Neither Shaken Nor Stirred: When Characters Change Up Their Style

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

A few days back, I came across this article, Neither Shaken Nor Stirred: When Characters Change Up Their Style and thought it would make for a fun discussion.

The article asks: "Would the Black Dagger Brotherhood be the same without their leathers and their shitkickers? How about Stephanie Plum if she weren’t constantly chowing down on junk food? Or a Jennifer Crusie book without a winsome pooch?

What iconic detail would you hate to see your favorite characters lose?

However, for the life of me, I couldn't think of one thing without which reading my favorite books would become impossible. I mean, if the author handles it skillfully, I wouldn't mind reading about Harry Potter without his trademark scar. What do you think?

[Vanya D.]

I'd pay some bucks to see Edward lose his sparkly skin. Too much sparkle doesn't work for me LOL

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

that's what you'd like for him to lose. what about something you'd hate?

[Irene]

I've only read book one ine the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, but I would probably have given up on it, if there wasn't sex, violence and a lot of cursing. I'm a big fan of the writing style in the book and that's the only reason I'm reading it :)

I've also only read book one in The Hunger Games series, and I would probably not have finished it if (view spoiler)[they wouldn't have died. I mean, I hated those parts of the book, but it wouldn't have been the same without them. (hide spoiler)]
I know that's not about a character, but I hope it's okay :)

[Sheri]

Midu, are you trying to cause trouble? BDB without their leathers and shitkickers? Please!

[S.L.J.]

Casino Royale didn't have gadgets in it but it still worked well. That being said, Bond loosing the Martini or the Aston Martin would be like Tony Stark loosing the Iron Man suit, Buffy without her stake or Adrian Ivashkov without his vices. :P

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

hehehe its just to get you people to comment,Sheri!

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

@Sammy:
Buffy without a stake-blasphemy :-p

[Abby]

Personally I don't think it's the sparkle that makes Edward Cullen Edward Cullen.... I think it's the hair... If Edward Cullen didn't have that copper colored , What a lot of us call sex hair , THEN wouldn't be an Edward Cullen.... He'd just be another random guy that sparkled lol.... And BDB without their shitkickers? I can't even imagine that....

[S.L.J.]

Midu wrote: "@Sammy:
Buffy without a stake-blasphemy :-p"

lol. Superman without the cape? :O

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

that I'd love to see hehe

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

@Irene:
it sure is!

[Stephen]

Let's see:
Batman without his cape (just a billionaire)
Ironman without his suit (just a genius billionaire)
Spiderman without his radioactive spiders (nerd)
Bond without his Walther PPK (he'd be a better shot)
Bond's villains without their speeches (Bond would be dead)
Dirk Pitt without the luck of the Irish (an unsuccessful treasure hunter)

[Stephen]

Edward Cullen without the liberally-applied glitter (still soft)

[S.L.J.]

Bella without her...um...

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

@Sammy:
bad! really naught of you :-p

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

@Stephen:
loving the bit about Bond villains! hehe

[Brandon]

For comic nerds, here's one that happened. Is Superman still Superman without his red trunks (they're now gone in the comics and the upcoming movie)?

[S.L.J.]

In the movie stills he's got the red and blue suit.

Indiana Jones without the whip (he'd still be pretty cool)
Darth Vadar without the voice? (Hal 9000)

[Christine]

I would hate to see Harry Dresden without Bob, Atticus O'Sullivan without Oberon, and Kate Daniels without her attitude.

[Brandon]

Sammy, he's still got the red and blue, but no trunks. Just blue pants. Personally, I'm cool with it, but it is raising a stink in the comics community.

As for Indy, it's the hat that would take a hit, although I agree with you that not much could make him uncool. :)

[Stephen]

Indiana Jones without his gun (a long sword fight / fisticuffs would ensue)

Trivia note: Originally there was some major fight planned but Harrison suggested that he shoot the guy instead and Spielberg / Lucas thought it was brilliant and so they went with that.

[Whitebeard]

Every nuance, attitude, quirk, trait, quality make a character who s/he is. To change anything about a character that doesn't happen as a result of life change such as education, experience, growth and development is bogus. While serial characters do evolve just as we each do, without the little details of character and personality, they would be different "people." Never tamper with anything that doesn't need fixing!

[Whitebeard]

Stephen wrote: "Indiana Jones without his gun (a long sword fight / fisticuffs would ensue)

Trivia note: Originally there was some major fight planned but Harrison suggested that he shoot the guy instead and Spie..."

Actually Ford didn't suggest it, he just did it because he was ill and running a fever. So basically he just said screw it and shot the guy. :)

[Judith]

I can't picture Mercy Thompson without her tattoos. But do they really come up in the novels? I'm thinking and can't remember.

[S.L.J.]

Whitebeard wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Indiana Jones without his gun (a long sword fight / fisticuffs would ensue)

Trivia note: Originally there was some major fight planned but Harrison suggested that he shoot the guy ..."

That was one of the best bits. :P

[Jennifer (random jendsmit)]

hehehe - love this Midu! Great idea :)

With that said... let's see what I can think of - I'm not as good as what's been posted so far, but...

Christian (aka Fifty Shades) without his need for control or his Red Room ;)
Jace (Mortal Instruments) without his snarky remarks or need for action and fighting

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

@Judith:
I don't think they do.

[Judith]

I never thought about it until your topic, but I always picture Mercy with tats because of the covers, but not sure anyone mentions them in books.

[Stephen]

The girl without the dragon tattoo: still weird :)

[Christine]

Judith wrote: "I never thought about it until your topic, but I always picture Mercy with tats because of the covers, but not sure anyone mentions them in books."


I know the paw print on her stomach comes up, because I can remember different characters asking whether it's a wolf or a coyote, and I think her answer is purposely different depending on who's asking.

[Charina]

Mr. Fifty without a Red Room?!!! that's blasphemy lol

[Charina]

Seth (Georgina Kincaid) without his t-shirts.
Mercy Thompson (Mercy Thompson) without her wolf/coyote paw tattoo.
Dimitri (Vampire Academy) without his duster.
Christian (Fifty Shades) without Charlie Tango.
Cat (Night Huntress) without the red hair.
Spade (Night Huntress/ Night Huntress World) without his good manners.
Edward (Twilight) without the hair.

I just can't see those books without it lol.

I also think that taking the glitter off of Edward will do him a big favor.

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

@Christine:
nice eye for the details lol

[S.L.J.]

After seeing The Avengers, there is nothing about the Hulk that should ever be changed. :D

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

I love the new Hulk!

[S.L.J.]

Midu wrote: "I love the new Hulk!"

Me 2. They finally got it right! :D

[Midu, loves Ratatouille]

was watching an interview and Robert says to Mark:
the hulk looks like you!
Marks says:
actually he looks like my dad.
and then Robert says:
he looks like everybody's dad!
hehehehe

[S.L.J.]

LOL. I liked his fight with Loki. :P

Puny God

[S.L.J.]

Oh, and...

Hulk punches Thor

[Marshiee]

I'm starting to think that Edward is actually a man who was punished by the tooth fairy.. Poor guy