Leave that thing alone!

Leave that thing alone!

Thursday, 09 July 2009 00:00

As I said, I ripped out much of the original comic and replaced it with newer stuff. Now, I’m glad that I have the newer versions of the pages but I wish – how I wish – that I still had all the old ones. They have a charm all of their own. It does remind me of what George Lucas is doing with the original film.

Funny (old) blog post about it here: Stop it George! on Robert and Anna’s blog. I get the impression that if you start analysing the differences between versions you’re headed where madness lies. Someone’s even made a site minutely tracking the differences!

Sometimes it’s a relief to know that you’ve very little time on your hands.

UPDATE 2010

Ok, I've reconsidered this. I hope this isn't because I've turned into a SW nerd over the last year but, yes: it is actually good to know these things. I have a cheap box set of the Original Trilogy which, along with the much-maligned Special Editions includes 3 discs of the original theatrical releases. You know, those SE versions were pretty questionable in all sorts of ways. Not just the poorly executed and largely unnecessary CGI, the stupid muppety additions and dreadful music over the end of 'Jedi' - but even Han Solo shooting Greedo in self-defense. The latter is a famous example.

So yes, I have to say: "thank you nerds of the world". Because if it wasn't for you I might have bought a lesser version of the original film. One that George unsashamedly says will be the only version of the film in a few decades. There's an awful thought. But I don't think the fans will allow it. Oroiginal versions will always be duplicated and much sought after.

Accountants pore over dull columns of figures in minute detail; archivists catalogue and arrange minute items in case anyone ever wants to take them out and learn more from them. And what about historians? The archetypal 'Nerd' does something very similar but there's not really any value placed on their activities - because usually they don't generate any revenue. Hard cash.

Maybe we should look on them as cultural guardians?