Archive for January, 2009
Why people are reviewing this item as Superman: The Journey and Superman: Sacrifice, I have no idea, but Superman: Ruin Revealed is a good read, and worth reviewing in its own right as well. (comic book character list)
Why people are reviewing this item as Superman: The Journey and Superman: Sacrifice, I have no idea, but Superman: Ruin Revealed is a good read, and worth reviewing in its own right as well.
“What was the point of Lex Luthor. A human being who dared to challenge a God.”
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
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Raef gardening - IMGP2055.flv
Lanie gardening - MOV01072.flv
Gardening - MVI_1687.flv
Batman and Robin - The Serial Collection (2 discs)
Batman and Robin - The Serial Collection (2 discs)
 Please visit the Things From Another World website for product details…. |
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Retail: $ 24.94 Your Price: $19.95 Buy/More Info |
Batman Begins: Ken Watanabe as Ra’s Al Ghul Mini-Statue
Batman Begins: Ken Watanabe as Ra’s Al Ghul Mini-Statue
 Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight’s emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents’ murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those wh… |
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Retail: $ 29.99 Your Price: $29.99 Buy/More Info |
San Diego Commercial Real Estate
Popularity: 7% [?]
This time, however, it’s just not all that great. Sure, the art is fun to look at, and the characters retain their.character, but the time twisting storylines and over the top actions and.gaint robots just don’t suit Loeb’s writing talents. For great w (prohibit comic books)
This time, however, it’s just not all that great. Sure, the art is fun to look at, and the characters retain their.character, but the time twisting storylines and over the top actions and.gaint robots just don’t suit Loeb’s writing talents. For great w
Superman has a flat blue paint scheme rather than the series 1 metallic paint scheme.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
Friday Distraction: Domitille Collardey
Bart Beaty In Angouleme 2009 — 04
By Bart Beaty, Via Phone
Dateline Mercure. Calmer than normal. You can reach the bar in less than 10 minutes. Where is everyone?
I caught the final exhibition and liked it a lot. The Flemmish showcased a ton of new artists in innovative ways. I went to buy some of their books, but many were already sold out. One great thing about Angou is the way entire scenes can come into focus, as this one did. Their party got lukewarm reviews though. No rival to the Finnish blowout of years past.
No clear consensus for book of the year yet. Maybe Winshluss’ Pinocchio, which would also get most desired derivative toy.
I talked with Ruppert and Mulot, and it’s true — their show has come under criticism from the crew at Artemisia.
The good mood persists. Everyone is thinking that this is another really good festival. We drink until dawn and await the arrival of the crowds…
*****
Bonus: Photo by Charles Orr of our man Bart at Ruppert and Mulot’s controversial “maison close.”
Bart Beaty In Angouleme 2009 — 03
By Bart Beaty, Via Phone
It’s sunny and warm in Angouleme today, so the streets are more crowded than the tents. Which is crazy, because the tents are packed. I saw more than 50 people in line to meet Regis Loisel five minutes after the tent opened. How do they move so fast?
I’ve been to all but one of the exhibitions. The manga (Mizuki, Hirata, Nananan) underwhelmed. Dupuy-Berberian and Margerin are well worth the time. Winshluss went all out again. The Bitterkomix has stirred debate about the portrayal of sexually explicit material. I am told that the Ruppert and Mulot was criticized by a feminist arts organization, but I don’t know if it is true.
Hard to get a sense of the Festival as a whole since everyone talks about how nice it is outside. Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson appeared (on video) to announce that the Tintin movie starts filming on Monday. No one seemed to much care, least of all the kids with their manga.
Batman: Return To The Bat Cave
Batman: Return To The Bat Cave
Please visit the Things From Another World website for product details…. |
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Superman: Justice Symbol Logo T-Shirt (M)
Superman: Justice Symbol Logo T-Shirt (M)
 Inspired by the Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwaite series from DC Comics, the new Superman Justice T-Shirt has arrived! Features a larger-version of the classic symbol screenprinted in color on the front of a much-requested, royal blue 100% cotton shirt. The Man of Steel is back in a big wa… |
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Retail: $ 17.95 Your Price: $14.36 Buy/More Info |
Robin Hood: The Movie
 The Swashbuckling legend of Robin Hood unfolds in the 12th century when the mighty Normans ruled England with an iron fist…. |
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Retail: $ 14.98 Your Price: $14.98 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 7% [?]
The premise of this story is that Superman lands in Russia during (comic book collection software) the height of the Cold War. Most writers would’ve gone for an easy “Superman as a bad guy” story. Instead, we get a mature and refreshing take on the Man of Steel that surprisingly cha
The premise of this story is that Superman lands in Russia during the height of the Cold War. Most writers would’ve gone for an easy “Superman as a bad guy” story. Instead, we get a mature and refreshing take on the Man of Steel that surprisingly cha
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Creditors try to force Marc Dreier into bankruptcy - CNN Money
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Three creditors, saying they are owed $88.5 million, have filed an involuntary bankruptcy petition for jailed New York lawyer Marc Dreier, attempting to force him into personal bankruptcy. Sheila Gowan, the bankruptcy trustee New York Real Estate
Old Tappan firm helps revitalize stalled projects - NorthJersey.com
Joseph L. DiBernardo has developed a new business niche: helping builders stymied by the current economy rethink and repackage their projects. But before he could create that niche, he first had to recast himself. After working in New York real New Jersey Real Estate
Homes, home in McHenry County Illinois
Homes, home in McHenry County Illinois McHenry Homes and land:McHenry IL, Richmond IL, Wonder Lake IL, Harvard IL, Johnsburg IL If the interest rate and terms are attractive the purchaser may want to assume your current mortgage. …
Superman: Secret Identity TPB
 What’s in a name? Everything, if you share it with the Man of Steel! SUPERMAN: SECRET IDENTITY is a 208-page trade paperback collecting the critically lauded 4-issue Prestige Format miniseries written by Kurt Busiek ( JLA/AVENGERS, ASTRO CIT Y) with stellar art by Stuart Immonen ( SUPERMAN: END OF T… |
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Retail: $ 19.95 Your Price: $19.95 Buy/More Info |
Tales of the Vampires #5
 Joss Whedon wraps up his Tales of the Vampires series, finally revealing the truth behind the young Watchers’ training program and their introduction to their ancient vampire tutor. Brett Matthews ( Spiderman/Wolverine ) returns with a story of Buffy’s favorite vampire-Angel…. |
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Retail: $ 2.99 Your Price: $2.99 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 8% [?]
I cant say that i care much for the art in this third book, (actual comic book art) but i totally dig the story. It is engaging , while at the same time filled with mystery and jaw dropping scenes. Overall, i like this book for the story, but feel that the art should have been d
I cant say that i care much for the art in this third book, but i totally dig the story. It is engaging , while at the same time filled with mystery and jaw dropping scenes. Overall, i like this book for the story, but feel that the art should have been d
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
Laura Hudson
‘
s Best Comics Of 2008
Laura Hudson, a frequent contributor to PWCW and a driving forced behind the winding-down Comic Foundry, gave Daily Cross Hatch a list of five best works from 2008 for inclusion in their year-end, best-of round-up. They were:
1. Too Cool to Be Forgotten, Alex Robinson
2. Capacity, Theo Ellsworth
3. Skim, Mariko and Jillian Tamaki
4. Alan’s War, Emmanuel Guibert
5. What It Is, Lynda Barry
Go, Read: Carmine Infantino Sends Criticism-Filled Letter To DC Comics
Bart Beaty In Angouleme 2009 — 01
By Bart Beaty, Via Phone
Angouleme opens this morning looking to dodge its second bullet. Earlier this week a major storm did a lot of damage in Bordeaux, but left Angouleme largely untroubled. Today, France has a train strike that may curtail the arrival of visitors, but, hopefully, only for today. Weather forecasts are promising and the general mood is good.
The Dupuy-Berberian exhibition opened yesterday to the press and is a real stunner with almost 300 pieces, sculptures, artifacts and an enormous sculptural machine that has to be seen to be believed.
So far everything seems to be going great.
Man, Watterson Drew Great Little Kids
His designs were odd in that his characters had almost muppet-simple faces. He did a lot with body language. Use your scrolling to take in the interaction between Susie Derkins and Calvin without reading the word balloons. What fun.
Flash: Zoom Symbol T-Shirt (XL)
Flash: Zoom Symbol T-Shirt (XL)
 The past, present and future all come together with this new, yet previously released Zoom Symbol T-Shirt. Features the reversed Flash symbol screenprinted in black and red on the front of a yellow 100% cotton shirt. Eobard Thawne, Professor Zoom, The Reverse Flash, Hunter Zolomon and Zoom…have al… |
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Retail: $ 17.95 Your Price: $14.36 Buy/More Info |
Action Comics #834
 Once upon a time, the Queen of Fables unleashed Kryptonian nightmares on the people of Metropolis and she would not stop until Superman was hers. Will the Man of Steel live happily ever after - or not at all?… |
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Retail: $ 2.50 Your Price: $2.50 Buy/More Info |
Video Flash Card: Division
Please visit the Things From Another World website for product details…. |
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Retail: $ 12.95 Your Price: $10.36 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 6% [?]
All (candy comic book art) in all, a fun read for light or heavy comic book fans.
All in all, a fun read for light or heavy comic book fans.
Lana Lang was pathetic. Her life turned into a wreck because Clark admitted his dual identity? Gimme a break. Just read it it’s in the last chapter and you’ll know what I mean.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
DC Archives - Batman: The Dark Knight Vol. 3 HC
DC Archives - Batman: The Dark Knight Vol. 3 HC
 The Dark Knight faces some of his greatest foes in classic tales of the Golden Age — some never before reprinted — in BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT ARCHIVES Volume 3. This handsome hardcover volume features some surprising tales of Batman and Robin, including a classic holiday tale from 1942! From a sem… |
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Retail: $ 49.95 Your Price: $49.95 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 5% [?]
(Pre order comic books) Jeff Loeb tried to cram too much into these stories. There is no pacing and no build up to the character. Its like he was saying here is the new Supergirl so just accept her. And I have to question the way he handles this story. Why is Superman such a wim
Jeff Loeb tried to cram too much into these stories. There is no pacing and no build up to the character. Its like he was saying here is the new Supergirl so just accept her. And I have to question the way he handles this story. Why is Superman such a wim
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
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Batman: 1:43 Scale 1940’s Batmobile
Batman: 1:43 Scale 1940’s Batmobile
 Live the Batman experience with Corgi’s new line of DC Comics Batman vehicles from past decades. This series of 1:43rd die-cast collectible vehicles with unique action features will be a "must-have" for Batman fans worldwide! This 1:43rd scale 1940’s Batmobile measures approximatel… |
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Retail: $ 9.99 Your Price: $9.99 Buy/More Info |
Cowboy Bebop: Shooting Star Vol. 2 TPB
Cowboy Bebop: Shooting Star Vol. 2 TPB
 The Bebop clan runs into a modern day Robin Hood who has designs on thwarting the taxation practices of a corrupt government. The crew wiggles out of that debacle right into the crossfire of a Dragon Head Syndicate rivalry in which their old friend the Scorpion re-surfaces for a little blackmail and… |
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Retail: $ 9.99 Your Price: $5.99 Buy/More Info |
Batman Justice Symbol T-Shirt (M)
Batman Justice Symbol T-Shirt (M)
 The Dark Knight becomes super-sized on the new Batman Justice T-Shirt. Inspired by the current Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwaite series from DC Comics, the shirt features a larger-version of the classic bat-symbol screen-printed in black on the front of a graphite grey 100% cotton shirt…. |
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Retail: $ 17.99 Your Price: $17.99 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 6% [?]
(Comic book art exhibit) I grew up as a fan of Superman, but I never really read the comics. Recently I have gottn back into following the exploits of the Man of Steel, but there was so much I missed. This book has helped explain a lot without me having to go back and buy all t
I grew up as a fan of Superman, but I never really read the comics. Recently I have gottn back into following the exploits of the Man of Steel, but there was so much I missed. This book has helped explain a lot without me having to go back and buy all t
This is a very deep story that cuts to the core of Superman in a way that canonized stories cannot. Essentially Superman becomes a metaphor for an all intrusive government. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purcha
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Batman: Hush Vol. 2 TPB
 The 12-part "Hush" storyline–masterfully crafted by comics heavyweights Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee and Scott Williams–topped sales charts for an entire year, thrilling readers and critics alike. Now, the second half of that legendary story arc is collected in Batman: Hush Vol. 2 . This v… |
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Retail: $ 12.99 Your Price: $12.99 Buy/More Info |
DC Direct: DC Pocket Super Heroes Series 2 - Silver Age Kid Flash and Aqualad
DC Direct: DC Pocket Super Heroes Series 2 - Silver Age Kid Flash and Aqualad
 The line of Pocket Super Heroes Series 2 continues! Young Wally West finally had his dream come true when he not only met his idol, the Flash, but also gained the same powers of super-speed to become Kid Flash. A member of an ancient underwater race, Aqualad joined Aquaman and became a founding memb… |
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Retail: $ 9.95 Your Price: $9.95 Buy/More Info |
Peter Parker: Spider-Man Vol. 5 TPB - Senseless Violence
Peter Parker: Spider-Man Vol. 5 TPB - Senseless Violence
 Once again, repercussions from Spider-Man’s battles invade Peter Parker’s personal life. When his childhood friend, Flash Thompson, is left comatose following an encounter with the Green Goblin, Peter is forced to ponder his place in the world. Is he truly helping people by engaging in battle after … |
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Retail: $ 14.99 Your Price: $14.99 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 4% [?]
Like (large print comic books) all the S/B stories, this one features more twists than a bag of pretzels.
Like all the S/B stories, this one features more twists than a bag of pretzels.
There is another Superman movie coming out this year, but we have known for a long time from all of the comic books, television series, and movies that this is an archetypal character. Whether we are talking about one of the Elsewhere comic books where t
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
Justice League: Mega Armor Batman Action Figure
Justice League: Mega Armor Batman Action Figure
 The Justice League was created to uphold justice through out the galaxy. These brave super heroes are always ready to take on evil. The Mega Armor Batman Figure stands approximately 5-inches-tall and comes with Mega Armor. Recommended for ages 4 and up…. |
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Retail: $ 11.99 Your Price: $11.99 Buy/More Info |
The Robin Hood Gang
Please visit the Things From Another World website for product details…. |
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Retail: $ 9.98 Your Price: $7.98 Buy/More Info |
Flash Gordon Conquers Universe Vol. 2
Flash Gordon Conquers Universe Vol. 2
Please visit the Things From Another World website for product details…. |
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Retail: $ 6.98 Your Price: $5.58 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 5% [?]
There are few characters in literature more quintessentially American than Superman and (derp comic book prices) few more difficult to write. Just compare the number of five star Batman stories with the number for Superman. The problem is trying to come up with a compelling story
There are few characters in literature more quintessentially American than Superman and few more difficult to write. Just compare the number of five star Batman stories with the number for Superman. The problem is trying to come up with a compelling story
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
Brandell@TexasHomes2PercentRebate.com
Batman: Shaped Tin Tote
 The Batman Shaped Tin Tote features a full-color embossed image of the Dark Knight on the front! Measuring 7-inches-tall by 7 1/2-inches-wide by 2 1/2-inches-deep, this tin tote is a handy way to carry all your bat-gear!… |
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Retail: $ 8.99 Your Price: $8.99 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 6% [?]
And some readers are bothered by Loeb’s shifting between Batman’s and (pitt comic books) Superman’s perspectives throughout a given scene or page with the use of captions.
And some readers are bothered by Loeb’s shifting between Batman’s and Superman’s perspectives throughout a given scene or page with the use of captions.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
Superman Returns Movie Statue: In Flight
Superman Returns Movie Statue: In Flight
 This limited edition hand-painted cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 10-inches tall by 7-inches wide by 7-inches deep and includes a full-color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box. This statue is limited to 2500 pieces…. |
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Retail: $ 150.00 Your Price: $150.00 Buy/More Info |
Teen Titans: Animated Series Action Figure - Super-Deformed Robin
Teen Titans: Animated Series Action Figure - Super-Deformed Robin
 Daring, determined, resourceful. Martial arts, acrobatic speed and a utility belt full of gadgets is all he needs to take you down in a heartbeat! The Robin Action Figure stands approximately 6 inches tall, speaks when you push a button on his base and features bobbin’ action. Recommended for ages 4… |
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Retail: $ 11.99 Your Price: $11.99 Buy/More Info |
Superman: The Dailies Vol. 3 1941-1942 TPB
Superman: The Dailies Vol. 3 1941-1942 TPB
 The last of three handsome trade paperback editions reprinting the classic comic strips featured in the SUPERMAN: THE DAILIES hardcover! Produced by Superman’s creators — writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster — this thrilling volume reprints the strips that originally appeared in daily newspa… |
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Retail: $ 14.95 Your Price: $14.95 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 6% [?]
Flashbacks show us a young Clark befriending Lex, but we see nothing more than that. The rest of the graphic novel is set in the present, where Clark searches for his place in the world while battling the evil Lex Luthor. (1930s marvel comic books) Much is left out that could hav
Flashbacks show us a young Clark befriending Lex, but we see nothing more than that. The rest of the graphic novel is set in the present, where Clark searches for his place in the world while battling the evil Lex Luthor. Much is left out that could hav
Superman has a flat blue paint scheme rather than the series 1 metallic paint scheme.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Skyscrapers near the Pan Pacific
Superman vs. Aliens #1 (of 3)
 He came to earth in a rocket, a strange visitor from another planet. Now, years later, signals from space could be the beginning of a trail to his home planet Krypton. Can anything stop a Man of Steel from discovering his long-lost heritage? Can anything stand between a Superman and that which he lo… |
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Retail: $ 4.95 Your Price: $4.95 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 6% [?]
Jimmy Olsen. I don’t know if it’s just me but I’m tired of the “gosh oh golly, (comic books store ratings) gee willikers, ain’t ever gonna grow up” wide eyed, juvenile Jimmy Olsen in the Superman books. I was hoping Byrne would give the kid some respect and have the common sen
Jimmy Olsen. I don’t know if it’s just me but I’m tired of the “gosh oh golly, gee willikers, ain’t ever gonna grow up” wide eyed, juvenile Jimmy Olsen in the Superman books. I was hoping Byrne would give the kid some respect and have the common sen
If SUPERMAN: DAY OF DOOM a narrative penned by Dan Jurgens, the genius behind “The Death of Superman” storyline should be remembered for anything, it’s in igniting the desire to go back and reread and relive the events of the entire “Death” s
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Batman: Out Of The Shadows
Please visit the Things From Another World website for product details…. |
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Retail: $ 14.96 Your Price: $11.97 Buy/More Info |
Year One: Batman Ras Al Ghul #2
Year One: Batman Ras Al Ghul #2
 Writer Devin Grayson ( Nightwing ) and artists Paul Gulacy and Jimmy Palmiotti ( Catwoman ) conclude the 2-part Prestige Format miniseries delving into the legacy of one of Batman’s greatest foes! Ra’s al Ghul may be dead, but he has set something in motion that from people from dying, and what star… |
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Retail: $ 5.99 Your Price: $5.99 Buy/More Info |
Flash: Dead Heat TPB
 Meet Wally West. The fastest man alive… or so he thought. A new contender for the title has emerged… and with him comes death at near light-speed. His name is Savitar. And at his side is an army of speedsters dedicated to the malevolent will of their master and the destruction of those who would… |
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Retail: $ 14.95 Your Price: $14.95 Buy/More Info |
Missoula mt Commercial Real estate
Popularity: 5% [?]
By all means this series should have worked. It’s John Byrne and it’s in the 1980s. He’s at his peak. I wanted it to work but frankly, this is a terrible (recall comic books) story.
By all means this series should have worked. It’s John Byrne and it’s in the 1980s. He’s at his peak. I wanted it to work but frankly, this is a terrible story.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Batman Japanese Import Wave 3 - Batman Action Figure Gotham’s Guardian Against Crime
Batman Japanese Import Wave 3 - Batman Action Figure Gotham’s Guardian Against Crime
 Manufactured by Japanese toy manufacturer Yamato exclusively for the Japanese toy market, these limited-edition Batman figures are available outside of Asia only under special arrangement with DC Direct! The BATMAN IMPORT COLLECTOR ACTION FIGURE includes a stone dungeon-like diorama base measuring 8… |
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Retail: $ 24.99 Your Price: $24.99 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 5% [?]
(Glenn danzig comic books) I dearly loved Dan Jurgens’ run on the “Superman” comic books he wrote and drew some of my favorite Superman stories of all time, not the least of which was the infamous “Death of Superman” storyline. This is not that storyline, however it’s a
I dearly loved Dan Jurgens’ run on the “Superman” comic books he wrote and drew some of my favorite Superman stories of all time, not the least of which was the infamous “Death of Superman” storyline. This is not that storyline, however it’s a
It’s this sort of superficial investigation that dooms “Red Son” to superficial stabs at political comment, and third rate reimaginings of history that are, frankly, tiresome.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
Brand building-a curtain raiser
… consumers desire and should always identify a property that is unique to that brand.” From … brand building starts with auditing the target market needs, preferences and understanding their perception about … value for brands. Below the line advertising methods, such as, effect of the word of …
Investor buys landmark hotel
… strong naval links, had been on the market since February last year. Trustees of the … updating historical buildings while maintaining their historical value. “We’re not going to change too much,” … building and very attractive.” Mr Suri, a property developer from Loughborough, in Leicestershire, is the …
Seniors heritage: County tax cuts may affect senior centers
… us is vacant and the value of property is going down, down, down. You know … to their 90s who are considered “healthy, independent older adults. This is an indescribably large … or call/write your respective supervisor on the Board of County Supervisors. If you need ad-dresses, …
Robin Hood
Please visit the Things From Another World website for product details…. |
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Retail: $ 29.95 Your Price: $23.96 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 9% [?]
(Comic book icons) Fun read. Intelligent read. Satisfying read. In other words, a very worthwhile take on the Superman character that might make you think, but, more importantly, will keep you entertained.
Fun read. Intelligent read. Satisfying read. In other words, a very worthwhile take on the Superman character that might make you think, but, more importantly, will keep you entertained.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
Gardening - MOV01572.flv
Gardening July 7 2008 - MVI_5153.flv
Emma Gardening Again - Camera028.flv
Superman: Metropolis #6 (of 12)
Superman: Metropolis #6 (of 12)
 Believing it’s really Lena Luthor, the Tech takes human form and leaves the city’s machinery to run uncontrolled. Plus, Jimmy’s falling love with the ghost in the machine…. |
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Retail: $ 2.95 Your Price: $2.95 Buy/More Info |
Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Cat-Woman TPB - nick & dent
Batman/Tarzan: Claws of the Cat-Woman TPB - nick & dent
 Batman. Tarzan. Two orphaned noblemen who have honed their minds and bodies to the peak of human performance. Two fearless warriors who have sworn to protect their respective homelands. Now, a new evil has surfaced, one that will bring these two legendary heroes together for the first time. In a ro… |
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Retail: $ 10.95 Your Price: $5.48 Buy/More Info |
Superman in the Fifties TPB
 The fifties… A decade in which Americans were still reeling from the end of the second World War, and the "American Way" became the way to go. It was a period that would see Superman - the original, quick-tempered, social activist Superman of 1938 - evolve into an icon embodying … |
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Retail: $ 19.95 Your Price: $19.95 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 9% [?]
There are many twists and turns that are easier (comic book cover scans) to follow when the story is collected in a TPB.
There are many twists and turns that are easier to follow when the story is collected in a TPB.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
Batman in the Sixties TPB
 The sixties… a decade of social unrest, rock music, flower power — and the Caped Crusader! It was a decade in which Batman achieved an unparalleled level success in comics and on television. In comics, it was also a period of rapid transition, which saw Batman grow from camp icon to shadowy figur… |
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Retail: $ 19.95 Your Price: $19.95 Buy/More Info |
Batman: Detective No. 27 TPB
 An Elseworlds storyline! In this stunning softcover edition of the original hardcover graphic novel, Bruce Wayne becomes a member of a secret society of detectives to battle the decades-old criminal conspiracy that left him an orphan!… |
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Retail: $ 12.95 Your Price: $12.95 Buy/More Info |
Popularity: 10% [?]
Normally, I prefer the color Archive editions of old DC comics, but I can see the sense in issuing these particular stories stories in black and white. Jimmy Olsen is (artist book comic gallery) fun to read but I would not want to be paying $50 for a hardcover collection of a few
Normally, I prefer the color Archive editions of old DC comics, but I can see the sense in issuing these particular stories stories in black and white. Jimmy Olsen is fun to read but I would not want to be paying $50 for a hardcover collection of a few
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
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How To Run Your Small Business Using An American Express Charge Card
I am a former American Express employee. I worked for the company for eleven years, from 1990 to 2001. I then returned last year for a very short stint (about two months-couldn’t handle it- they h…
Voting Question: credit report?
i need help 8 years ago my boyfrinds mother got a computer on finance in his name now he did sign for it but on the trems his mother paid back the loan she had bad credit and they wouldnt give it to her but beening his mother he trusted her and she did pay for it but not every mounth i sent for his credit report latley and there missed payments ,in arrers theres a w which means written off we never got any staments because he had moved in with me and the bank statments were going to hie mothers the thing is we now want to get a 100% mortgage and we cant get one i want to know is there any way of getting it removed i live in ireland i thught bad credit can only stay a number of years on your report
sorry about the bad spelling the loan is paid off it has a w=element written off it says the balance is o.oo
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I would like to make a note about the previous review which said that there should be more characters in this collection, other than Jimmy (japanese comic book) Olsen. There WILL be a lot more Lois Lane in the next one because what DC is doing in the Superman Family Showcase
I would like to make a note about the previous review which said that there should be more characters in this collection, other than Jimmy Olsen. There WILL be a lot more Lois Lane in the next one because what DC is doing in the Superman Family Showcase
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
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And for some reason Clark seemed like a robot. (comic book movie for 2005) A machine programmed by John Byrne. It’s most likely beause of his awful dialogue and how everything was cliche.
And for some reason Clark seemed like a robot. A machine programmed by John Byrne. It’s most likely beause of his awful dialogue and how everything was cliche.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
CR Holiday Interview #11: Karl Stevens
*****
In some ways I think comics is less prepared these days to focus attention on cartoonists like Karl Stevens. I can certainly imagine him 15-20 years ago having his own name-above-the-title comic book effort through which to serialize his various works on young people and their interactions in and about Boston. That’s not to say that such avenues were financially rewarding in any significant way, only that I can imagine a time when more people in more places interested in comics would have heard of Stevens than have at this point, on the strength of his Xeric-winning periodical from a couple of years ago (Guilty) and a new, little-discussed work from earlier this year supported by Alternative Comics (Whatever).
There are compensating virtues. His work seems to be well-received locally. He just finished a serial with writer Gustavo Turner, and is on the verge of starting a new newspaper comic for 2009. Whatever collects a run of strips bearing the same name done for area alt-weekly consumption before the Turner collaboration. The feature’s haphazard qualities — a joke this week, a character study next week, a meta-fictional portrayal of an artist on deadline the next — seems to me to provide Stevens a much more appropriate vehicle to explore a certain quality of living common to those from about 23-32 than sustained soap opera narrative might allow. I think the thing I like best about Stevens is I have no idea what he’ll be doing five years from now. I can’t tell you why that’s so appealing, but there it is. Stevens was very nice to do this interview in a way that facilitated its almost instantaneous publication. — Tom Spurgeon
*****
TOM SPURGEON: Can I ask what you’re working on right now? Because if I remember right, while Whatever is a collection of your newspaper strip, you were also at one time working on a color graphic novel. Are we still going to see that? Were the color pages in Whatever from that project? Is there a new project?
KARL STEVENS: I was working on a larger color book for a while but have since abandoned it for the time being (Indeed some of the color work in the Whatever collection are from the story). I kept being distracted by problems both personal and professional — partying too much, too many all-nighters trying to meet deadlines and what not. Recently, I feel like I’ve settled into a steadier professional routine.
At the moment I’ve been working on a new weekly comic for the Boston Phoenix. To give you some background I quit working on Whatever last April. I felt I needed to do something different for a while so I asked my writer friend Gustavo Turner if he would be interested in collaborating on something new that was the exact opposite of what I’d been doing. We came up with Succe$$, which was an ongoing melodrama concerning four young businessmen and their start up eco-financing company. There were a lot of topical and obscure popular culture references — Gustavo being what I would call a “natural critic” has a particular knack for that kind of writing — and I drew it in a very traditional black line and flat color style common to comics. We set out to do something surreal and over the top with Steranko undertones.
After a while I started to miss writing alone and in the more personal Whatever style so we decided to end the strip. The last one runs the week of January 1st. The new comic starting the week after will be called Failure and be similar to Whatever in drawing style. The set up is a broken down young painter who moves into a room at his former painting teacher and family’s house in Jamaica Plain — a neighborhood in Boston that’s known for it’s high level of cultural diversity. There will be jokes and have a kind of Curb Your Enthusiam/Peter Bagge tone to it.
I’ve also been working on other strips that relate to Failure that I’m hoping to turn into a larger cohesive book. I would like to do a quarterly 32-page floppy comic or something to serialize it in the meantime. That is if I convince a publisher my work will fit into their line.
SPURGEON: Can you give me the core information on how Whatever was started, if it’s still running, how long it ran, where…? My sense is that it was ongoing by the time you had released the Xeric-winning Guilty, so that there was some overlap there.
STEVENS: Guilty came out before I started working on Whatever. Actually Guilty is the reason Whatever exists. The Phoenix had written an article on the book when it came out which was around the time they were redesigning the paper. The Design Director Kristen Goodfriend — whom I previously worked with doing freelance illustration work for — approached me about doing something that was similar to Guilty but in a weekly format.
SPURGEON: You said in your Comic Book Galaxy interview that you had greatly reduced the amount of time between what you spent on pages for Guilty and what you were doing for the Whatever installments. How were you able to do that? You have what looks like a time-intensive style, how are you able to improve your speed given the demands of that style?
STEVENS: I was able to improve my speed by working smaller. The pages from Guilty were drawn on 10″X15″ boards where as the Whatever pages were drawn 7″X10″ — less space to get kinky with the crosshatching.
SPURGEON: How long does it take you to write? How do you write? Is it full script, an idea, breakdowns…?
STEVENS: It’s a combination of all of those. I, like most people in this game, keep a sketchbook. Usually I sketch out the dialogue first and then do some rough visual breakdowns to give myself and idea of the pace. Then I’ll use that as reference to pose the models — lately though I’ve been forgoing this detail and have been improvising with the camera using the dialogue to see what the situation gives me and choose the best references from there. When I start the final page I write the original dialogue from the notebook outside the frame — sketch in the location and size of the word balloon-and meditate over the wording while penciling in the visuals. More often than not I’ve made up my mind on the final script by the time that’s finished and then proceed to break out the Hunt 102. Only to change my mind with the white out the next day and then poor Kristen needs to photoshop over my dumb spelling/grammar mistakes.
SPURGEON: It’s my understanding having gotten it wrong before — and I’m counting on you to correct me if I’m wrong again — that you do take photos for reference but that’s as far as the use of photos goes. Has that approach pretty much remained the same for you on this project as opposed to the last one?
STEVENS: Yes. I take photos of my models for reference to get that naturalistic look that I get. Let me just say for the record — no matter how absurd it really is — that I don’t trace over the photos on a light table or something. To me that approach makes the realism look stiff and you can always tell when it’s done. I find that if you “eyeball” the thing and draw from observing your line tends to look more fluid and natural. The little mistakes are what give it personality and all that.
SPURGEON: The other question I have about your art is that I remember you saying that when you take photos you’re not picky about the lighting — that this helped make your shots go really quickly. What is it you’re primarily getting from the photos, then, if not things like the way the light strikes the figure you’re shooting?
STEVENS: What I meant by that is I’m aiming to achieve is a natural sense of place. I prefer to caption the natural lighting of a particular environment as opposed to some more controlled. Another effort the make the work look less artificial and thus add to the naturalism. That said I’ve been more interested in starker depictions of light and shade these days.
SPURGEON: There’s an appealing restlessness to Whatever, a move back and forth between presentational modes: telling a story, telling a gag, making an autobiographical point, strips that exist it seems to primarily depict a single scene… was that just a byproduct of how you were working, do strips week in and week out.
STEVENS: I would like to say no that I planned it that way but yes it’s a total byproduct of the deadline. I started out thinking that I wanted to make Whatever a fluid continuity but soon realized that I didn’t know how to do that in a weekly serial correctly. It takes a certain amount of early basic character establishment and simple thematic scores. I feel with the new strip Failure I’m able to do this.
SPURGEON: Did you design the book? It looks like a little book one might find on their parents’ bookshelves that haven’t been touched since 1974… what was your inspiration and idea there?
STEVENS: Ha ha — that’s great! No, my friend Garrett Kramer designed the cover for me. He was fresh out of art school and he emailed me offering his services for any future projects. I liked his approach and asked him to help me with it.
SPURGEON: I think your work can be quite funny. As someone that’s a MAD Magazine fan, and is familiar with how a lot of those artists approached humor, and also with how most humorous artists approach humor comics today, do you think working your fairly detailed, handsome style afford you different opportunities, or make for different obstacles when it comes to telling a joke? I apologize for the clumsiness of that question. Basically: when most people think of a humor cartoonist they don’t think of someone with your style. I wondered if you thought what you do with style was different in any way than the kind of thing a Peter Bagge or a Johnny Ryan is able to do with their respective styles.
STEVENS: Yeah, obviously it’s different — I don’t think the exaggerated facial expressions that Bagge and Ryan excel at would translate well in my style. There’s the problem of what I call ‘over-acting’ in realistically drawn comic strips — I feel like I see it at lot in the Marvel/DC product — the “Alex Ross” effect. Unfortunately that’s a real roadblock for me when writing humor — but at the same time I welcome the challenge. Mad Magazine is interesting — I probably wouldn’t be drawing comics if I hadn’t been exposed to it at an early age. I was always drawn — believe or not — to the Mort Drucker and Angelo Torres TV/Movie parodies the most because of exactly what you’re describing. I found it really fascinating that they were able to pull off those subtle yet realistic looking expressions that worked so well with the dialogue — typed and cold looking as it was. When I compose a funny strip I tend to err on the side of what’s going to be drawn and then try to tune the dialogue and pacing around that. The lighting, facial expression and or environment play the major role in how the dialogue is presented. I guess what I’m trying to get at is there are a million ways to tell a funny joke but you just need to find the right way in the right situation.
SPURGEON: A hometown strip in a well-read publication brings with it a lot of instant feedback — and a level of local notoriety, I’m told. Is there any frustration moving from that world and into this kind of unforgiving national scene with so much work out and odd distribution trying to get noticed in that framework. Because I imagine that you know your work appeals from what you’ve heard back on its serial publication.
STEVENS: I have gotten quite a lot of flattering and excitable feedback from fans of the strip over the years — from all kinds of sane people who read the paper. I remember a friend who works at the Million Year Picnic in Harvard Square telling me about someone coming into the store and asking if they had that book by that guy in the Phoenix saying it’s “a graphic novel but drawn” — probably their first time in a comic shop. This is frustrating to me in the larger international graphic novel market because of my status of doing work that I don’t see anyone else doing at the moment. It seems to make marketing the product difficult for publishers. How can you sell it as comics if it don’t look like comics? I should ask Matt Madden and Jessica Abel about this.
SPURGEON: Something I thought was interesting about your first work is that it set out to explore a specific kind of relationship, whereas Whatever seems to set out to depict a general way of conducting one’s life, a milieu. Is that fair? Have you learned about your relationships and lifestyle choices by making them a part of your comics? Have you been to able to garner another perspective by making art out of things close to your life?
STEVENS: That is fair and correct. Guilty was conceived as a single idea and with Whatever I was and — in its current form of Failure — am intending as a long fake-diary of sorts. Unfortunately my ability to learn from the real life mistakes I’ve drawn that happened is slow moving-like the art style
SPURGEON: There seems to be a conflict in Whatever between regretful memories and the desire to live right there in the moment, which seems to me something really appropriate to explore in comics. Is that a clash that you experience in your own life?
STEVENS: Yes, especially with the forthcoming project of Failure. I’m getting as close as I’ve ever come to exploring the more personal elements of my life in comics memoir.
SPURGEON: How do you think you’ll feel about the life and times depicted or filtered through Whatever ten years from now? What kind of art do you think you’ll be making then?
STEVENS: I’ll probably think I was an idiot that ed off too much but did the best I could in the situation I was in. I imagine I’ll still be making comics about man’s relation to the world in some way. Ultimately though I just hope I get to be better as a draftsman.
*****
* cover to Whatever
* crappy photo by Tom Spurgeon, 2008; this is the only time I saw Stevens at his Stumptown table all day. I had to make it black and white because the photo was so bad his skin was bright pink.
* doesn’t everyone get advice from the floating head of Don Draper? Panel from Succe$$
* a random page of Whatever I happen to like a lot
* random panel from Whatever
* faces and light sources
* a comedic interlude
* I just sort of like this moment
* below half of all artists in the world have some version of this dream at some point
*****
*****
*****
Celebrating The New Year: The Plunder Island Sequence From Thimble Theater
I can’t think of any better way to greet any new year than spending some time with Popeye and the Thimble Theatre Crew
CR Holiday Interview #10: Abhay Khosla
*****
I enjoy Abhay Khosla’s take on comic books so much that for a time I was popping onto message boards he frequents just for the chance to to read what was on his mind. I imagine his writing is aggravating to some, as it utilizes a self-absorbed, stream-of-consciousness style that makes frequent leaps between pop culture references and focuses on text and reviewer in equal measure. I very much like it. His essays for Brian Hibbs’ The Savage Critic(s) are some of the best in comics, print or on-line, and are the best thing going on a site that includes comic book review heavy-hitters Graeme McMillan, Jog and Douglas Wolk. What distinguishes Khosla’s essays beyond their idiosyncratic voice is the quality of his insight, the attentive reading of the work at the foundation of each review, and a sort of non-fussy fearlessness that his writing evinces I think as a result of being so powerfully its own thing. I was sort of stunned Khosla agreed to do a short interview, as I believe he mistrusts a lot of the typical comics community interactions. I’m glad he did, though, and after reading the following I think you will be, too. — Tom Spurgeon
*****
TOM SPURGEON: I swear I won’t ask you too many personal questions, but am I right in thinking that you started to review comics as a student? What led you to start reviewing comics?
ABHAY KHOSLA: Poor social skills? Emotional retardation? Syphilitic dementia? I don’t… Is this really the kind of depressing note you want to start this interview on? What kind of sick game are you playing at, Comics Reporter? “I got a heathen to cry during the holidays. You’re welcome, Baby Jesus.”
When I was a senior in high school, my school opened a time capsule of letters my class had written to ourselves when we were freshmen, that they’d saved for us. And my letter, 3/4ths of it was the usual stuff about friends, family, girls, but the last paragraph was a lengthy, handwritten, carefully worded, dead-serious prediction of what would happen next in the Chris Claremont-Jim Lee Uncanny X-Men. Of course, by senior year, Jim Lee had moved onto the WildC.A.T.S (Covert Action Teams), so really, it was heartbreaking in more than one way.
So, I don’t know how to answer this one honestly. Sure, I’m a guy on the internet with an unhealthy relationship with comic books — how original! But who cares? I always skip these parts of interviews. I don’t care who Sal Buscema took to the prom. Heck, I question the necessity of this entire interview. People don’t tune into this blog to hear me blather on. They tune into this blog to read about the brutal repression of Iranian cartoonists, or to hear what Bart Beaty thinks about L’Association, whatever that is. I wouldn’t know what a L’Association was if the Iranians brutally repressed one onto my face. This interview is going to be a disaster.
SPURGEON: You employ a very sprawling, reference-laden, confessional and frequently humorous style in your reviews. I know this may sound stupid but why that style? Is that just the way you write, the way to write you find most pleasurable, maybe? Is it a useful style? I remember a transition you make in your review of Air #1 to talk about color and it occurred to me that your style really facilitates that kind of serial association.
KHOSLA: I went back and looked at your interview with Tim Hodler last year, the intro to it: “He doesn’t rant, or even vent. What he does is carefully analyze each book in a way where it seems as if he’s come to every comic he talks about with wide-open eyes and a complete lack of agenda or obvious bias.” That made me laugh because Holy Crap, am I the opposite of that. I’m all axes-to-grind, irrational biases, unexplained neuroses, hair-triggers, bizarre hissy-fits. I know that makes some blog-o-readers (?) want to avert their eyes, but I find unpacking those dysfunctions, I don’t know, just kind of funny, so… Wallah: clown show.
It would be dishonest to pretend that I have a rational relationship with comics. I’ve been reading them since the third grade. My relationship with them isn’t mathematically sound.
I just start writing and hope I have fun, hope I make myself laugh, hope I make connections. Alan Moore said something in a Salon review once: “intelligence does not depend on the amount of neurons we have in our brains, it depends on the amount of connections they can make between them.” Chuck Klosterman had a line: “In and of itself, nothing really matters. What matters is that nothing is ever ‘in and of itself.’” Or of course, best of all, there’s the late David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech at Kenyon College, how “the freedom” of an education” is that “you get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn’t.” So, I try to stay mindful of how with any comic book, however insignificant it might be “aesthetically,” there’s still so much to discuss; if nothing else, every single comic book is an artifact of the culture that created it.
Comic creators — sure, there are a few hacks, but most of them are trying their best. Which is really tragic, considering the results, but — but look: they put their thoughts, feelings, biographies, into those books; they try to be original. That’s not a reason to go easy on them, but it’s at least a reason to try to put some elbow-grease into it, to try to look beyond the surface details of plot. Or I was walking by a lingerie store earlier this week, and I noticed a “female” mannequin with unusually large breasts. Like, Anita Ekberg breasts. What was it like for the sculptor of that mannequin? Was that a good day at work where he gave it his all — “Oh good, today I get to watch Andy Sidaris movies for inspiration” — or was that a bad day at work where he half-assed it — “Oh god, today I have to watch Andy Sidaris movies for inspiration”? The answer is I’ll never know because I haven’t walked in his shoes, and I don’t know what his job is like, and it really, really depends which Andy Sidaris movie you watch because they’re not all the same, they’re not all Savage Beach. So, I think there’s a metaphor there, and that metaphor explains why I spent a half-hour staring obsessively at a mannequin’s fiberglass tits, my breath fogging the window.
I fail. All the time. But I guess I have my own personal set of goals.
I guess an argument could be made that as a member of a “model minority” group that places an emphasis on conformity and achievement, my interest in comics (where the “professionals” so often aren’t) and my over-emphasis on vulgar humor is all dimestore rebellion. But I just don’t think about that sort of thing when I sit down to write about the Mighty Thor. When I write about the Mighty Thor, I think “If I were engaged in foreplay with the Mighty Thor, would I pull his hair and then tease his nipples with one of his helmet-feathers, or the other way around?” But that argument could be made, I suppose. By some kind of asshole.
SPURGEON: I was surprised that you committed to writing for Savage Critic(s) at a point at which I thought you weren’t going to take on something like that again. What attracted you to writing for Brian’s site? Are you particularly fond of or sympathetic towards any of the other writers? How closely do you pay attention to the feedback you receive there?
KHOSLA: I guess I was flattered to have my name associated with Jog and Douglas Wolk. Wolk can be entertaining writing about 52, and then turn around and write about Chris Ware just as sharply; great eye for talent, too. I really enjoyed the Tomb of Dracula chapter of his book; I loved that there was a Tomb of Dracula chapter, you know? Jog always makes the things he finds in books seem like they were obvious, like they were sitting there waiting for him. His Jademan Wong piece in particular was tremendous; his review of Josh Simmons’s House was a favorite. He almost persuaded me to like the new issue of Final Crisis, even. Both guys can just — they just can explain , you know? I don’t think I can do that much at all.
Plus, I liked the site before I started writing for it. I always liked how the site was direct, concise, to-the-point. I guess I ended that. I’d never really written proper “reviews” before so… I guess I wanted to see if I could add something unique to that game. I don’t know how it’s gone so far. Some lousy pieces, some okay pieces. So-so.
But sure, I had zero interest in writing anything before that e-mail. You think it might be unhealthy, writing criticism? There’s been study after study lately how the happiest people are the ones who don’t over-think things, the ones who can “get out of their heads.” There was an article in The New Yorker entitled “The Very Bad Review” about the meanest review ever written in history, John Churton Collins’s 1886 review of an Edmond Gosse book. The socially popular Gosse ended up living a happy life supported by his celebrity friends in the literary world, none of whom cared that he was a hack; the socially unpopular Collins ended up socially ostracized, ultimately killing himself. What’s often called for is surrender, but perhaps the critical impulse can often be antithetical to surrender…? I’m not sure. But I guess I’m a little ambivalent about the whole enterprise, to be honest. So far, it’s been okay.
I read all of the feedback. I usually try not to interfere. People got angry at me when I first started, just… for even existing, but that’s died down, those people figured out how to avoid me. That part was so much fun, though. That might have been the best part so far.
SPURGEON: You float a notion in one of your Secret Invasion reviews that you wanted to write about that series in part because of its event status and maybe the enthusiasm that fans seem to feel for that kind of thing would rub off on you in some way. I don’t know how serious you were, but is that true? Do you read things differently now?
KHOSLA: I didn’t want to write about Secret Invasion because I thought I could create a “ha, ha, look how terrible this is” series of essays. That it became that is regrettable. I saw a lot of “critics” and fans online complain about Civil War, which I thought was a crackerjack series. I didn’t feel like the specific virtues I saw in Civil War were being articulated while that series was running. There’s so many reasons to hate multi-title crossovers, that it’s difficult to look beyond that and ask why they work, why the audience responds to them favorably. So, I was hoping to get to present a “defense” of the mainstream with Secret Invasion. While still being realistic that Secret Invasion wasn’t, you know, “important to comics” or whatever, without being one of those Newsarama reviews that make you wonder if the reviewer has ever read, like, an actual book, one without pictures.
None of that worked out. Maybe it wasn’t a realistic goal to begin with, given my nature.
There’s a critique of mainstream comic fans that can be made, but the word I don’t see get thrown around a lot is “envy.” Superhero fans always seem like they’re having a great time. With art comics, the conversations that I tend to see, it’s not as much about actually caring about what happens to the characters who live in the four-corners of the page. It’s more about whether “so-and-so is a genius” or not, aesthetic questions I have no interest in, the cult of creators. I’ve never seen anyone go nuts on the internet over what happened to Crying Asian Man from some Adrian Tomine comic. “I’m going to predict what happens to Crying Asian Man in the next issue of Optic Nerve.” Never seen that. I’ve never seen a Crying Asian Man fan-site, or anyone dressed as Crying Asian Man at a comic convention, or Crying Asian Man slash-fic.
A review can’t effect the sales of something like Secret Invasion, so I know some people question the point of those reviews. But to me, it’s so much fun writing about something people care about so passionately. Part of the fun of those books is that people want to argue about them, that they invite a certain kind of arguing.
I find myself increasingly confused by the contempt people have for mainstream comic fans. There are a few occasions when it’s been justified — the fan reaction to decisions in the Siegel copyright case, say — but there are also times where it seems as though those fans just get taken for granted. DC published a series called Countdown, where DC sold their fans 52 issues of a series under the completely false pretenses that reading that series would somehow increase their appreciation of the Final Crisis crossover. And the Countdown series didn’t do that apparently — DC failed to keep that promise, which to my mind is unmistakably indefensible. It’s an act of naked contempt. But I kept seeing people online turn that around and make the argument that it was the fan’s fault for… even caring, that fans were being too continuity-minded, that fans had been foolish for even having wanted Countdown to begin with. That they’d somehow gotten something they deserved…? I don’t understand it.
Marvel sold a $4 X-Men comic this year that supposedly contained only 16 pages of comics. To me, that’s ghastly. Of course fans can say no, and they don’t. But that, it’s not enough of an excuse. A fandom is what it is, and it behaves how it behaves. Sure, I don’t understand why anyone would tolerate being treated that way, being treated like a sub-human. Especially when there are worthwhile alternatives. But I’m not a part of that fandom — I like the characters, but I’m not invested like a fan is invested. To say that fans being fans, doing things that fans naturally do, that somehow that justifies anything that’s perpetrated on them… I don’t know. I’m tired of that argument.
I don’t think I read things differently. I just know that I’m increasingly apathetic, which is horrible, which is no way to be. But The Man always encourages us to be apathetic in order to control us (also: so that The Man can get away with inventing herpes).
SPURGEON: Speaking of Secret Invasion, you wrote a review where you talk in detail about how the book failed on certain fundamental levels for you. In fact, you compared it to the last major Marvel mega-series Civil War in directly unflattering terms. What do you think happened that caused that particular series to be so different coming on the heels of the more successful outing? I’m willing to agree with you that it’s not enough Phoebe Cates, but I was wondering if you had an alternate explanation.
KHOSLA: Every great series changes at some point in its run. You think you’re reading A, and then it turns out you’re reading B. And that’s a magic trick I think series writer Brian Michael Bendis knows as well as anyone; when he’s on his game, he’s constantly questioning the status quos of his series. But Secret Invasion, for some reason, didn’t do that. From issues #2 to #7 — nothing happened. They spent, what, eight to nine months telling the story of a single day’s events, with nothing happening.
The stakes never got raised. Nothing happened over nine months, nothing at all. Nothing. Nothing at all. At all. Nothing. At all, nothing, at all. Slowly. And the whole time they’re telling fans, “Just wait nine months and then the next crossover will be good. This one is just The Phantom Menace; the next one is the Attack of the Clones.” So, you have to wait for nine months just to get to the “good” crossover, to get to the good stuff. Except Attack of the Clones stunk, too, so what kind of promise is that? And who has the patience to wait nine months for the “good stuff?”
Nothing came after Civil War. That was how fans knew how momentous Civil War was. By following it with nothing, it was like Marvel was saying, “We can’t keep pulling crazy out of our ass! We have pulled every single tiny bit of out of our ass with Civil War. We are plum out of pullable -in-ass. Civil War broke our minds, too.” The big fan complaint about Civil War was that they broke the Marvel Universe; but that’s exactly what I want to see. Because those fractures ultimately revealed the parts of those characters and that “universe” that hadn’t broken, that weren’t easily breakable. Civil War felt like a mile marker, like a moment of geography and shared history for their characters; Secret Invasion just feels like one of Oceania’s wars with Eurasia. You’re not left with a feeling that you’ve witnessed a moment of history for the characters, so much as you’re watching Marvel decay into a state of permanent hysteria. (Well: that’s a little melodramatic, but…)
Arguably, the series played against Bendis’s strengths. I’ve loved his work since forever, I continue to be a fan of his, and I root for his continued success. But part of why I’ve enjoyed his work in the past is that I’ve always gotten the sense that he’s the type of writer who starts with character first, and interrogating character. With Secret Invasion, it was all plot, and no character. You know, good for him for trying to stretch as a writer, but… Look, if sales numbers are to be believed, it succeeded with its intended audience, and that does matter. I don’t want to discount that.
I don’t know, though. The biggest comic company in the country’s highest profile series of the year was about religious fanatics blowing themselves up because their religion tells them they’re entitled to a specific parcel of occupied property, where the heroes tell the religious people that the heroes’ white-skinned God will lead them to victory, where the happy ending was that the Marvel heroes kill all of the religious people and that a religious woman has her head blown off mid-prayer. What were they even trying to do?? What did I even read, Comics Reporter? How was that the ending? It’s such a weird comic book. And comic fans make it stranger because most of them seem to think a one-panel Obama cameo is the only politically charged material in the book. People don’t think mainstream comics might mean things! People think mainstream comic creators are brainless fanboys just because mainstream comic fans are brainless fanboys. It’s a bizarre culture.
But look: does anyone want to hear the opinion of Marvel comic book fans on the Middle East peace process? Me neither times infinity.
SPURGEON: You mention in a couple of your 2008 pieces that you re-read comics in bunches: you read a selection of Silver Age DC books, you read some Steranko-era SHIELD comics and you re-read Jaime Hernandez’s earlier work. How much of your comics reading is comprised of older comics? What is the nature of the curiosity that leads you to re-read books like that?
KHOSLA: The majority of my consumption is old comics. Some are “The Classics.” But other things… So many comics have been forgotten. Sure, most with good reason. Wally Wood’s Total War, say — it’s not going to be part of a Masters of Comic Art gallery show anytime soon. Art Spiegelman didn’t pull out his copies of Total War after 9/11 to feel better about life. Total War isn’t Art with a capital-a.
But I spend most of my time just looking, not reading. Usually, I just want to look at comics, just appreciate their “formal qualities”, for lack of a better term. For that, older comics are a different experience — not necessarily better or worse, but different. Fashions in comics have changed so much, and comics right now are very self-conscious. With older comics, there’s less anxiety. There’s more movement on the page, more panels, less of a cinematic influence, more of a comic strip influence. Total War isn’t art, but it’s fun to look at. Sometimes that’s enough.
I just like seeing where the trail leads. I enjoyed an essay the Mindless Ones blog wrote about Nemesis the Warlock. That essay lead me to looking at old British comics, finding out about things like Hook Jaw, a ’70s British Jaws rip-off. Which made me curious to see how other people handled short form comics, which lead me to, say, Creepy back-issues. Where I found Dave Sim and Russ Heath’s “Shadow of the Axe”, a six-page ax-murder horror comic. Gorgeous comic — okay script from Sim, lovely work by Heath. And that lead to…
SPURGEON: In your review for The Alcoholic you criticize DC/Vertigo for the shoddy way they treat Dean Haspiel’s credit; you also generally mock some of the serious-literary-comic pretension of the project. That said, you were also complimentary of many of the book’s creative aspects. Do you feel your criticisms of The Alcoholic apply to those kind of prestige books in general? How do you feel about the entrance of New York publishing houses into comics publishing?
KHOSLA: Well, Dean Haspiel is probably not minding being part of such a well-received project. But when I was growing up, comic book artists got to be stars. That kind of stopped, outside of art-comics. I’m curious about what changed. I don’t know that it’s isolated to prestige books, though certainly all of the prestige books I’ve seen have been focused on hyping the writers rather than the artists. I couldn’t tell you who drew Sentences but I know MF Grimm was the writer; I only know the name of Pride of Baghdad’s Niko Henrichson because he did a terrific Machine Man comic with my friend Ivan Brandon this year. You know: DC hired Jim Rugg, one of the most energetic and exciting cartoonists around, to draw a book called Plain Janes, about plain-ness and boring-ness. Do I understand that decision? Hell, I’m just a civilian.
But it’s other books, too. I can’t say to a certainty, but it sure seem as though new ongoing mainstream series are predominantly built around writers and their visions, instead of being built around the artists. That premise doesn’t seem to be questioned very often. Comics, animation, both seems to dis-empower the artists even though they’re art-driven media. Does that make sense? Maybe it does. Maybe artists are too crazy. Maybe the real talents are the comic book writers. I don’t know — maybe, it’s something to wonder about, though.
The entrance of publishing houses — I know a few people who are benefiting from that, so perhaps I’m biased. But so far it seems to have lead to new voices, different voices having an outlet in comics? A cartoonist like Lucy Knisley publishing books? Who else would pay for Kazu Kibuishi to create all-ages books? I’m certainly a beneficiary of First Second’s efforts. Is there a controversy on that point I’ve been ignoring? There’s a particular expertise that Fantagraphics and Drawn & Quarterly seem to have that those houses haven’t caught up with yet. But that’s to be expected, no? Setting aside the issues of content, I would at least guess that we all benefit with more publishers, in so far as the total amount of money spent promoting comics and opening up marketing channels, getting magazines to write about comics, etc., is more. It’s a little troubling when you see cartoonists abandon their former publishers for those houses, but it’s not really my place to really opine on that.
I’m suspicious of memoirs but we live in the decade of the fake memoir, let alone blogs, reality television, twitter-ing. I think a certain healthy suspicion is called for by that particular genre.
Do you think those publishers will have much of an impact going forward, though? With the other news in the economy, with the state of the big chain bookstores, with the state of any New York City business at this point, I’m not eager to find out what happens next in that arena — I doubt it will be good news. I don’t know how familiar you were with the track record of the people let go in that last wave of lay-offs, but comics have already been negatively impacted, have already lost people it couldn’t afford to lose. There are certainly times when it’s fortunate to be talking about comics from the sidelines.
SPURGEON: What made you want to do an interview with Ed Laroche as opposed to simply writing about the book? One thing that struck me about that piece is that it had been a decade to two decades since I’d thought of small press, independent comics as a kind of creative correction to mainstream fare. Is there something missing in comics do you think that there are no longer these strong distinctions, that Ed Brubaker is writing Captain America now? Do you feel there’s still an alternative or independent element to art comics and small press books?
KHOSLA: I don’t see self-published comics often anymore, let alone self-published action comics, let alone self-published action comics executed at that level of competence. With Laroche, in particular, I had a greater curiosity that the book existed in the state it existed, than questions invoked by the content itself. Plus: small-press people are the only people who say yes to my interview requests. A couple Big Two creators have said yes this last year, but it’s not surprising when they think on it and withdraw. That’s just good common sense.
As for alternative elements… This is a difficult question to answer because — because I don’t see an “alternative” element to much of the culture right now, even beyond comics. Despite all of the travesties of the last eight years, aside from some interesting bits of culture, here and there, have you seen anything resembling a “bohemia”? Well, I suppose I probably wouldn’t know if a “bohemia” existed; I’m the very definition of a square for any bohemia that’s ever existed.
But the art comics I hear talked about the most right now aren’t alternative in the sense that they’re “questioning the dominant culture.” They’re noise rock things like Powr Mastrs. Or if they’re addressed at the culture, it’s through the prism of identity politics, which… I have a certain, perhaps undeserved disdain for comics that trade on the creator’s minority status.
This isn’t something I’m angry about, though. Editorial cartoons aside, I tend to hate “political” comics — those dopey Vertigo comics, say.
But I still think that “independent comics” (and God only knows what that terms means) serve a function that a mainstream comic can’t, even if the mainstream companies hire people that come from independent comics. Perhaps that belief is delusional. The output of several comic publishers certainly suggests that belief is delusional.
You’re right that the Brubaker-America paradigm presents tougher competition for independent comics. It’s a reason for independent comics to come correct, to be more formally daring, to take advantages of the freedom of independent comics more. But: that’s not the direction things have been going in, is it? I knee-jerk blame the influence of Hollywood, but probably the real reason is something stranger and sadder than that. Who knows?
But… But: yes, Marvel employs more creators from the small press. Mainstream comics used to not be able to go to a certain level of violence or thematic material, on account of the Comics Code, and independent comics used to be where you turned to for those things. Now mainstream comics routinely have heavy-duty violence, dark themes, etc. Mainstream comics are more vulgar now, and independent comics are not only tamer than they used to be, but tamer than mainstream comics.
But I just suspect there’s a difference between vulgarity and provocation. Captain America might be vulgar, but it’s not provocative. It’s not built to be. It’s safe; it’s genetically safe, regardless of the resume of whoever they hire. There are inherent rules to those books. I know when I’m reading American Flagg, and I know when I’m reading Captain America, regardless of who they hire to make Captain America.
And, look: there are still creators out there that do material that — that you can tell the difference. Joe Sacco, say, or Kyle Baker. Kyle Baker’s Iraq War comic Special Forces is political, current, angry, funny, action-packed. It’s not “literary” or “mature” which… What did Kurt Vonnegut say? “Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be said to remedy anything.”
SPURGEON: I liked your comparison of the comics of Manu Larcenet and the Dupuy/Berberian books from a couple years back. I share your high regard for the Dupuy/Berberian material. Why do you think the Monsieur Jean books didn’t hit harder with American audiences. Is it the humor? The tone? Just not enough intersection between comics readers and fans of this kind of material?
KHOSLA: Was that an apt comparison?! I don’t know enough about European comics. I didn’t even know about the Marcinelle school and Brussels school of cartooning until October. Why don’t people mention that more? There used to be rival schools of Belgian cartooning. I love that. I haven’t found out yet if they ever fought to find out whose cartooning was deadlier, but surely that must have happened, right? Is there some way we can ask Bart Beaty if the Marcinelle School and the Brussels School ever battled in a First-to-Bleed Tournament of Belgian Cartooning?
It’s not surprising that the Monsieur Jean books weren’t embraced more. They’re just really, really French. The dominant emotional tone is, what, “grouchy resignation”? The US audience might be a little too adolescent to appreciate that, even fans of art-comics. Or to phrase it another way, maybe US fans demand “bigger” emotions or issues be at stake. Gentle French situational comedies that find humor in the messiness of life? That’s a very specific type of comedy. Character-driven comedies are rare in comics, at least outside of web-based comic-strips. Comic book fans/creators seem to prefer gag comedy.
I simply like how those guys draw, though. You know, guys who can draw funny have a rough road in America, sometimes. Consider how many comic artists are only really embraced when they move on to animation. Jay Stephens, say. Or have you ever read an interview with Jhonen Vasquez? From his Suicide Girls interview: “But even now, with the thing that I have done sort of well for myself in, comics, I’m not exactly held in the highest regard. It’s not a conscious effort on my part either, it’s just the way it is… The Comics Journal would never come near me. They’d come near me if I was unknown, doing terribly and writing a very matter of fact series about my true life experiences making a sandwich.”
Jhonen Vasquez was a success in comics. But, you know, he’s not going to be in photos riding-dirty on a rooftop with Art Spiegelman anytime soon. People don’t respect funny.
SPURGEON: What is it that you found interesting in the video game description in Ganges #2? I thought that was a very good comic that was little discussed. I also feel that Kevin Huizenga is the most important cartoonist to come along since Ware. I don’t expect you to agree with me, but what do you think of his work?
KHOSLA: I found the second half’s description of the first-person shooter more interesting than the formal exercises of the first half (which Kevin Huzienga later reprised in Fight or Run). Video games, especially those from the era of gaming he’s discussing, they work because the viewer projects their imagination onto the textures and simulations of reality presented by the game. Game designers often talk about how the viewer’s imagination fills in the details that they don’t have the rendering power to generate.
Well, : that’s sort-of how comics work too. Comics work because your mind fills in the details. So, what Huzienga’s done is to use the suggestive power of comics to describe the suggestive power of video games. And you don’t really need to have played games to understand that quality of video games, because you read comics, because you’re experiencing the exact same sensation in a different way at that very moment. He’s using the limits of what comics can do to capture the limits of what video games can do. So, I think that’s something, maybe.
Visually, with that sequence, I like how he has the game characters cast shadows. I wonder if it was an intentional choice. Because if I play a videogame, and maybe this is something the current generation of gamers can’t appreciate, but I know it’s never — it’s never the giant spaceship that makes me catch my breath. It’s the way headlights look in the rain in a Grand Theft Auto game. It’s the precise, oddly beautiful rendering of something totally mundane. Is there a word for that? I hope there’s a word for that.
Plus: I just liked the prose of his descriptions of the game. Have you ever read any of Kelly Link’s short stories? She’s a magical realist / fantasy author, and what Huzienga does in Ganges #2 reminds me of how her story “Magic for Beginners” made me feel. By making the game description so fantastic, he makes the reader want to play the game, he makes us want to be in the room with those people — and once readers are vulnerable like that, he has us where he wants us to tell the real story he’s telling in that comic, which is not a fantasy story at all, which is about a specific experience, specific emotions, a specific time & place.
But do I think Huzienga is important? I don’t know how to answer that. I’m not sure what that word means in this context. I don’t think that sort of thinking leads anywhere interesting. I know I’ve been — I know my experience with Huzienga’s work, from Kramers Ergot 5 on, has been the same: I start out just sort of weirdly suspicious of his intentions, and then I grow more and more excited until by the end of the story, I’m wildly enthused. Well, not true of Fight Or Run, but… I don’t know: I always start out suspicious. His primary character’s name is Glenn Ganges, you know…? Glenn Ganges?! It always looks like it’ll be one of those comic where nothing happens, but for me, it’s never that. So much happens in his comics. And it’s hardly a novel observation, but: I’m caught off-guard by the decency of his comics. It’s so easy for someone use their intellect to rip things apart, but with Huzienga, there’s a sense of, ahm… synthesis instead? Is that the right word?
But do I think he’s important? That’s just a weird question. What did you even mean by that? Is it important to you that the cartoonists you read aren’t just pleasurable, but that they’re also important? Huh? How do you like that? The tables have turned, Comics Reporter! Now, the interview-ee has become the interviewer!
SPURGEON: I think it’s different. Most of what I read is for pleasure, I read Kevin’s comics for pleasure. I just happen to think his work is also of a surpassing quality and comes from such a unique place in terms of how it uses the form and to what purposes and its potential to influence other cartoonists that I think he should be paid attention to above and beyond the ability his comics have to give me pleasure.
I agree with much that’s in your recent essays on the cancellation of Blue Beetle, particularly your close reading of the material in terms of the near-inscrutability of some of its plot elements. I know that people read a variety of things into that essay; what would you have them take away if you could narrow it down to one or two ideas? I think I know the answer but I’m not sure. Also, are you sympathetic at all to the notion that was floated by some of those responding that superhero comics being obtuse and weird and completely difficult to understand is something that’s appealing about them?
KHOSLA: I should dodge this question. If people are getting more out of something I wrote than I intended, that’s not something I’m eager to interfere with. I’m pretty darn okay with seeming smarter than I actually am. I wouldn’t be gainfully employed if I wasn’t okay with that.
Let me try this: A common reaction to what I was saying was for fans to defend how much they liked the Blue Beetle character. Which: that’s wonderful. But the series frequently diverged from the book’s core narrative, and there are consequences to that decision. The thinking seems to remain short-term. Temporarily spiking sales with a one-issue crossover with a multi-title crossover is great in the short-term, but how does that play in the long-term? How does it play after a series is canceled, but the character is in a new cartoon and you want to sell trades to the cartoon’s audience? Given DC’s track record with launching new titles, should they be thinking short-term or long-term? And the creators often seem to be as much victims of DC’s “conventional wisdom” as anyone else.
But there are counter-arguments to all of what I just said. For example: DC has attempted stand-alone superhero pieces in the past and had similar failures. That’s the thing, and one reason I tend to ramble on is because I can see those counter-arguments. I hate anything that pretends a situation isn’t nuanced. Politics, relationships, even comics, there are always nuances. One way I’ve disappointed myself this year is I’ve over-emphasized writing about mainstream comics; I haven’t kept a good balance. But mainstream comics to me are fun to write about because… Because even a book like Blue Beetle, there are so many competing desires and goals, so many different masters that book had to serve. It’s tangled.
As for the sympathy question, I’m sympathetic, but I think people making that argument are down-playing the difference in fashions between the comics that we grew up with and comics now. There are profound differences in pacing, in terms of the number of panels on the page, in terms of how pages are laid out, in terms of how flashbacks are presented or expository information is conveyed. Again, not better or worse, but different. I think the absence of editorial footnotes is especially significant. I’m sympathetic but I don’t think they’re comparing apples to apples. “Weird is okay, though. “Weird” will always be in short supply.
SPURGEON: Do you ever hear back from authors like you did from Blue Beetle writer — and generally successful Hollywood TV show maker and scriptwriter — John Rogers after your reviews and essays? Has anyone ever made contact with you in a way that’s memorable? For that matter, how much do you write with an audience in mind?
KHOSLA: I’ve heard back, sure, but there’s no way to answer this question that isn’t either self-aggrandizing or deeply, deeply pathetic. “I made some no-name notice my meager existence, using only my rapier-like crapulence. I’m like the D’artagnan of heads.”
Look: the idea of me debating John Rogers about narrative is, on its face, ing ludicrous. I laugh to think about it. He’s as ridiculously successful as writers get, pretty much. I’m some dope on a blog. On the other hand: you know what? I still kind of stubbornly think I was right about certain things. So any answer to this one will just be even more ridiculous.
Like, in person — creators who recognize my name? I’ve never handled that well once, even (or especially) when it’s a creators whose work I love. You know: I have a certain amount of… embarrassment? About the whole internet thing…? Plus the whole comics thing…? You know, I spend most of my day having to be serious about serious things, so… So: embarrassment.
As for the audience: I put in Easter eggs once into a review, where in the empty space between every word in one particular sentence of this particular review, there were invisible links to a YouTube video of Smokey & The Bandit 2 outtakes. I thought I could go three to four reviews doing that before someone noticed, but it got caught right away. Another review, there was just a photo of Fred Williamson randomly inserted into one of the reviews. Handsome blaxploitation actor Fred Williamson. No one mentioned that, I guess because maybe they thought I was making a point about Fred Williamson…? I wasn’t. I just like Black Caesar. But I think about the audience, sure. Except I think a lot about the audience who watched Andy Kaufman wrestle women.
SPURGEON:A few times this year you pulled out some old comics I think to deflate the notion that some sort of conventional wisdom that comics people have just isn’t supported by the material. Like you pointed to a Mighty Samson story as an example of nonsensical idiocy written for folks with short attention spans, and a Combat Kelly story as an example of eye-opening post-Code cruelty. Do you feel that comics readers have a bizarre take on the way comics used to be that warps the way they read the ones made now?
KHOSLA: Online? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. But do you think the vast majority of comic fans have any sense of the way comics used to be, at all, whatsoever? I don’t know that’s true. For a lot of fans, Marvel Comics’s heyday was the “Age of Apocalypse.” Do you even know what that is?
What’s that saying? “The Golden Age of science fiction is 12 years old.”
SPURGEON: One of the best pieces you wrote last year was on Octopus Pie and Conan. You specifically mention some of the more subtle points of comedic execution. What do you find funny? Who? What do you find funny in Johnny Ryan’s comics, for example, that you think other people might not appreciate or might not value?
KHOSLA: Do you really think there’s something subtle and delicate going on with Johnny Ryan’s comics that the hoi polloi isn’t picking up on? Boss Twat doesn’t really call for a dissertation. But… okay, fine, here is my dissertation on Boss Twat: I tend to love the chain of airtight logic that leads to the absurd conclusion. So, Boss Twat begins with the Duke boys from Dukes Of Hazzard having tied a giant dick to the front of the General Lee, and it ends with the Dukes throwing their own severed penises at a taint on a sassafras tree. But for me, what makes it funny is that there’s a sort of weirdly logical progression between point A and point B. If the Duke Boys tied a giant penis to the hood of their car, then it does obey a sort of mathematics that at some point, sure, they would invariably drive their car penis-first into Boss Twat’s ass. And it is extremely logical that the impact of that would kill Boss Twat, thereby send his severed taint flying onto the limb of a nearby sassafras tree. The premise is bizarre but it’s the intellectual rigor that is applied to that bizarre premise, to me, that makes it funny.
With respect to comedy, what’s been interesting for me these last couple years was realizing how much the comedy I loved owed a debt to comics. For me, the three guys I think the most highly of, of recent times at least, are Albert Brooks, Larry David, and Garry Shandling. Albert Brooks is the godfather of alternative comedy; Larry David arguably perfected the traditional sitcom between Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm; and to me, Shandling is just a giant, one of the all-time best TV comedy creators, a pivotal figure in the history of HBO and thus television, a direct influence on the very best people making comedy right now, a solid stand-up, just a giant.
The first time I saw the Jules Feiffer movie Little Murders, I was immediately convinced that all three of those people had been inspired by Feiffer, owed a debt to Feiffer, to what Feiffer did with that movie and otherwise in a very long and storied career.
Which began with comics. Little Murders is especially reminiscent of the Sick Sick Sick work that was reprinted this year in The Explainers in that its showcase moments are these inspired monologues. People hone in on Donald Sutherland’s monologue, especially, and with good reason, but Vincent Gardenia and Elizabeth Wilson were, for me, jaw-dropping.
Jules Feiffer got his start in comics, found his voice in comics, made a name for himself in comics. Comics can do that. Comics can do that, they can be that place, and that’s worth celebrating.
I think you’re seeing that happening again with Chris Onstad and Achewood. He’s doing some of the best comedy anyone’s doing anywhere, and how else could he have done it but as a webcomic? Who else would have created a stage for a voice as singular as his? Where else could he have done it on his own? His success, to me, is tremendously exciting. See also, Mike Le’s Don’t Forget To Validate Your Parking or John Campbell’s comics, most of all Stevie Might Be A Bear, Maybe.
As for comedy, generally… I pretty much like all of it. You know, I think very, very highly of Kyle Baker’s early comedies, The Cowboy Wally Show and Why I Hate Saturn. Will Pfeifer and Jill Thompson’s Finals. Michael Kupperman, of course, and Evan Dorkin’s Dork #11. I live in the best city in the world for live comedy; I like The Tomorrow Show, especially. The Thick Of It and Nathan Barley. East Bound And Down, and Flight of the Conchords. 30 Rock and The Daily Show. Judd Apatow and Adam McKay. Borat and Steve Coogan. Conan O’Brien and Craig Ferguson. Charlyne Yi and Jen Kirkman. David Letterman and Andy Kindler. Uptown Saturday Night and Dave Chappelle. Doug Stanhope and Andy Kindler. Role Models and Clark & Michael. Remastering The Sting and The Big Lebowski. Take The Money And Run and Sleeper and Annie Hall and “The Whore of Mensa.” Melvin Goes To Dinner and A Fish Called Wanda. Strange Brew and My Blue Heaven. Idiocracy and Wonder Boys. Pythons and Young Ones. Bill Murray and Groucho Marx. Dr. Strangelove and Burn After Reading. I love “smart” comedies like Broadcast News, and I love “dumb” comedy like Chris Farley dancing in SNL’s Chippendales sketch. Slap Shot and, more than anything else, Caddyshack.
I like comedies more than dramas, more than any genre, more than anything, so the fact there are so few good comedies in comics diminishes my interest in them single-handedly more than anything else has ever managed to do.
SPURGEON: One of the odder milestones this year is the 250th issue of Hellblazer, which brings into relief the way that Vertigo-style books have since their inception both become their own thing and dominated the publishing ground between art books and superhero books. How do you look at the state of the current non-super mainstream? I know that you read Scalped, are there other books in that general neighborhood that you find edifying, worth reading?
KHOSLA: The more important milestone for me personally is the approaching end of 100 Bullets. As a fan, I’ll be in mourning, obviously. But also: the loss of 100 Bullets isn’t coming at the best time for Vertigo. They lost one of their key titles in January with Y The Last Man; the finale of 100 Bullets doesn’t leave a line I have much interest in, otherwise, past Scalped.
Basically, I look at the state of the “current non-super mainstream” with my hands over my eyes, peeking through my fingers. With comics reaching $4 a comic — I don’t know how much space is in the average fans’ budget to take a chance on new Vertigo books. To the extent people even stick around in the face of $4 comics, and evaluate $4 comics in a cold, analytical way; assuming they don’t see it as a deal-breaker psychologically, emotionally, assuming they don’t consider it a betrayal. Then again, I don’t know how much Vertigo ever relied on the “average fan.” It sure seems like Vertigo’s trying to reposition themselves as a graphic novel company, especially with their upcoming crime-comic sub-imprint. But I can’t guess how lucrative that business is going to be for comic companies if unemployment goes into double-digits. And there’s more competition now, with Image, Oni, Boom, IDW, whoever, all of whom are unquestionably more daring visually while reaching for the same readers. And-And-And —
There’s just a lot of crazy going on at once. Can you keep your head around it all? I sure can’t.
I’m encouraged, too. I’m encouraged by the creators themselves. Comics are really brimming with a lot of interesting, dedicated young people. Do you watch Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba’s movies off YouTube? They had a two-part, three-minute “documentary” called Why Comics this year, asking creators “Why comics?” Most of the answers were shallow (again, the movie only lasted three minutes), but… regardless of comics’ faults, people still seem dedicated to finding a way to navigate through all this craziness. That’s something, at least. Probably every single last one of them will get ground up completely by life, end up a bunch of bitter wrecks, waving knives around, exposing themselves to children — the good Lord knows that’s where I’m headed. But win, lose or draw, , it’ll be fun to watch. It’s about the journey, you know? It’s like Kurt Vonnegut said, “Life is a highway which can be ridden all night long.”
It’d be nice if more people were dedicated to making the “Great American Comic” than a “good gangster comic.” I think a lot of dudes out there have underestimated their talent, if anything. Despite all the new publishers, despite the movie deals, some of the most exciting comics in that world are online comics like Sin Titulo, Anders Loves Maria, or what have you. The impact of Hollywood in particular… It’s hard to know what to say about the effect Hollywood’s had, what’s polite to say.
As for other books in the general vicinity of Scalped? A favorite book of the last few years was Brett Lewis and John Paul Leon’s Winter Men. The book makes references to superheros and science fiction elements on its fringes, but it’s as much a crime-comic / action-thriller set predominantly in modern Russia. Amazing dialogue; dense pacing; John Paul Leon’s best work; right-on colors from Dave Stewart. It’s always an easy recommend for me because DC/Wildstorm didn’t really seem to understand it, and as a result, I don’t know if it found the audience it deserved.
SPURGEON: Are you familiar at all with the whole post-Fort Thunder school of cartooning, the kind of stuff that PictureBox, Buenaventura and some other alt-comics publishers release? How do you regard that group of comics; do you have favorite works or cartoonists that work in those areas of cartooning?
KHOSLA: I like PictureBox, though my favorite art comic this year was Drawn & Quarterly’s publication of the art-manga Red Colored Elegy. Which is unfair because I was partially excited by how that comic fit its time period, historically. Specifically, how it seemed similar to French New Wave cinema, particularly in the latter half of the book. I liked how the story it told was incredibly specific, even as the style of presentation so purposefully avoided the specific detail.
From PictureBox, I enjoyed the first volume of Powr Mastrs, and the last two issues of Cold Heat. I didn’t have much of an experience with Chimera, though — I enjoyed Derik Badman’s piece about it, more than I had my own honest experience of anything when I looked at it. Similarly, I didn’t get the same experience from C.F.’s Core of Caligula as with Powr Mastrs, though I’ve never been too much a mini-comic fan. I think with Powr Mastrs, it wasn’t so much specific moments, characters, drawings, so much as the amount of material allowed me to enjoy the, what, the metamorphoses…? The panel-to-panel transitions. Which Core of Caligula had less of, just by virtue of being shorter. Does that make any sense whatsoever? Probably not.
Everyone told me to avoid the Michel Gondry comic, though. But I really liked the heck out of that last issue of Comics Comics — though that’s more comics criticism than comics. Or wait: did you see the Cold Heat Special that Frank Santoro did with Jim Rugg? I liked everything about that, just… First off, getting to see Jim Rugg draw something that felt really new. Rugg’s short pieces often refer to the iconographies of prior eras, but with the Cold Heat Special, he was without those filters. I found that exciting. Then, just the tactile presentation (?) of the material was a pleasure. It’s presented in that newspaper format of theirs, so the art is bigger than a traditional comic without being some “how much do you have in your bank account?” situation like with that fancy-boy Kramers Ergot book.
I don’t really know the taxonomy of that world, though. Is Jordan Crane pre-Fort-Thunder or post-Fort-Thunder? Beats me — he’s one of my favorite all-around guys; a major talent; he’s doing this terrific old-school alternative comic called Uptight. He had a gallery show at Los Angeles’s Giant Robot art gallery a few years back that really blew me away. His all-ages comic a couple years back was great. Obviously, this is Dash Shaw’s year. I’m curious how many people will agree with me that Bodyworld is better than Bottomless Belly Button in the year-end Top 10 lists. I’m guessing not many due to the prejudices people have with webcomics. Or I tried Cryptic Wit from your and Jog’s recommendations. I still haven’t finished either — those books are exhausting because of that suffocating structure that it employs. Fascinating, but tiring to read. But I don’t know how the creator is “classified” vis-a-vis Fort Thunder.
I enjoyed that back-and-forth about Dave Heatley, at their website. I’d read Heatley’s -comic in Kramers Ergot back when. I thought it was a cute novelty comic, but a whole book in that style, with that art? That volume of Kramers had Jordan Crane, Kevin Huizenga, Chris Ware — I know some people, their favorite piece was that Heatley piece, but… And I thought it was okay, but it wasn’t an artistic journey I particularly wanted to continue with, say.
I really enjoy seeing how fans react to PictureBox’s comics on the Internet more than anything, though. You know, all of these people on the Internet, talking about comics — who do we remind you of exactly? You know, growing up, I’d hear fans talk about Dark Horse and Concrete. Then, Vertigo books and Sandman. Then, Top Shelf books, and From Hell. Then, Fantagraphics and Chris Ware. Then, Drawn & Quarterly and Chester Brown. Now, PictureBox.
What does that remind you of? Is it just me, or does it remind you of people who are really, really into eating food? Does it remind you of foodies? “I started out eating hot dogs. Now, I eat raw oysters directly out of a porcupine’s ass.” One of my favorite things this year was Jog’s con-report for this year’s MoCCA? I loved that piece; it was like some Anthony Bourdain outtake:
“Skuldengaat was fed to pigs along with a diet of potatos and leeks, then the pig was disembowled and the partially-digested Skuldengaat was enjoyed directly from the pig’s large intestines.”
“Holy , is that a Swedish recipe or is he reviewing the new book by Paper Rad??”
SPURGEON: Steven Grant mentioned in one of his columns that he could only think of two comics from 2008 to recommend, both reprints. Conventional wisdom says this is an astounding era for comics, but as Steven’s column makes clear, not everyone agrees. Do you feel that comics is in a publishing Golden Age? If not, why do so many think it is?
KHOSLA: I don’t think that’s a conversation I want to be a part of. Grant’s essay seemed odd to me, but a great many of the other responses — not yours, but those of other people — seemed engaged in an even greater amount of reductio ad absurdum arguments. I didn’t pay much attention to any of it, frankly, thanks to my day job, but it seemed like a lot of people judging whether it was a good year or not for comics just by counting how many “objectively great” comics they read. “2008: 2 or 10″ isn’t my kind of debate. Did I misread what was being argued?
To me, this has seemed like a severely good decade for comics. Certainly the ready availability of reprint material, of classic comic strips in particular, is kind-of staggering. But a Golden Age? I certainly hope not. I hope these are the Dark Ages, and what’s coming next is even better. I hope the next decade of comics makes this one look paltry by comparison. The talent’s out there. The audience seems game. Because there’s a lot of work left to be done. There’s a lot of room for improvement. If this is where progress stops, that would be enormously disappointing.
SPURGEON: Abhay, I ask this of most the writers about comics. What was the last great comic you read? What was the last very good one?
KHOSLA: The last good comic I read … I’m not sure: it was either the “Flower” arc of Jack Kirby’s Kamandi or the last issue of Fear Agent. Kamandi is post-Fourth World Kirby, of course. Kirby created the type of series I always have the hardest time reading: the “Cursed Man” series, where the series concerns a man cursed to be unbearably miserable the entire time you read about them by virtue of the premise of the series. The most effective plots in those series (like the Flower arc) are those that dangle happiness in front of the main character before whisking it away. That sort of thing really bothers me. It’s silly, but I get really worked up, even though none of the people are real. I get worked up by fake unfairness…? What is that? See also, Charlie Brown trying to kick the football, the Saturday morning cartoon Dungeons and Dragons, Naoki Urasawa’s Happy, the Incredible Hulk television show, the 1927 comic strip Bobby Thatcher (available at the Thrillmer website), and so forth.
Fear Agent is a series by Rick Remender, Tony Moore and Jerome Opena, published by Image and Dark Horse. (Remender, Moore and Kieron Dwyer also put out a fantastic, completely my-kind-of-thing R-rated zombie comedy called XXXombies this year). Fear Agent is in (I think it’s called) the Raygun Gothic Genre of bubble-helmet spacesuits, rayguns, rocketships. I think the Swedes call it Atompunk possibly, but: Swedes. When Ikea can sell a proper bed, I’ll listen to the Swedes with their Atompunk. I didn’t care for Fear Agent at first, but the last few arcs have really landed with me. I like how the series has unfolded as it progressed. The aesthetic of the book draws a lot of inspiration from other artists I enjoy, like Wally Wood, John Severin, Harvey Kurtzman, artists of an earlier period. It’s a nice enough book.
Great book? Huhm. Well: my favorite comic this year was probably The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard. Not “Best” of the year — I don’t want to get in trouble with the “Steven Grant Hurt My Feelings” crowd, the people who take the Best of the Year denotation way too seriously. But my favorite, sure. The book was a fictional biography of an almost-real French adventurer and his friends, lovers, acquaintances, etc. It was formally playful, but I suppose what I responded to was… With Monsieur, I liked how the adventures arose from a guy trying to be someone cooler than himself, and the big failures and small triumphs of that. Or maybe not even trying to be someone cooler than himself, maybe trying to be the idea of a guy cooler than himself. I just know that. I know that story. I understand that. Plus: many comics have a very inhumane definition of adventure, a definition that focuses more on action than adventure, on good guys, bad guys, conflict, violence. Monsieur’s sense of adventure seemed more like the real definition of adventure to me. Or comics can go the other way to a place of misery. Sad comics by famous cartoonists just seem increasingly dishonest to me. Look: I’m no great or successful artist or “personality” — I’m absolutely not someone you should be interviewing. I’m a quiet guy with an office job. But I’ve traveled, lived in different cities, met interesting people. My life in its own small, pathetic way has been an adventure so far, and so I guess Monsieur Leotard seemed closer to me to the real truth of things.
*****
* Jack Kirby’s Kamandi, in a panel recently posted by Khosla to a message board
* Jim Lee draws the X-Men
* a Secret Invasion cover
* Countdown to Final Crisis
* Marvel’s $4, 16-page comic book
* Wally Wood’s Total War
* from Hook Jaw
* Jim Rugg draws Plain Janes
* from Lucy Knisley
* from Ed Laroche
* M. Jean
* Ganges #2
* Bottomless Belly Button page
* a Blue Beetle page
* prime Jules Feiffer
* 100 Bullets
* a John Paul Leon Winter Men cover image
* the Santoro/Rugg Cold Heat Special
* from Jack Kirby’s “Flower” saga
* a Fear Agent cover
* below from The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard
*****
*****
*****
DC Direct: Super Friends! Superman Maquette
DC Direct: Super Friends! Superman Maquette
 DC Direct continues the series of maquettes* based on the heroes starring in the long-running classic Super Friends! animated series from 1973 to 1986 on network television. Superman stands ready to take on the forces of evil beside his fellow Super Friends, including Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman and… |
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(The trib comic book) Writers have relied on three techniques to limit Superman. First is to have Superman conveniently forget his own powers in particular his near light speed movement. The second limitation is Superman’s own Boy Scout morality and third is the annoyingly ex
Writers have relied on three techniques to limit Superman. First is to have Superman conveniently forget his own powers in particular his near light speed movement. The second limitation is Superman’s own Boy Scout morality and third is the annoyingly ex
I grew up as a fan of Superman, but I never really read the comics. Recently I have gottn back into following the exploits of the Man of Steel, but there was so much I missed. This book has helped explain a lot without me having to go back and buy all t
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
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Witch Hunter Robin: Determination
Witch Hunter Robin: Determination
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Milkman Murders #1 (of 4)
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orlando Florida Private Investigator
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Comic Books portray our fears, our desires and ethos.
czina85 posted a photo:
Marvel Age Spider Man Vol. 2 TPB: Everyday Hero (Digest Edition)
Marvel Age Spider Man Vol. 2 TPB: Everyday Hero (Digest Edition)
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Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe
Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe
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DC Archives - Robin Vol. 1 HC
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(Comic book portfolio) Like all the S/B stories, this one features more twists than a bag of pretzels.
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I do fondly remember the great quality infested peak of DC Comics back in the seventies as a kid, which somehow did still continued around in the eighties somewhat, giving their own brand of a distinct mark which perhaps are not found in the more commerci
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Robin Hood
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DC Direct: Superman Cover To Cover Superman #24 Statue
DC Direct: Superman Cover To Cover Superman #24 Statue
 The second in a series of affordably priced statues based on a classic Superman cover! The Man of Steel stands tall in this patriotic statue, ready to protect the citizens of Metropolis. This limited edition, hand-painted cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 8 and 1/2-inches tall and is… |
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Superman: Logo On Black T-Shirt (M)
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Lois Lane came off as a complete snob and competitively obessed, sort of like Monica Geller from “Friends” except without the charm.
The Comic Book is one of America’s unsung contribution to culture.
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Batman/Huntress: Cry For Blood TPB
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Batman: Animated Series Vol 1-3
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