Originally Posted by
Raye
Yeah, you often see people actively hoping for a recent story or character development to get flat out erased, or at least it's consequences undone, and Thor gets that a lot, after Aaron. But they'd absolutely cry foul if some part of continuity from 30 years ago that they like was disregarded. It's not just old continuity that counts, and if anything i think recent continuity should count more, since it will obviously have a more immediate impact on the characters. And good stories can arise out of bad ones. Like, Matt Fraction's Thor run was not exactly well regarded, but it did give us Kid Loki, and Kieron Gillen picked up that thread and did great things with it. It's to the point that Gillen gets the credit for Kid Loki a lot of the time, but, no, it was Fraction that introduced him. What I'm saying is, disliking a story is fine, but that doesn't mean it should be erased. It is absolutely possible to move forward from any story in a good way, you don't have to erase it, or it's impact, to do that. I also don't get the desire to see a favorite status quo just made the default, forever. Like, I liked Kid Loki a lot, doesn't mean I want him brought back. His story is done, and bringing him back (for real, not the fakeout from Asgardians of the Galaxy) would diminish that story.
Not saying characters need to be in constant flux, though. If they hit on a status quo that works for a long time, they should not feel obligated to shake it up for the sake of it. Which is kind of the reason i didn't like the ending of AoA, since it seemed to be setting up a 'brand new Loki every 5 years or so!' like Dr Who situation, when I was more interested in following the ongoing journey of just the main character. It all depends on how much story potential a particular status quo has. I think the current one has lots and lots of story potential remaining with a more heroic take, being king of Jotunheim etc. So I am cool with them sticking on this path for a good while yet, though I am hoping for more development, just the gradual kind, rather than an abrupt change. And I do think the role shift can do that, I see the role shift, at least in Loki's case, as more of a recognition of the character development, rather than just abruptly changing his character. giving him a new job doesn't have to alter his personality significantly. Though the responsibilities brought on by that role switch may prompt some further development.