The problem here is quite simple. You’re just not ignorant enough.* :-D

The same is true when comics touch on matters of law or science. Those with more knowledge of or interest in those areas, the science fiction causes science friction and the legal language feels legally lethargic.

Good convo, either way. Thanks.

* – Or I am too ignorant. I think the dialogue is less jarring for most, but maybe not. I certainly haven’t participated in any scientific sampling, lately.

I made it through all of Preacher, a book I don’t particularly like very much, just off the strength of Garth Ennis’s skill at writing characters. I could hear the rhythms and voices clearly, and that sort of thing fascinates me.

It’s like ACK says– screwing up when capturing a voice is jarring. While every reader is not necessarily good at writing dialogue, we all know how people talk. It’s how we pick up on hints and cues and lies and double meanings. When I run into a character who isn’t quite right, it’s like hitting a speed bump at 60mph. There’s a lurch, and then the bottom falls out of the whole works.

I think my least favorite example is another Latina – Tarantula in the Nightwing books. She spouted off “vato” and crap in such a haphazard and inauthentic manner that even if the character hadn’t ended up being ‘bad’ in so many ways, I would have disliked her for being a racial caricature.

I was reminded of this conversation, earlier, when I was reading some freeware literature, online. It was apparently written by someone who speaks a Germanic language. I noticed that s/he would occasionally substitute “oder” for “or.” There were other such Claremontian examples.

I don’t know how much research he did, either. I’m not saying all the examples were great, but I don’t feel their flaws were as bad as some think.