Week Twelve

I like Lumber Janes. I like it a lot. This comic has got so much charm it's stupid.

It's funny, looking at the cover, I thought this comic was going to go with the art style of Adventure Time (which is in a bit of a controversy right now). But it got more unique as it went on.

The characters are so much fun and I love their individual personalities. Not a single dude in sight and I don't give a damn. That's how you make a progressive comic. Don't shove the "girl power" message down our throats. Just give us a great story with girls in it. Done. This nails it, totally.

It reminded me of a Cartoon Network pilot. It has the potential for an awesome series. Maybe on day.

I'll probably keep checking this out. I'm intrigued.

Week Eleven

Aw, hell yeah. Sin City. Another favorite of mine.

Simply put, I'm a film guy. I love when comics reflect film and make their stories as cinematic as they can be. I honestly think this is the most cinematic comic/graphic novel out there (guess that's why they made two films!). I have so much respect for it because we live in an age of colorful books filled with heroes in colorful outfits shouting witty banter and such. Here comes a book out of nowhere that breaks through the norm, comes in expertly-crafted black & white film noir, and delivers a dark, dank, and gritty story.

LOVE.

Week Ten

I am a huge Scott Pilgrim fan. I actually discovered the comic through a flash animation on the internet. When I first read the series, I fell in love. After reading again, I still do. I don't know if it's the art or the story or the characters. I don't know. I just love this series.

I think it's the video game influence. I've never seen a story, let alone a comic have these awesome retro elements. It's freaking bursting with originality and style.

I just love love love this series!!!

I'm a little pissed that they just recently came out with a colored edition. That's the one thing I think I would've liked for the original. Not sure why they originally went with black and white.

Regardless, this is one of my favorites.

Week Nine

What a freaking interesting world this is! That's all I can say. Such a cool world.
It's very rare that the world sucks me in first. It's usually the characters, story, or art, but the way the world is established really got me hooked.

It reminds me of the recent Total Recall remake. It's a dark, dank, disgusting future world that doesn't make any sense. It's like a modern fantasy. Nothing really adds up, but you accept it anyway. The fact that these people seek out the most disgusting debauchery imaginable makes for excellent and engaging world-building.

Week Eight - Types of Stereos

Stereotypes. That's a very touchy topic. Good thing I got opinions on it. In terms of comics and games, should stereotypes still exist? I say, yes.

Let me explain.

Comics and Games are some of the (if not THE biggest) forms of escapism. People want to experience these fantastic and engaging stories about the land of make-believe: Super Heroes, Adventurers, etc. These are stories of fantasy for us -- an that's the key word: fantasy. We are more attracted to the fantastical versions of ourselves. We see the muscular hero or the hot girlfriend characters as something to strive for. It's what we wish we could have. Are all heroes muscle-bound beef sandwiches? No. Are all girlfriends (or women for that matter) perfect hourglass 10's? No. I think it would be wrong to remove these stereotypes simply because it "doesn't fit with real life". No shit. It's fantasy.

On the same token, there are many cases where stereotypes are harmful. Racial, Gender, and Religious stereotypes can be easily, EASILY offensive and in bad taste. In those cases, I agree that stereotypes need to disappear. I also agree with that in the case of equality and diversity. Can a super hero story have badass female lead and save the man? Hell yeah. Why not? As long as the reader isn't pulled out of the story by having the diversity shoved down their throat, then it's all good.

Stereotypes is a very grey topic. The easiest way to discuss and overcome it, is to just be a sensible, level-headed person. Don't be so for it that we end up offending, and don't be so against it that everything just feels like a PSA or a PR stunt.

Week Three

I read three comic strips this week. Two being somewhat similar and one being vastly different:

Peanuts

There is a clear idea as to what Schultz wanted to accomplish with Peanuts and I think he did it flawlessly. He wanted to show how awful it was to be a kid -- specifically, the underdog. The kid everyone either doesn't like, or grows to not like. He also wanted to communicate just how shitty kids could be. It's a concept that targets a large demographic. Many people often feel like the underdog and this was a strip that they could connect with.

Calvin and Hobbs

I've always had a thing for this strip. Originally, it was to read about the funny, smart-talking kid. Later on, it was reflect on how smart it was. It illustrates now only the quirks of childhood, but I believe it also shows just how smart kids really are. Kids have some real complex and deep thoughts now and then and I think, like some adults do with their kids, they take Calvin and Hobbs for granted.

Little Nemo

This just doesn't do it for me. I'm sorry. It must've been a fantastic story to read throughout the years back then, but it has little appeal for me today. I tip my hat to the creator for choosing a dream world. This allows for him to have all kinds of adventures and gives the strip infinite possibilities. 

Week One

The essence and power of storytellining began with no words. The very first stories told were done through every other form of communication: sound, gestures, visuals, etc. The Arrival masters this by taking every other element of storytelling and utilizing it to it's fullest potential.

This is a very cinematic piece. The panels are well composed, the actions are clear and the facial expressions and emotions are strong. These all are what helps tell a good story. We can connect to the story without the need for dialogue. Some of the most famous stories and characters were silent. Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Tom and Jerry. These were stories that were told through the two most important elements: action and character. If we have a character that is believable (for the most part in Tom and Jerry's case), the audience can connect with what's going on and stay invested. That's exactly how it feels to read The Arrival. The characters and emotion are so good that it keeps you invested in the story.

Reaction to "The Killing Joke"

Reaction to "The Killing Joke"

1.) I think this story is a masterpiece. I've never seen a story go so deep into the themes and psyche of a character that has existed for so many decades. Alan Moore took The Joker, a character that has been represented a certain way for years, and gave a gigantic level of depth and humility to him; something we've never seen before. 

2.) The ending is what gets me. I honestly don't think I've been so connected to a fictional character in years. The moment that gets me is when Joker legitimately considers Batman's offer for help. He's not being is usual maniacal, big, loud self. For just the briefest moment, I believe Joker became who he originally was again. He was so close to possibly getting the help he needs. However, he doesn't. He realizes that it's too late for him. It's like that old Joker is still in there, but he's trapped. He's self-aware. He'll never be able to be a normal person again. There's also the chilling final panels where Moore leaves it open for the audience to determine what happened. It's pure genius. I first read this story over the summer and I still can't stop debating what happened to this day. My first thoughts were, "Okay. They're setting up that this is and will always be the status quo. Batman vs. Joker. Forever." Then I thought harder as to why the last panels are still lingering there. That's when I realized that Batman killed the joker -- hence the title. The Joker went out the way he always does, with a joke. That kind of solidifies the theme of the whole story: It's all a joke.

3.) This is a story that I believe needs to be translated to film. Apparently, Warner Bros. Animation had the same idea because they did it. I won't discuss the added prologue. What could I possibly say about it that hasn't already been said? What they managed to do with the story is honestly how I would've made it as a film. If I were to transfer this to film, it would be nearly identical to this. It is a shot-for-shot adaptation of the comic that hits all the queues and iconic images of the book. If I were to make a change however, it would be with the way they handled the flashback sequences. The filmmakers kind of just took us from the story to the flashbacks -- no real transition. I would've been a bit more artistic and had the present connect with the past. When Joker raises his glass and says"Here's to crime" we could have a shot of him sipping the glass and staring at it. That could take us to the next shot when he's drinking at the bar. Something like that, I don't know. I also feel that the Joker transformation could've been dragged out a LOT more. This is the birth of one of, if not the most iconic super villain of all time. I would've milked the scene for as long as I possibly could. There is power in silence, and I would love to really nail the impact of the birth of the Joker.

Week Seven

MAUS

It's funny, this title was something I always knew existed, but never picked up. I saw this book in my middle school library. Never really paid it any mind, so it was great to finally get into it.

I think its a wonderfully told story, but the style of the book is really what catches my attention, as it would for most people. We're talking about WWII stories told with mice. Definitely an eye-catcher. It's interesting that mice were the chosen avatars for this story. I get why they chose non-human characters, they wanted the story to be, I guess you could say, a lighter look at the subject matter? It's a little less disturbing to see mice deal with these situations than humans. They took the Animal Farm route, which I appreciate. But this book made me realize how much mice are used as characters in a story; especially when retelling stories or telling them from a new angle. This story reminded me of the films "Titanic: The Legend Lives On" and "The Legend of the Titanic". Both films tell the story of the titanic through the eyes of mice.

I suppose for those films, along with Maus, the storytellers wanted a blank slate to work with.

Week Six

Tits & Clits/ Gay Comix

These were quite interesting little gems. I have to be honest, I was a bit uncomfortable with the source material, so I didn't read these all the way through. However, I found the content of the comics to be very eye-opening.

When I think comics, I mainly think Superheroes, along with some of the classics we've discussed in the past (Little Nemo, Scrooge McDuck, etc.). I've been used to comics being portrayed a certain way and having certain censorships. You can understand how shocked (no pun intended) when I flip a page and find a naked man with an erect penis having a power cord shoved up his ass.

Wow.

I totally get shock humor, I absolutely love it. I'm a huge South Park fan. For some reason, the transition to comics rubs me the wrong way. Yeah, in "Air Pirates" it's pretty damn funny to see Mickey talking about how "no one wants to fuck him". That had me giggling hard, but there's still a part of me that's slightly disturbed that its in a comic book. It's the weirdest thing. Maybe its because hard-drawn illustrations feel more personal. I feel more connected to an individual that felt the desire to draw this. Maybe that's what creeps me out. I don't know.

Black Panther #1

So, I'm stupid, because I didn't realize until I finished this that this was the first Black Panther comic ever. It was really special to read the first adventure of such a popular and important character.

I've never really enjoyed Silver Age comics; particularly, the way they're written. Characters often narrate out loud or announce what's going on while it's happening. That always throws me off. When Black Panther kicks the frog from Princess Zanda's hand, she cries "The Frog! He kicked it from my hands!" We know. Stuff like that always takes me out of the story. I get that it was the style of the time, but I feel that it really shows its age. Regardless, you have to respect the classics, as do I.

I liked that this was just a short little adventure. It put me in the mindset of a little kid back in the 60's. Before video games and the internet, this was huge for a kid. This was an epic adventure story told in just 17 pages. I think that's really cool.