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Post by DubipR on Sept 24, 2014 8:01:10 GMT -5
ONE week left.Are you ready? 
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 26, 2014 21:11:21 GMT -5
Got my list down to 11. By the end of tonight, I should have my Top 5.
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 26, 2014 22:05:14 GMT -5
Got my Top 5. Just need to write up my explanations (which won't be happening tonight).
Some fun stats:
DC: 2
Marvel: 2
Warren: 1
1970s: 4
1980s: 1
From superhero titles: 1
From horror titles: 3
From non-superhero, non-horror titles: 1
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2014 5:23:17 GMT -5
As I try to prep my list, I find myself really struggling withe definition of horror Shax has outlined....
as it seems for me, the things that form the core of the appeal of a "horror" story are not the terror or morbidity, I tend to like horror despite those things not because of them, and so I find that every story I am considering for this exercise is excluded because it does not fit with this particular definition/requirement for inclusion. So with that in mind, I think I am just going to be an observer on this one, I may comment on others' choices, but I am finding I cannot find stories I like to include on my list for the reasons I am supposed to include them for this event. I mean there is no denying most of Lovecraft's oeuvre is horror, but I don't like them because of the reasons that are being defined here, the central appeal of these stories for me is not the terror and morbidity in them, so in that sense, even Lovecraft adaptations don't qualify for inclusion on my part, and there are some good HPL adaptations I was considering.
So onward with the lists, I look forward to what is put out there, but I will be an onlooker not a participant. Apologies.
-M
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 28, 2014 7:17:46 GMT -5
As I try to prep my list, I find myself really struggling withe definition of horror Shax has outlined.... as it seems for me, the things that form the core of the appeal of a "horror" story are not the terror or morbidity, I tend to like horror despite those things not because of them, and so I find that every story I am considering for this exercise is excluded because it does not fit with this particular definition/requirement for inclusion. So with that in mind, I think I am just going to be an observer on this one, I may comment on others' choices, but I am finding I cannot find stories I like to include on my list for the reasons I am supposed to include them for this event. I mean there is no denying most of Lovecraft's oeuvre is horror, but I don't like them because of the reasons that are being defined here, the central appeal of these stories for me is not the terror and morbidity in them, so in that sense, even Lovecraft adaptations don't qualify for inclusion on my part, and there are some good HPL adaptations I was considering. So onward with the lists, I look forward to what is put out there, but I will be an onlooker not a participant. Apologies. -M I would much rather you implemented your own personal definition than opted not to participate. I guess this begs the question: what then is the appeal of horror to you? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2014 13:11:36 GMT -5
For me the appeal is a number of things-I prefer psychological horror to gore, horror that uses mythology and folklore more than ones that try to gross you out or just plain shock you. In things like Lovecraft, I like the world-building mythology elements, seeing how the horrific is woven into the tapestry of the world, I like seeing how people interact with the unknown and how it reveals things about the character or the human condition, I like the use of visuals or language to set the tone. I prefer creepiness to horror or terror. I like seeing horror that take something familiar and comfortable and twists it into something new and fascinating. Bottom line, I like horror stories that reveal something about the human condition rather than ones that simply try to evoke an emotional or instinctual response. The implications of those revelations unleashed in the power of my own imagination creates a much more horrifying experience than any combination of words/images presented to horrify by the hands of another, no matter how skilled the creator. A slasher film can be morbid and horrific, but I don't find it terrifying and am usually slightly bored because the point is to shock and gross out the audience. Psycho however, while sometimes lumped in the slasher genre, is much more interesting and horrifying to me because of the character of Norman Bates and the implications about the human condition he represents. Jason, Michael Myers, etc. are just big seemingly dumb guys who are invincible, wear masks, and wield sharp objects to me.
So it's not the morbidity that appeals, not the terror that draws me, it's the root causes of those things in the fabric of the world and of humanity that interests me. And like the primitive shaman trying to understand the worlds he exists in, I like sitting at the crossroads of the natural and the supernatural to see what one reveals about the other. Any moment of terror/morbidity is fleeting, it will pass quickly and most will leave little impression, but horror that changes your brainspace, that reveals some new facet, some nugget of truth that then affects the way we see the world around us and within us...that's where the appeal of horror (or of any story no matter what the genre) lies for me. The morbidity and terror are trappings to me, not the core.
-M
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 28, 2014 17:30:42 GMT -5
For me the appeal is a number of things-I prefer psychological horror to gore, horror that uses mythology and folklore more than ones that try to gross you out or just plain shock you. In things like Lovecraft, I like the world-building mythology elements, seeing how the horrific is woven into the tapestry of the world, I like seeing how people interact with the unknown and how it reveals things about the character or the human condition, I like the use of visuals or language to set the tone. I prefer creepiness to horror or terror. I like seeing horror that take something familiar and comfortable and twists it into something new and fascinating. Bottom line, I like horror stories that reveal something about the human condition rather than ones that simply try to evoke an emotional or instinctual response. The implications of those revelations unleashed in the power of my own imagination creates a much more horrifying experience than any combination of words/images presented to horrify by the hands of another, no matter how skilled the creator. A slasher film can be morbid and horrific, but I don't find it terrifying and am usually slightly bored because the point is to shock and gross out the audience. Psycho however, while sometimes lumped in the slasher genre, is much more interesting and horrifying to me because of the character of Norman Bates and the implications about the human condition he represents. Jason, Michael Myers, etc. are just big seemingly dumb guys who are invincible, wear masks, and wield sharp objects to me. So it's not the morbidity that appeals, not the terror that draws me, it's the root causes of those things in the fabric of the world and of humanity that interests me. And like the primitive shaman trying to understand the worlds he exists in, I like sitting at the crossroads of the natural and the supernatural to see what one reveals about the other. Any moment of terror/morbidity is fleeting, it will pass quickly and most will leave little impression, but horror that changes your brainspace, that reveals some new facet, some nugget of truth that then affects the way we see the world around us and within us...that's where the appeal of horror (or of any story no matter what the genre) lies for me. The morbidity and terror are trappings to me, not the core. -M I don't think our personal definitions are that far apart. I appreciate the "morbidity," not because I enjoy being grossed out, but rather because of the rich psychological drama that the imminence of death causes for protagonists. Lovecraft is plenty morbid. He doesn't concern himself with grossness and gore, but each story is about the imminence of death and/or forces that unleash death. In fact, Cool Air, might be the most morbid story I've ever read. "Morbidity" and/or "terror" are the best descriptors I can think of for what delineates a horror story from any other kind of story. What does a horror story contain that a non-horror story does not? Morbidity and/or terror. I've been open to other definitions from day one of posting the guidelines. It's a little late to change them for everyone now, but I invite you to employ your own if it will aid you in making your list. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 29, 2014 14:58:04 GMT -5
TWO MORE DAYSBest get those lists in order 
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2014 20:54:33 GMT -5
I need to read mrp's obviously thoughtful & articulate ruminations above tomorrow at work, when presumably I'll be more awake (& have access to a much better screen) than now.
Otherwise, at this writing I'm at:
DC -- 1
Warren -- 2
Eerie Publications -- 1
Dell -- 1
Four from the '60s, one from the '50s.
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Post by DubipR on Sept 29, 2014 21:25:54 GMT -5
TWO MORE DAYSBest get those lists in order Two more days? I thought the first day was Sunday, the Fifth, for the first week. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 30, 2014 4:46:21 GMT -5
TWO MORE DAYSBest get those lists in order Two more days? I thought the first day was Sunday, the Fifth, for the first week. October 1st. The thread is already up but locked. Been there for a month now  Of course, like the 12 Days of Classic Comics Christmas, you can wait and post later, but you lose some of the fun that way. |
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shaxper
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Post by shaxper on Sept 30, 2014 4:47:57 GMT -5
I think I've read one book from them ever. Now I'm curious! Of course, it must be  |
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Post by thwhtguardian on Sept 30, 2014 10:04:53 GMT -5
For me the appeal is a number of things-I prefer psychological horror to gore, horror that uses mythology and folklore more than ones that try to gross you out or just plain shock you. In things like Lovecraft, I like the world-building mythology elements, seeing how the horrific is woven into the tapestry of the world, I like seeing how people interact with the unknown and how it reveals things about the character or the human condition, I like the use of visuals or language to set the tone. I prefer creepiness to horror or terror. I like seeing horror that take something familiar and comfortable and twists it into something new and fascinating. Bottom line, I like horror stories that reveal something about the human condition rather than ones that simply try to evoke an emotional or instinctual response. The implications of those revelations unleashed in the power of my own imagination creates a much more horrifying experience than any combination of words/images presented to horrify by the hands of another, no matter how skilled the creator. A slasher film can be morbid and horrific, but I don't find it terrifying and am usually slightly bored because the point is to shock and gross out the audience. Psycho however, while sometimes lumped in the slasher genre, is much more interesting and horrifying to me because of the character of Norman Bates and the implications about the human condition he represents. Jason, Michael Myers, etc. are just big seemingly dumb guys who are invincible, wear masks, and wield sharp objects to me. So it's not the morbidity that appeals, not the terror that draws me, it's the root causes of those things in the fabric of the world and of humanity that interests me. And like the primitive shaman trying to understand the worlds he exists in, I like sitting at the crossroads of the natural and the supernatural to see what one reveals about the other. Any moment of terror/morbidity is fleeting, it will pass quickly and most will leave little impression, but horror that changes your brainspace, that reveals some new facet, some nugget of truth that then affects the way we see the world around us and within us...that's where the appeal of horror (or of any story no matter what the genre) lies for me. The morbidity and terror are trappings to me, not the core. -M That's pretty much why I like the horror genre as well, and precisely why I've never enjoyed a single slasher film. |
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Post by shaxper on Sept 30, 2014 12:19:25 GMT -5
That's pretty much why I like the horror genre as well, and precisely why I've never enjoyed a single slasher film. I absolutely enjoy a slasher film IF the protagonist is characterized well. Halloween, Friday the 13th Part II, and the original Nightmare on Elm Street, are textbook examples, to me, of how to make a slasher film legitimate. The protagonists are relatively complex, well defined characters who shows a compelling psychological struggle in reaction to the imminent death pursuing them. They are, at times, brilliantly resourceful, at times entirely impotent with fear, and at others driven by sheer adrenaline. Avoiding death is the ultimate story conflict, and slasher films that truly engage the mind and heart in that struggle are films worth watching. |
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Post by Hoosier X on Sept 30, 2014 14:57:42 GMT -5
I've got seven good candidates for my Top Five, I just need to abandon two of them to get a final list. But I can't remember the name of one of them or what comic it appeared in. (A lot of my collection is in storage at present.)
So maybe somebody can please help me identify it for when I make my list?
It's an EC story, with art by Will Elder, and I think it probably appeared in Tales of the Crypt, Vault of Horror or Haunt of Fear. BUT it might have been in one of the science fiction books, or even in Shock SuspenStories.
It's about a big city police detective investigating a murder where the body was found with no head! The detective finds out that this had been happening all over the country, numerous headless bodies have turned up! And they're all scientists and mathematicians and smart people like that. Just when he thinks he's got it figured - WHAM! - he's knocked unconscious! When he wakes up, he finds ...
Well, I don't want to give it away. I hope that's enough clues for somebody to help me identify this chilling tale.
Thanks!
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