancer reasoning" that Paul Jenkins gave for Eddie's hatred of Spider-Man though.)

[Mini Wolfsbane]

Good topic.I've always kinda wondered this myself.

Well,I think I would enjoy a nice compromise;keep the stories as original as you can with a small amount of censoring if it's necessary.This way everyone is happy.

Like,I think the topic of religion is fine in a cartoon.
(I don't see why it would be censored to begin with;just about everyone has some sort of religion,and it's all around you anyway.In a way it kind of opens up to kids the idea of diversity,too.I mean,is someone really going to be offended if a certain religion is metioned in a cartoon in a positive way ?)

But I can see where the use
of guns and things like suicide should be prohibited.Things like realistic violence (as shown by certain shows)have proven to be imitatable to kids,
and I for one think guns and other stuff is just too traumatic for younger viewers.

Although,depending on the age group (let's say a TVY7 rated one),I think if a character gets hurt and starts to bleed a little-just a little,not gushing everywhere-that's suitable.I don't think the kid's gonna be shocked by seeing a little bleeding in a cartoon.

Then there's also this thing with keeping the romance low-key in some cartoons.

I suppose I can understand that,but I think it is annoying.
Like,G-rated movies can have buckets of romance in them (Or romance can be the intire plot in said movie!),but in a cartoon it's a big no-no.Ooookay.

Edit:

I understand that most kids don't want to see a lot of mushy stuff,but some older audiences like a lot of mushy stuff.

Well,that's all I can think of.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,


We could never see Uncle Ben get shot because the broadcast standards would not allow it.
Well, for what it's worth, I don't think we ever saw Uncle Ben get shot in any of the comics or even the Sam Raimi movie. The point is well taken, though.


Should creators be able to get the full origin stories from the comics or is it best to have them as safe for the viewing audience as possible?
I'm not opposed to changes in an origin story to adjust for different times, different media, different target demographics, or even just personal preference of the creator. The initial drive to get the FF into space was to beat the Commies, after all, which was a huge motivator at the time but which doesn't fly any more unless you're working in a period piece.

Having something get altered to satisfy BS&P may be frustrating, but then again we have BS&P to thank for the unforgettable moment in "Robin's Reckoning" where his parents die. For some heroes, it can work. For others (e.g., the Punisher), any BS&P-safe origin would get watered down to laughability.

There's also the issue of the ever-shifting comics origins. Iron Man's origin migrated from an unnamed war in an Asian country to Gulf War I recently -- which one do you pick?

I'm also unconvinced of the absolute necessity to show origin stories all the time, either. I don't know that Iron Man ever got an origin story in any of his animated incarnations, but I admit I haven't seen anywhere near all the Iron Man cartoons.

-- Ed/Ace

[Stu]

I'm also unconvinced of the absolute necessity to show origin stories all the time, either. I don't know that Iron Man ever got an origin story in any of his animated incarnations, but I admit I haven't seen anywhere near all the Iron Man cartoons.

-- Ed/Ace
The first season had a flashback story in which his computer told him his origin (no, I'm not lying) but it was completly altered from the comics. There wasn't even any mention of a war, or his injuries. Presumably, it never happened. He became Iron Man to escape from The Mandarin, who wanted Stark to build the armour for him. This is a time when that Iron Man site would really come in handy!

In season two, which was a revamped version of season one (and far better for it, less superfriends, more brooding lone Avenger) he was hit by a missle which damaged his heart, and he wore the armour to heal himself from that.

So yeah. I have no idea about the 60's version, but the 90's steered clear of any wars.

[Spider-Man]

So yeah. I have no idea about the 60's version, but the 90's steered clear of any wars. Isn't that the problem the comic book version is finding himself in righ tnow? I remember is was originally the Vietnam war that Stark got injured now but that is obviously out of date now.

Origins in animation aren't really necessary but I would just like to see them animated because sometimes the creators can find some really effective methods to pull off great emotional moments.

[Stu]

Isn't that the problem the comic book version is finding himself in righ tnow? I remember is was originally the Vietnam war that Stark got injured now but that is obviously out of date now.

Origins in animation aren't really necessary but I would just like to see them animated because sometimes the creators can find some really effective methods to pull off great emotional moments.
I believe in current comics, the Vietnam war was changed to the first Desert Storm, but can't recall properly.

The whole timeline thing does cause a little confusion in Spider-Man though. If Peter's parents were really spies in WWII, then they would've been old by the time Peter was born, nevermind if they were still alive in the series. His Uncle Ben most have been a good 80 years old when he did, as he's shown as a 20-30ish year old pre World War II in Six Forgotten Warriors.

...Best to ignore, and slowly walk away...