I don't think it separates out quite so cleanly between meta and emotional enjoyment. Since I do both, I emotionally connect to the characters and I enjoy the story for its resonance of meaning.
But I will say that the current storyline is one that makes you increasingly frustrated with Buffy and Angel--which I think is the point. Since everyone else in the story is also seriously frustrated and annoyed with Buffy and Angel.
I will say that I really enjoyed Buffy and Spike's interaction on an emotional level. And I felt the same about the Chain. About issue #28 in Retreat. About Renee's death and Xander's breakdown. I even feel an emotional connection now with the Buffy and Satsu storyline.
Part of the challenge is a negative reaction to the art. The style is very offputting to a lot of people--where as I like it more than half the time. So if as a reader you're busy sneering at what everyone looks like and thinking they aren't the real characters--how would you have an emotional connection to them?
Emotional journeys rely on suspension of disbelief and the art is a huge problem for many of the people who I see disliking the comics. Then you have the OTT moments like Mecha!Dawn and superpowered Willow flying (which she did in the show, but the comics can actually show it so it's more of a big deal now).
As is usually the case, I think the truth of the matter falls somewhere in the middle of the people for and against the comics. I find a lot of overstating one side's case going on--and I say that because I've been doing that on both sides over the past year. If you don't like it, then you must hate it! And if you like it, then you must love it!
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2010-09-03 06:20 pm (UTC)But I will say that the current storyline is one that makes you increasingly frustrated with Buffy and Angel--which I think is the point. Since everyone else in the story is also seriously frustrated and annoyed with Buffy and Angel.
I will say that I really enjoyed Buffy and Spike's interaction on an emotional level. And I felt the same about the Chain. About issue #28 in Retreat. About Renee's death and Xander's breakdown. I even feel an emotional connection now with the Buffy and Satsu storyline.
Part of the challenge is a negative reaction to the art. The style is very offputting to a lot of people--where as I like it more than half the time. So if as a reader you're busy sneering at what everyone looks like and thinking they aren't the real characters--how would you have an emotional connection to them?
Emotional journeys rely on suspension of disbelief and the art is a huge problem for many of the people who I see disliking the comics. Then you have the OTT moments like Mecha!Dawn and superpowered Willow flying (which she did in the show, but the comics can actually show it so it's more of a big deal now).
As is usually the case, I think the truth of the matter falls somewhere in the middle of the people for and against the comics. I find a lot of overstating one side's case going on--and I say that because I've been doing that on both sides over the past year. If you don't like it, then you must hate it! And if you like it, then you must love it!