Nightscrawlers

Nightscrawlers has been dying for some time now, and I am just as guilty as the next fan, and I wanted to know why. Is it because 616 Nightcrawler died back in May? Or are there alternative reasons? Because, frankly, I thought the knowledge of Azazel being in X-Men: First Class would have had this forum a-buzzin, but not a peep! Let's start a dialogue. PLEASE!

I was never heavily involved -- mostly popped on and made smart-alecky comments and popped off, never dd the RPG -- but my Real Life took a turn for the super-busy right about the time that the RPG seemed to implode. My computer or connexion was always too slow for Chat, so I have no idea what the shake-up was about and I don't care to get in the middle of whatever fracas went on. Never got the idea that it had specifically to do with Nighty bitin' the big one, but felt that it had more to do with how various players viewed the game. I could, as often happens, be totally wrong in this perception. The fanfic side of it seemed to have peaked even before I found this marvelous site, which saddens me, because we had so many good entries when people actually had time to do the Challenges. [total OT note: I took the Nightcrawler that Rowena crocheted and put him on the table when I led a workshop at my local writers' group. They got a big kick out of it and referred to him as my mascot. ]

I like the folks here and do miss "seeing" many of the people I count as online friends. Real life is still kinda busy, so instead of checking here 2-3x/daily, it's more like every few days. Haven't even been FaceBooking much with Ang or Neling either, tho I adore both of them.

It's got very little to do with the game. We're just going through a slow period. Believe me, I've been involved with this site since the beginning, through all its various incarnations, for more than 10 years. There're always slow periods.

I do, however, suspect this most recent one is due to his death in 616. I posted the trailer for First Class when it turned up, but there wasn't much interest. You're always more than welcome yourself, Bob, to start a new conversation on First Class. I believe another part of the problem may be that not many people cared for the Azazel storyline in the first place.

...just wait until they bring Kurt back.


[Edited on 18-2-2011 by Slarti]

I have a feeling Slarti is 100% correct on this.

The game is where most of the activity happens now, and I'd have to say in that department we're still bopping. Event he game (in it's own rights) is experiencing a lull however.

Things are busy, social networks are taking over, the economy is shotty. Real life is sort of capturing us away, and I can't say I blame us. Things to do, people to see, stuff to kick in the face.

But to be honest -- it'll be a matter of time until Azazel's appearance in the movie really hits main stream comic-fans. Mostly just Kurt fans and some people keeping track of the film's progress are aware of it. Most people I've spoken to have no idea he is appearing in the film, or even better -- no idea who he even is.

Let it get closer to May, you'll see bigger numbers.

I agree with Slarti. This site has always been a small group of heavily involved users. Chat and game seem to be doing all right, but there is very little life on the forum right now. I think you are rightfully worried there, because it is the forum that brings in new users. And new users we need very hard right now.
I think Marvel's output certainly has something to do with it. I hope they come up with something soon that rekindles interest... And then it is up to us to keep new users interested in the site.
I don't think it is dying though. There have been slow times before, it is a come and go thing.

Yeah, I hadn't posted much regarding Nightcrawler or the X-Men mainly because the death and especially the relative lack of appropriate follow-up left me feeling angry and disappointed. As I've learned more about how little the mainstream "comics" companies actually care about selling quality comic books and as Marvel's already killed off yet another major character as a publicity stunt (that will be reversed in time for the Fantastic 4 movie reboot), I've had less and less good to say about them. But rather than foul this place with my negativity (any more than I already have), I've simply been voicing my complaints on a larger, less personal forum, coming here only in hope of some good news and to keep track of how everyone's doing.

I think once Nightcrawler makes his inevitable return, things will pick up here.

[Edited on 18/2/2011 by Angelique]

I see all that... Because once Nighty stops appearing in new comics, discussion ends. And If you're here, clearly you know the guy. Nightcrawler is one of the more popular X-Men and I know the devotion of the fans here is tangible, so I have no doubt things will pick up. I was just worried that new posts dwindled from a dozen a day to <1. And most in Off-Topic... Thanks all

Well, I've got plenty of threads going in the "Non-NC Comics thread" and you're always welcome to comment on those, see if you can stir some discussion.

Only I don't read comics anymore... So I'd sound like a total n00b

Well, I think you made our point for us right there.

I'd be offended if I weren't so guilty

Bamfing_Bob wrote:Only I don't read comics anymore... So I'd sound like a total n00b

Would this be an appropriate time and place for me to shamelessly plug an independent comic or two that a couple of us 'Scrawlers have been writing/pencilling?

This place has been dying for years. It does seem a little deader than usual though. Case in point: this thread is four months old.

I've been hugely busy with research, but if anyone thinks it might help liven this place up a bit, I could put together a writing challenge for the summer. People would have to enter it and review stories, though. Anyone willing?

I think the trend is going toward huge monster sites, not specialized ones like Nightscrawlers. I love this board. I don't want to see it become a total ghost town like a lot of smaller boards are becoming.

Angelique wrote: Would this be an appropriate time and place for me to shamelessly plug an independent comic or two that a couple of us 'Scrawlers have been writing/pencilling?

I'd love to see it! Post away (if that's allowed).

Would like to add, as a long-term member of this board, it really isn't as dead as people are saying it is. There's always quite times in boards, and considering how many other boards die within a couple of years at most...

I'd say it isn't time for the defibs just yet.

And Rowena - I'd love to see more challenges XD

Well, I just "rediscovered" my interest in Kurt, but since he has disappeared from just about every title, this is one of the only places I can find Nightcrawler material. I can only hope he won't be dead too long.

As to the lack of postings, it's not surprising. There really isn't much new when it comes to Kurt. And to be honest, with the economy the way it is, those of us that have jobs are working our fool butts off. Teenagers have sometimes had to get jobs to help their families keep their heads above water. I know some people that have had to cut their budgets and don't have the money for Internet service. More than one of my good internet friends has disappeared from the online world for that reason. It's happening at other places I visit, so it's not just this site that is quiet.

The Drastic Spastic wrote:This place has been dying for years. It does seem a little deader than usual though. Case in point: this thread is four months old.

And trust you to be the one to resurrect it just so you can make a cynical comment.

I agree, Indigo_Lady. Between Kurt's current status as, well, dead, meaning no new discussion on new books, and book sales overall down due to the economy... eh.

But, this site has been around for over 10 years in one form or the other, and it's not going anywhere.

It'll always be here. I just drifted away, like others have done. It happens. I've drifted back again and I'm sure others will as well.

It's the same all over. Even the Marvel site has slowed down a lot.

Still, I should check in more often. I miss everyone.

I thought it was nice to bring this up as a reminder. There has been an influx of new users recently(welcome!), and Marvel is waking up the dead...And voilà, people are posting again. Excellent!
It has always been like this and there have always been quiet and busy times. But there is a core of genuine friendship at the heart of this site that won't die, no matter what. Thanks to you all:)

I remember this site in it's glory days, when we had creators posting on a regular basis and coming into chat with us, when we had upwards of 50 new members a week, when we were crashing servers due to activity, when we planned trips together and this was a home to many. I'm excited to see it move back to that, and happy C reached out to me

Basically ditto to what Nacht said. I first registered here in 2002, so that'll be ten years next year. I remember the crashing servers, the board outages, the creator visits, sulking because I lived in another country and couldn't get in on the trips, getting molested with tentacles my first time in chat....(yeah that was Mikey btw). I'm also happy to have been prodded into returning and hope I can bring stuff to the board again once more.

Hopefully we're on the road to recovery here. I know that a lot of people that had wandered away would pop in from time to time to see if things had picked up and maybe get some stuff going, but with a small population, it's really hard to get things to become self-sustaining conversation.

Message boards are kind of weird. Lots of people posting leads to even more will join in. Few people posting leads to fewer people...and so on.