Should Shadowman play saxophone?

[GammaJosh]

OK, so this may seem like a ridiculous thread title, but I am completely serious.

So far we've had no mention of Jack being a jazz saxophonist whatsoever, but it also hasn't been ruled out. In fact there is either a saxophone or a poster or painting of a saxophone shown in Jack's room in the corner of a panel in issue #1. So not only has it not been ruled out, but they have even made a very tiny nod to the original character's history with the sax, and hinted that Jack is likely a jazz fan at the least.

I would very much like to see Jack turn out to be a *SQUEE*' sax player. To me, the fact that the original version was a musician was one of the coolest and most memorable aspects of the character. No, the sax may not be a cool instrument now in mainstream music or culture, but it wasn't really cool in the early '90s either. I think the character gets a pass since the book is set in New Orleans, and the whole jazz scene fits in with the mysterious vibe of New Orleans nightlife.

Based on Punk Mambo, I'm guessing Peter Milligan may be a big punk fan, and if so it would naturally follow that he probably hates jazz. (Are any two forms of music more antithetical than punk and jazz?) Even so, I say...bring on the sax!

[Elveen]

Yes

[Elveen]

Yes

Or maybe no. Whatever makes the best character.

[ThatDarnCabbage]

Sure, that would be great. How many Valiant characters have talents that don't involving killing or whatever superpowers they have? I would love to see smaller talents like this that don't pertain to the actual story necessarily, just smaller details that add depth to the characters. I feel like the smaller, 4-issue arc structures of most Valiant books tends to leave little time for smaller character details such as this, as they're forced to keep moving along in the story in the fairly short amount of time you have. There is little time for embellishments. I hope they have time for either longer arcs with more time for things like this, or for single issue stories that can focus on stuff like this. Maybe when Valiant is more established, and they can afford to do more issues that are just fun character moments that don't drive arcs to the next big hook. Marvel, I feel, is able to do that, and I hope Valiant can do it too.

[GammaJosh]

I would love to see smaller talents like this that don't pertain to the actual story necessarily, just smaller details that add depth to the characters.

YES! My favorite part of any old Claremont X-Men issue is when they're hanging around the mansion or in town and you get to know a little bit more about the characters' personalities. It may sound boring, but that's what made me care about the characters' fates. It's hard to really enjoy a book if you don't care about the characters.

[ThatDarnCabbage]

I would love to see smaller talents like this that don't pertain to the actual story necessarily, just smaller details that add depth to the characters.

YES! My favorite part of any old Claremont X-Men issue is when they're hanging around the mansion or in town and you get to know a little bit more about the characters' personalities. It may sound boring, but that's what made me care about the characters' fates. It's hard to really enjoy a book if you don't care about the characters.

Saga does a wonderful job of this, and it's why that book gets me to care about characters quicker then maybe any other series. This past arc had the main characters mostly just hanging out and discussing their future and relaxing after the events of the first two arcs, but when the *SQUEE* began hitting the fan at the end of the arc, it hits that much harder.

[leonmallett]

No. It was an Englehart thing I suspect (look also at Night Man).

I say no sax, keep clear distance between then and now. I love the original run. I want to love this one (and maybe I will when it finally settles down), but right now I think there are more pressing concerns than Jack playing saxophone.

[lorddunlow]

No, the sax may not be a cool instrument now in mainstream music or culture, but it wasn't really cool in the early '90s either.

Shut your mouth! The sax is the coolest instrument ever.

As for the question, my answer is yes.

[Shadowman99]

Nah, I'm with Leonmallet on this one.

I'm all for these character-building mechanics as they of course increase the overall quality of the books.

But I think specifically "Should Jack play sax?" is looking to make a redundant connection between a previously published character and a modern character.

[Magnus9178]

Yes, but not to the extent of the VE1 character. Since the characters are vastly different between VE1 and VEI, I think it would be a nice homage if they threw in something to let you know the current Boniface knew how to play.

In truth playing the sax has no relevance to VEI's Boniface, so it really doesn't matter.

[leonmallett]

Nah, I'm with Leonmallet on this one.

I'm all for these character-building mechanics as they of course increase the overall quality of the books.

But I think specifically "Should Jack play sax?" is looking to make a redundant connection between a previously published character and a modern character.

[Donovan]

Regarding the original question, for my money, it's completely not required. No sax.

[BugsySig]

The thing is, at some point...assuming he is still alive...Jack needs to get a job. Living in New Orleans, it would make sense for him to work at a bar or nightclub that features jazz and other music. I think that would be a way to tie in the musical aspect without the ultra-90s sax playing being involved.

I thought working at the museum was a good spot for him, but I think he said he lost his job and it hasn't been mentioned or resurfaced at all since like the first issue.

We also have seen that Jack is a jazz fan based on the posters and records in his bedroom...but again, does Jack even live anywhere?

These are the little things that build depth for a character (work, home, girlfriend/boyfriend, hobbies). Jack is the only VEI character right now who even has a sense of "average Joe" to him and that hasn't been taken advantage of.

[leonmallett]

The thing is, at some point...assuming he is still alive...Jack needs to get a job. Living in New Orleans, it would make sense for him to work at a bar or nightclub that features jazz and other music. I think that would be a way to tie in the musical aspect without the ultra-90s sax playing being involved.

I thought working at the museum was a good spot for him, but I think he said he lost his job and it hasn't been mentioned or resurfaced at all since like the first issue.

We also have seen that Jack is a jazz fan based on the posters and records in his bedroom...but again, does Jack even live anywhere?

These are the little things that build depth for a character (work, home, girlfriend/boyfriend, hobbies). Jack is the only VEI character right now who even has a sense of "average Joe" to him and that hasn't been taken advantage of.

I'd rather something like the museum job be reinstated if anything; to build on what they have, rather than building ona wholly seperate iteration of the character.

[Tim]

No. The saxophone is my second least favorite instrument, just before bagpipes.

[lorddunlow]

No. The saxophone is my second least favorite instrument, just before bagpipes.

Between this statement and your lack of appreciation for fine film (Young Frankenstein), I deem you unfit to continue operation. You are clearly malfunctioning.

Please report to be dismantled and have your parts reassigned. Failure to comply will result in immediate remote activation of your self-destruct mechanism.


Have a good day, Tim (#1342958)

[lorddunlow]

Formal request to change the title of this thread to "Why can't Shadowman be black and play the saxophone?"

(for those of you new to the board: Context for the above joke)

[Chiclo]

No, the sax may not be a cool instrument now in mainstream music or culture, but it wasn't really cool in the early '90s either.

Shut your mouth! The sax is the coolest instrument ever.

As for the question, my answer is yes.

I would disagree but my treasured acquaintance Dr. Saxtrum agrees with you.

[Phoenix8008]

I wouldn't be opposed to the new Jack playing sax, but I'm not bothered that he doesn't either.

[Brother Darque]

he should play a lute.

[hunter_peterson]

I don't think it's necessary for him to actively play the sax, but jazz should be involved somehow. Him working at a bar or something would make sense. That said, I do miss the museum job he had for five minutes. They really need to build a life up around him... he should basically be Valiant's Spider-Man/Daredevil at this point and he's just missing that personal connection to anyone but Alyssa.

[ThatDarnCabbage]

I don't think it's necessary for him to actively play the sax, but jazz should be involved somehow. Him working at a bar or something would make sense. That said, I do miss the museum job he had for five minutes. They really need to build a life up around him... he should basically be Valiant's Spider-Man/Daredevil at this point and he's just missing that personal connection to anyone but Alyssa.

I think that's part of the the problem with every Valiant arc having to be a marketable "major game-changing arc." None of the Valiant books are allowing for any character to develop a semblance of a status quo, so they never get time for smaller character details like Spider-Man and Daredevil have. It's all about the big story of the arc. Hell, many Marvel stories aren't often split into specifics arcs all the time, they're just telling the ongoing stories of these characters. Valiant books are too segmented by arcs that have to be a big enough deal for them to market. The stories have been great, don't get me wrong, but Saga is filled with smaller character moments that don't necessarily drive the stories forward, in fact, sometimes it can feel like that's most of the series, but when the action comes it's much more impactful, tense, and heartbreaking. Valiant books are too action oriented, so it's easy to get desensitized to the action when there isn't anything else between action sequences except for planning for the next action scene. Valiant books aren't always like this, but a lot of it feels this way.

[Watchtower]

It's not like he can't. Jack's life before he became Shadowman was a near-completely blank slate until Milligan took over. And it's not uncommon for someone to learn how to play an instrument, give it up, and then try to get back into it later in life.

Should he? I'm not gonna cry over it, but personally I think it would be a nice addition, give him a little more uniqueness and definition. Doesn't even have to be the music superstar his vh1 counterpart was.

[jmatt]

Banjo. Shadowman should play the banjo. The banjo originated in Africa and was made popular in the states by early slaves.

Then we can have a story arc ala Devil Went Down to Georgia where he kicks Darque's arse in a contest playing The Deadside Breakdown.

[lorddunlow]

If we're straying from the sax, the only logical choice is the theremin. He could make some creepy-*SQUEE* theremin music.