Unconventional changes that really change nothing, but work

[sebboh]

I was looking at my copy of art spiegelmans Maus and it struck me so stricken that simply changing races of those people who were most involved in the holocaust to animals such as mice, cats, frogs, and dogs completely engrossed me into this book. In case you haven't heard of Maus basically its a comic book style narrative of a holocaust survivor. Except all the jews are mice, cats are germans etc. Heres a pic

Granted the storytelling is extremely interesting and plot astounding with respect I say and many agree the main grabbing point of these books is just the change from people, to animals. None of the drama or facts are lost, just the main character has rather long whiskers now, and it completely worked on me.

Im curious what others may be able to find in how just one change that doesn't effect the plot but makes you completely grabs interest again. Art, music, tv, movies, its all good be creative. Another quick example, Flintstones and the Jetsons. Same exact show but change the dinosaur mobile into a little flying saucer and BAM, ratings up the wazoo.
Also, spellcheck found that Flintstones should be capitalized, thats disturbing on so many levels =P

 

[Melaisis]

I find it... odd when writers and illustrators choose to connote their ideas and stories via animal-human hybrids, rather than one or the other. Sometimes it can, however, be very successful and even more effective than normal. As in the example above where the prey-predator hierarchy of the Jews under German rule is demonstrated literally.. The other main example of good Furry fandom is the Arthur cartoon series - which dealt with serious themes of friendship, loyalty and responsibility of prepubescent kids, but was also smart enough not to take itself too seriously.

As for 'general changes' in other media - I'd say foreign movies such as Run, Lola, Run and Pan's Labyrinth sometimes grab my interest more than a traditionally English one. If the above two were dubbed in English, for instance, I would just write them off as estranged pseudo-fantasies, whereas when they are kept in their native tongue (but with added subtitles) the themes and meaning behind the films become a lot more clearer and easy to interpret than otherwise. That and I convince myself I'm becoming 'cultured' by watching them.

 

[p1ne]

As we all know, it's always a sure bet to take something mundane and make it more EXXTREME. XD Extreme sports, extreme foods, extreme beer, extreme computer games, extreme extremities, and extreme inanity (among many other things) are in fashion currently and show no sign of going out.

 

[Jurassic Rob]

Change is all about perception. Nothing more.