Harmony Comes to the Nation - MDHP

[hitnrun017]

The new issue of Myspace Dark Horse Presents is up and features a two page story, written by Jane Espenson with art by Karl Moline, featuring Harmony and Stephen Colbert:

*Harmony Comes to the Nation*

COPYRIGHT DARK HORSE/MYSPACE!

[Rebecca]

OMG It's the Colbert Report! "I call these my Colbert Bumps" LOL

"Yes, I don't see any conflict with that at all." Sounds like they're pounding that hypocrisy home.

[AndrewCrossett]

Dang... that's obviously meant to be funny, but it may be the best look we've gotten yet of the weirdness of the vamps' new popularity.

The general populace knows that they're killers... and knows that they're evil... and the public is nevertheless on their side against the Slayers?

I get that it's social commentary, but it still doesn't make any sense.

And I have to say, I love the fact that it's Stephen Colbert who cuts through the crap and points that out.

[Emmie]

I mean isn't that the point? That the world is full of hypocrisy like this. That's why I can see the world accepting vampires to a certain extent. Because everyone is always lying and the public is confused about what to believe is true. Spin city, folks.

Anyways, enjoyed this piece! Oddly, I felt like Colbert's voice was stronger than Harmony's in this one.

[AndrewCrossett]

Aug 13, 2009 16:41:07 GMT -5 Emmie said:

I mean isn't that the point? That the world is full of hypocrisy like this. That's why I can see the world accepting vampires to a certain extent. Because everyone is always lying and the public is confused about what to believe is true. Spin city, folks.

But if you're going to inject social commentary into your story, you need to make it plausible. Having everyone in the world... almost with 100% unanimity, it seems... accept that vampires are A-OK despite knowing that they're evil murderers by their own admission...

I mean, why would they do so? That's just not the way people work. The far more likely reaction would be blind panic and paranoia against the vampires.

This "popular vampires" thing is the most implausible story element I've ever seen in a Joss Whedon story. I've been mostly successful in telling myself that's just the way it is... accept it, stop questioning it, and I'll be happier.

But it's not always easy.

I just can't spin it as anything other than flawed storytelling.

[jellymoff]

Has Harmony gotten way smarter than she used to be?

[Emmie]

Way smarter or has someone been schooling her on her talking points?

[jellymoff]

Very true, I think its a good bet that there is someone else working with her.

[BlueJay]

Bwahahahahahaha....omigod....so funny!!!!!

Did you guys catch all the metaphors?

"I could sire you Stephen"
"-Wanna see my vamp face?"
"I call these my 'Colbert bumps'."

......XD

[faithswatcher]

Do you need myspace to see this

[BlueJay]

...no.

[faithswatcher]

Then why wont it load

[nickb123]

The site won't load for me either

I wanna see it!!

[Hellbound Hyperion]

Scott Allie said that people were having some trouble. Try this link?: bit.ly/VQcNS

[butters]

still no for me...no fair no fair!

[AndrewCrossett]

Is it all people outside the U.S. who are having trouble seeing it?

I had no trouble loading it from both work and home.

[butters]

Nope U.S. here, but im guessing it must be my work computer, prolly have to wait till im off. Grrr

[butters]

so yeah prolly people outside of the U.S.! =)

[CowboyGuy]

I could rip the images, but I don't know if Dark Horse would be keen on that...exclusive content and all.

I must say that with these two pages, I get a feel for the world state and how the world sees both Slayers and Vampires. With that said I doubt that -everyone- agrees, it's merely the popular thing. This, I believe is a scheme of Twilight as well. Turn the world on Slayers by using public figures to create a bad reputation through popular media.

[vampmogs]

Aug 13, 2009 16:48:31 GMT -5 AndrewCrossett said:

But if you're going to inject social commentary into your story, you need to make it plausible.

Actually, after reading that I'm almost certain Espenson and Whedon read fan forums because Harmony's line how vampires "feed to live" is exactly the kind of defence I've seen people use. I burst out laughing when I read her saying that because I've come across many fans in my time who try and defend vampires using exactly the same reasoning. I think that’s rather scary and combined with the “vampires yay!” trend at the moment (True Blood, Vampire Diaries, Twilight.. heh) it seems all too possible that this could happen.

I enjoyed how Colbert seemed sceptical though and I’m glad they’ve shown that because the story did need it. This particular storyline hasn’t been handled the best and the Predators and Prey arc has been the first bump (for me anyway) in the season 8 road, mostly because it was all tell and very little show.

However, I do find it believable something like this could happen (mostly because of my own personal experiences with some fans and because of the current media) so overall I think it’s a great social commentary.

I also think this is proof Harmony is working for Twilight because whilst she’s always been anti-slayer this is the first we’ve heard of her having an anti-magic agenda. That can’t just be a coincidence.