Post by shaxper on Oct 20, 2016 10:13:05 GMT -5
The Dormammu Saga (Strange Tales #130-144) was the clearest example of this, as Strange was hopelessly outgunned and dealing with forces to large, so misanthropic, so inevitable, that I often found myself shaking with stress as I read -- how in the world was this going to work itself out by the close, and how did Strange find the energy to keep pressing on, even once his hopes had been entirely thwarted?
To go back to my working definition of horror:
Dr. Strange pleading to the Living Tribunal, a being that could erase him and all of humanity with a sneeze, provides far more of all of this than a screaming girl confronted by a wolf man. This is true horror, even if it abandons the outward trappings, and it makes Strange's feats all the more heroic and sympathetic as a result.
I think your statement that Strange staving off threats more destructive than the human mind could ever hope to comprehend is enough to classify the book as horror is a bit of a stretch. This describes most of the Marvel "cosmic" books (Warlock, Surfer, Annihilation, Infinity etc etc), so IMHO the definition needs to include reference to either the supernatural or occult.
Its probably also the problem I have with your working definition of horror. IMO this definition could easily describe the Punisher series(which for a number of reasons COULD be described as horrific...for those on the receiving end of his attention...or those who despise the character)...Is this character primarily associated with stories and contexts that elicit a sense of oneness with death? Yes, theres gonna be a whole passel a mafia gunsels having a oneness with death real soon. You could even take that statement into the Infinity series, but I guess that Thanos' oneness with Death may well be best left for other forums...ahem.
As I said above I believe there needs to be a supernatural, occult or mystical element to the story to qualify it as "horror", so Michael Myers of Halloween is Horror, as opposed to Dexter, a serial killer, so therefore just a thriller series(IMHO remember).
To be fair, your assertion that Strange qualifies because of the Living Tribunal and the Dormammu story are good enough to satisfy how I would choose a character.
Well, define "supernatural" and "the occult" for me. Are those beings from other dimensions and realities? Part of my definition relies upon tone, and I think that the Lee and Ditko run was overhelmed with a sense of imminent death/destruction/and horrific fear of the unknown. It's not just having an overwhelmingly powerful opponent who seeks to cause death -- it's the presentation of it and the tone provided. I think you could make a mafia story into a horror story, but I've yet to see it done. Most mafia stories are tragedies, not horrors.
