The Importance of Dates

[Kal's Pal]

Hey guys, taking into account that 'comics time' is a heck of a lot slower then 'real time', it is really necessary to begin entries with or have sentences like (for example) 'In May 1946, Superman encountered Lex Luthor' or 'In September 1982, Superman battled the Kryptonite Man'. (For instance, in Superman's world, it is impossible for the dates of issues released to be the same dates in Superman's world). If dates are necessary for some sort of term of reference, shouldn't they just be provided in the brackets that also give the issue number, e.g. (Superman No. 866, July 2012, "How Luthor Got His Groove Back!")

Anyhoo, just a thought!

[Super Monkey]

That's just the way and style of entries that are use in The Great Superman Book. So whoever wrote that is just copying from the book or recreating its style.

[Kal's Pal]

That's just the way and style of entries that are use in The Great Superman Book.

I figured as much. Ah well, I suppose whatever is one's personal preference in writing up the articles - it's fine!

[Super Monkey]

You don't have to if you do not want to, as long as you list your sources and the year those comics were printed

[TELLE]

It does make you think of the difference between comic time and real time --and by extension it makes you think about the ludicrous nature of the Superman universe and the Supermanica itself --kind of fun really.

I think the "Fleisher method" of including dates in the actual plot synopsis is simply a way to break up the monotony of a long entry and the monotony of having every single citation read exactly the same (you get to leave the date out of the parenthetical citation if you mention it in the main text.  It's just a way to shake things up stylistically.  Another method is to introduce a plot synopsis by using the old reliable "In Action Comics #345 ..." gambit.  Not a rigid rule but a useful tool (hey, that rhymes!).

I'm starting to think I must have a sickness of some sort as once upon a time I would have imagined discussing encyclopedia style would be something akin to water-cooler talk around the accounting department.

[Bill 9000]

water-cooler talk around the accounting department.

 :gah:  :wink: