Happy Atheist Forum

Do they exist?

Sure but most are still about heros, anti-heros, or villians/badguys.

Well what do you expect most stories of any kind have at least a protagonist. Without a central character what would a fictional piece be about? I guess I just don't know what you're looking for. Perhaps if you clarified on what kind of story you're seeking I could be more helpfull.

Yes, they do exist. Enki Bilal's "The Hunting Party" (http://www.bookpalace.com/acatalog/Home ... l_251.html (http://www.bookpalace.com/acatalog/Home_Enki_Bilal_251.html)) is one of my favourites.

Does a graphic novel have to have speech bubbles?
If Green Eggs and Ham was longer, could it be a graphic novel?

Quote from: "Tanker"Without a central character what would a fictional piece be about?

I have written several about events rather than people in an attempt to make something like that. A story with no hero. Only minor success so far though.

Quote from: "Asmodean"

Quote from: "Tanker"Without a central character what would a fictional piece be about?

I have written several about events rather than people in an attempt to make something like that. A story with no hero. Only minor success so far though.

I'm sorry but without an example otherwise I can't imagine a non-documentary, heroless, characterless, story about an event that would be that enjoyable. Do you mind is I ask for a plot line or a story summery to get some idea of what they are about. Are they historical or fiction? Is the "event" somehow a character or protagonist, or antagoniset? I guess I'm just havig trouble visualising without a sample.

Here's one I did a bit of voice work on - The Iron Saint:
http://www.theironsaint.com/ (http://www.theironsaint.com/)
(*** warning! NSFW - Violent content! ***)

Two of the most widely-heralded graphic novels ever.

Watchmen: Okay, it's full of quasi-superheroes but the scope of the story is more about nuclear Armageddon vs. genocide

V for Vendetta: V is not really a superhero. I guess he's kinda like Batman. Sorta.

You may consider these about superheroes. I don't

Here's a graphic novel about the holocaust:
http://www.librarything.com/work/6046473 (http://www.librarything.com/work/6046473)

Here's one about racism and growing up:
http://www.librarything.com/work/1145147 (http://www.librarything.com/work/1145147)

There are lots of graphic novels like that.
You could try some stuff from Japan, too.

On a related note, could I interest you in some visual novels?

Quote from: "Heretical Rants"Here's a graphic novel about the holocaust:
http://www.librarything.com/work/6046473 (http://www.librarything.com/work/6046473)

"Maus," by Art Spiegelman, yes. It's great.

Batman. And as someone already mentioned, no, he's not a superhero.

Quote from: "NaturaLCalamity"Batman. And as someone already mentioned, no, he's not a superhero.

...same basic idea, though.

Quote from: "Heretical Rants"

Quote from: "NaturaLCalamity"Batman. And as someone already mentioned, no, he's not a superhero.

...same basic idea, though.

Batman's not a superhero? The world doesn't make sense anymore!

He's super, he's a hero... What more do you want from him? Laser farts, or acid breath!?

I'd say the Sandman.

BTW, there's an entire medium that's basically graphic novels without superheroes! It's called manga, and you can find some good translations out there if you know where to look.

Ha I shall defeat you Batman haters with some tricks from the creationist playbook.

Batman is a superhero because he was a member of the League of Justice since the league of Justice is an organisation of superheros (and Auqaman) he must therefor be a superhero. It's undiniable logic. You can't argue with it. I don't need proof I have faith. If you do deny it, It's just because you're Hatefull and angry and imoral Anti-batmanist. Stop attacking my beliefs! Why do you anti-Batmaists have to try and destroy the good and pure of the batmanist world? This country was founded on Batmanism if you don't like, leave. LAH LAH LAH LAH I can't hear you LAH LAH LAH.


And there you go undiniable proof Batman is in fact a superhero.

Apparantly they've even made Twilight into a graphic novel. Ugh.

Quote from: "Byronazriel"BTW, there's an entire medium that's basically graphic novels without superheroes! It's called manga, and you can find some good translations out there if you know where to look.

I already suggested "You could try some stuff from Japan, too."

Quote from: "Tanker"I'm sorry but without an example otherwise I can't imagine a non-documentary, heroless, characterless, story about an event that would be that enjoyable. Do you mind is I ask for a plot line or a story summery to get some idea of what they are about. Are they historical or fiction? Is the "event" somehow a character or protagonist, or antagoniset? I guess I'm just havig trouble visualising without a sample.

I attempted both historical and fiction. However, the attempts I've made tend to end up in the same entertainment cathegory as overly thick mah books. I'm not proud of those.

There is one which is a short story (for now) called "The last extinction", taking place in an undefined future. In that story, there are hordes of characters, but not one of them is on his own important enough to be considered a major plot character. I guess it is sort of like splitting a hero fifty ways... It's the most successful attempt so far, but needs work.

Quote from: "Sophus"

Quote from: "Heretical Rants"

Quote from: "NaturaLCalamity"Batman. And as someone already mentioned, no, he's not a superhero.

...same basic idea, though.

Batman's not a superhero? The world doesn't make sense anymore!

Maybe because he does not possess superhuman abilities like Supes and Diana and Hal and Barry. He might be a hero but not a superhero.

Batman can breathe in space.

I think if you can hold your own in a fight with Superman, you're a damn super hero.

Quote from: "Byronazriel"Batman can breathe in space.

He can?! Even without any breathing gadget? I did not know and never observed it. Damn Bruce.

Quote from: "pinkocommie"I think if you can hold your own in a fight with Superman, you're a damn super hero.

Bats uses kryptonite.

LALALLALALALALLAL I still cant hear you LALALALALALALALAL

Let's ask the all knowing Yahoo! answers:

QuoteBatman share more than enough of the commonalities of the fictional characters classified as "superheroes" to claim the pedigree. He wears a costume and keeps his real identity a secret; he has a hidden headquarters; he uses special equipment, ranging from miniaturized devices he keeps in his utility belt to vehicles like the batmobile and the batplane; he has the legal status of a deputy; he associates with other so-called superheroes and is a founding member of the Justice League of America, a team of "superheroes"; he often fights individuals who qualify as super-criminals; he defends common people and will risk his life to protect the common man; he can be summoned by the police through the use of a special signaling device (the "bat signal"); he has special skills which he uses to fight crime, ranging from a mastery of certain fighting skills, to the use of disguises, to the mastery of certain forensic sciences, to a unique understanding of psychology of the criminal mind, and he is a very good detective. Batman also answers to a higher moral code than does the average man.

Interestingly, the term "superhero" has been traced back to its first appearance in a 1942 story by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, when it was used to describe the costumed character "the Guardian," who also had no "super-powers." The term "super" is a coinage of the 1920s, when iit came into vogue as a contraction of the word "superior" and should not be construed as always meaning something beyond the ability of ordinary humans; "super" does not have to be synomymous with "impossible." Note that in the link below, it is clearly stated that "characters need not have actual superhuman powers to be deemed superheroes." Batman is also served up there as an example of one of the world's best known "superheroes," and he is the prototype of scores of costumed heroes who have no superhuman powers. Clearly, Batman qualifies as a "superhero" and opinions to the contrary are exactly that, mere opinions, and may be ignored with a clear conscience.

Saying Batman isn't a super hero is like saying Lex Luthor isn't a super villian. Persoanly I think if superman were real he would disagree with both asertions.