Intellectual Property – where the Goth Girl goes mainstream
Then there’s this:
The L.A. Times Blog explains the controversy.
Comics Worth Reading has the follow up.
What are your thoughts?
I can’t believe that any judge will entertain a lawsuit to stop a lawsuit. What kind of precedent will that set? With the announcement of Sonia Sotomeyer as the new Supreme Court Judge, who has a background in intellectual property law, I wonder just how far this case can go?
I’m going to consult my lawyer and get back to this.
Popgun Vol. 1 – review
A 2008 Harvey Awards winner for Best Anthology, Popgun is packed with stories ranging from cute to sick to ow-ow-my-eyes. You know that sweet, beautifully illustrated anthology Flight?
Popgun is like Flight if someone kicked it in the balls. It’s a ramped up, unforgiving, onslaught of talent and storytelling. Featuring 52 stories it’s a lot to take in. I recommended going through slowly. Give yourself time to process – oh, and don’t be afraid to skip ones you don’t like. Trust me, there’s plenty for all.
Like most anthologies, not all the stories are great. Some like Cheeseburger-head try too hard. Others turn “experimental” into “unreadable”. For the most part though, the stories and the artwork are strong. One of my favorites was written by Aqua Leung author Mark Andrew Smith called New Brighton Archaeological Society. I also really enjoyed They Shoot Ponies, don’t They?
Described as a “graphic mixed tape”, there’s no running theme, nothing to tie these artists down. In some ways, this is a hindrance. It forces the reader to switch from noir to superhero with the turn of a page. Still this anthology, which is up to volume 3, is worth taking a look at. Plus in later volumes you get a story from an Oklahoma author!
The Eternal Smile review
In The Eternal Smile, Gene Yang and Derek Kirk Kim make an excellent team, expertly combining writing and artwork to put together three short stories that say a lot. I was really taken with Kim’s talent. I had read Yang before so I knew what to expect but the diversity of Kim’s drawings really impressed me.
The first story is by far the weakest. A young hero sets out on a quest to bring the Frog King’s head back to his love, the princess. Should he succeed he wins her hand and the kingdom. Though everything is not as it seems and in the end he must make a choice. The script is entertaining if predictable.
The last two stories are where these artists really show what they can do. In the title story, a greedy frog builds a church to an eternal smile in the sky. Layered in a funny, dime-store comic style is commentary on exploitation, religion, entertainment and power. The use of color in this story is especially impressive. I won’t spoil the ending but I will say that how Kim paints the final pages make for a beautiful ending – the type that’s leaves you with a smile.
As much as I enjoyed “The Eternal Smile”, the final story is the book’s best. In this story Yang and Kim show what a great team they make. Kim perfectly illustrates Yang’s brow-beaten secretary. Kim boxes her in her panels like she’s boxed in her cubicle. She is cherubic and small but an email from a Nigerian prince asking for money makes her bigger. She answers the email and complies with the requests. Just that simple concept alone makes me love this story.
Through each story could easily turn dark, Yang and Kim don’t let that happen. After a week of indie comics and a vampire book, I was happy to see an eternal smile.
Huntress Year One review
I like the Year One and Origin comics because they let me get to know a character that I might not be familiar with. Since they literally start from the beginning there’s no need for prior knowledge. So Huntress Year One sounded great. I was pretty excited about the cover – an angry woman with a crossbow. But you know what they say about judging a book by its cover….*sigh*
What I found inside was a cliched mess. Little Helena Rose Bertinelli watches as her family is murdered. Of course, she is inexplicably left alive, I think we are supposed to assume it’s because she’s a little girl. But still, sloppy work assassins. Helena’s family isn’t just any Gotham family; her father was the Don of Gotham. Helena is sent to live and hide out with a family in Sicily where she dreams of revenge. Naturally.
What follows is the story of a woman bent on revenge and falling in love and losing that love and we’ve seen it all before. The artwork is flat, failing to convey any kind of emotion besides anger. Luckily, Helena is angry a lot. The dialogue is stilted, full of conversations like this:
Huntress: Everyone thinks they’re the good guy.
Batgirl: Sometimes there really are good guys.
Huntress: You settle for being good. I’m going to be the best.
There’s also the issue of feminism which, like Helena’s “take it when it works” approach to faith, is constantly brought up. Yet, it’s hard to get into girl power when all the women are caricatures. Helena’s cousin is crabby and petty and jealous. Well, of course, she is – she’s fat! You can tell Helena is “feisty” cause she is rude – I mean, speaks her mind. Batgirl is good, we know this because she’s bubbly and tries to make friends. Catwoman on the other hand is dark and edgy, just look at her cigarette.
I’m not quite sure what the point of this was. To remake the character, (who has apparently had several incantations)? To explain why in later Birds of Prey the Huntress hints at being a lesbian? Cause you know, nothing will turn you gay like the guy you love turning into a jerk over something you (sort of) did. It’s that easy ladies!!!
In conclusion: cool cover, weak delivery.
Three Reviews
Reviewing is ultimately subjective. I can try and be objective but that would mean leaving out the emotional reaction I had to a work and well, isn’t that the whole point of reading? On the other hand, my tastes shouldn’t dictate trashing what is probably a quality story or artwork so I try my hardest to see what might be worthwhile there. Usually the two match up pretty nicely. Other times….
Eden: It’s an Endless World vol. 1
Objective review: In a creepy post-apocalyptic world, a dying scientist lives his final days helping two immune children grow up. The first half of the book is flashback, giving the reader a taste of the horror that came before the mysterious virus made everything go quiet. As with most manga, the first volume is mainly exposition and not a lot of action. The plot picks up once the story jumps 20 years into the future, as young Elijah and his robot struggle to survive and discover the secret of the controlling Propapeter.
Subjective review: In a story spanning several generations, a virus has taken out most of the population. Two immune children struggle to survive with their ailing mentor and robot. When a shadow government attempts to take them, the boy must fight and kill his previously-thought-dead-but-no-he’s-alive-and-the-enemy father. No, it’s not Star Wars. So much time is spent on flashbacks but little explanation is offered. The virus has creepy symptoms like the skin hardening and cracking which makes for some great visuals. The story could easily have skipped the backstory and just started with Elijah and his robot. I’ll stick with it to see if it improves but the cliches, predictable plot and silly looking mecha bore me.
Swallow me Whole
Objective review: In a beautifully illustrated, surrealistic style, Ruth struggles with schizophrenia at the height of adolescence. The pressure of her illness, school and family life collide with her joy at a budding romance and a great new job.
Subjective review: Yes, it’s got the prerequisite Alison Bechdel type artwork of slouching characters and smooth, wavy lines. Yes, it’s angsty. Yet, it’s missing a heart. I was excited to read this book because the previews made me think it was about a teen living with a mental illness but instead the focus seems to be on what weird thing can happen next. Which is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to mental illness books. The frog and the raining bugs certainly twist the page up but if they aren’t really giving me anything besides an “episode” then I lose interest. I wish more time had been spent showing Ruth’s interactions with those around her (her relationship with an understanding but frustrated teacher had the potential to be especially heartbreaking), and less time on trying to wow me with weirdness.
I Shall Never Return vol. 1
Objective: I can see why this is considered a modern classic. It has two flawed yet likable characters and leans hard on the drama. Though the artwork is not as polished as I like, it doesn’t stand in the way of the story. Risturo and Ken have always been best friends. Risturo helps Ken through his parents painful divorce and stands by him even after Ken takes up prostitution. There is an undeniable bond between the two and early in the first volume they give in. The drama doesn’t come from the will-they/won’t-they tension but rather can this relationship survive.
Subjective: I did like this yaoi a lot. However, I was somewhat annoyed at the dominating Ken causing heartache for Ritshuro and Ritshuro being even more taken with him each time. I realize this is where conflict comes from and that it gives room for the characters to grow but like Hot Gimmick, I’m not sure if I really want to watch it.
Eternal Smile preview
Yay! Gene Yang and Derek Kirk Kim’s The Eternal Smile is almost here! Here’s a preview from Publisher’s Weekly:
It’s kind of awkward viewing but worth it. The more I hear about or see of this title the more excited I am to read it.
Batman R.I.P. – review
You’ll have to forgive me. I have a bad cold and I’m attempting to review Batman R.I.P. so there’s a very good chance that none of this post will make sense.
What is it about Batman that makes me so sad? The whole Dark Knight, troubled soul, citizens of Gotham – just brings me down. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing, a lot of beautiful writing comes out of sadness. Elie Wiesel’s Night comes to mind and of course there’s England’s version of the Bat, Hamlet. But the level of sadness in Batman has really been cranked up hasn’t it?
Batman faces the Black Glove. He’s on the Glove’s trail when his “love” Jezebel Jet betrays him, whispering the code word that shatters his psyche. Luckily, he’s got a backup personality – I promise it’s much cooler than it sounds. Together with Robin and Nightwing (who aren’t much help but what can you do) the new Zur en Arrh Batman continues his efforts to destroy the Black Glove even at the cost of what’s left of Bruce Wayne’s life.
Batman R.I.P. isn’t so much about Bruce Wayne’s physical death or even his psychological death (that happened a while back) but his emotional end. I can’t decide if I think this is brilliant or cheap. I’ve heard people argue that Bruce Wayne had it coming. In fact, the book itself makes the point, in clue flashbacks from The Butler Did It, that Bruce Wayne has had numerous chances to take his pain and actually learn from it and doesn’t. But to break him with a rumor? Though it’s a pretty good one and I love the idea that maybe the Wayne’s aren’t the saints we thought – still…
There’s no beating Morrison’s feel for plot or timing. I loved the second personality even if it came with some kind of freaky little batkid. Actually, I became sort of attached to that Life with Louie looking sidekick. There’s also the sad truth that no one understands Batman except his worst enemy, who happens to be insane. That’s when you know it’s all gone horribly wrong, when the Joker speaks reasonably about what the rational thing to do is and of course everyone ignores him. It suggests that maybe the Joker is a twisted Cassandra, telling the sad fate of Gotham to power hungry villians and heroes.
I do have a few gripes though. First, Arkham Asylum – when is this place going to get some better security? I mean, really. It’s just irritating. Second, the artwork is too over the top. I’m sure Morrison and Daniel were intending it to be this way. A friend of mine told me the back story of the whole Zur en Arrh, explaining that Morrison is heavily influenced by past, campy Batman stories. So the artwork reflects that but I don’t know if it needs to. Joker looks too much like a monster, like Pennywise the Clown and the faces of Gotham citizens sit flat. Finally, I always find myself wondering stupid things like where the Joker finds purple pinstripes on such short notice? Does he have a special store that he stops by? Do they let him keep some in Arkham?
That may just be the cough syrup talking….
WE3 Live Action Film
Ok, I’m going to talk about Thomas the Train for a minute but I swear this has a point, so bear with me. In 2000, Thomas came to the silver screen in Thomas and the Magic Railroad. In 2009, my son discovered that he loved Thomas (all trains really) more than anything. He watched the dvd and had some kind of freak out when the trains left the screen. Unfortunately for him, there’s not really a ton of train action in the movie. It’s filled up with stupid people.
Which brings me to this:
‘We3’ Lands ‘Kung Fu Panda’ Director John Stevenson
A live action WE3 film? Interesting…interesting. I like how the article is quick to point out that it will be R rated. Duh. How could it not be?
WE3 is a thin masterpiece (in my opinion) that turns three animals into weapons. Once these fluffy killers escape the lab they try to find their way back home, using their instincts which are now attached to guns. The result is bloody and heartbreaking. Each animal has it’s own personality, not based so much on emotion but those qualities which make them what they are. For example, the dog is a needy creature, bred to please it’s master.
As the animals pretty much plow their way through the city, there is very little human interaction in the book. There doesn’t need to be. It’s a catastrophe of human hubris as seen through the eyes of the weapons.
So, my concern for the movie would be, like Thomas, that in order to flesh out a small book they add more human characters. They turn the doctors into central characters. I hope not. I can’t wait to see a preview.
Jack of Fables – Turning Pages review
If you’ve been reading the wonderful Fables but haven’t picked up the Jack of Fables spinoff, you’re missing out. Jack of Fables is the story of Jack (that egotistical but irresistible hero) after he leaves Fabletown to seek his fortune. What follows is a series of hilarious mishaps, seductions and new Fables. It doesn’t have the weight and worry that the Fables series has and that’s a good thing. Jack narrates, that’s also a good thing. He’s just as narcissistic as ever, often getting upset when one character gets a little more “screen time”.
Turning Pages is volume 5 and is a good jumping in point. The first story is sort of unnecessary. Way back in they day (before the events in Fables) Jack is the leader of an Old West gang, killing lawmen and stealing horses, the whole bit. Sheriff Bigby (the Big Bad Wolf) gets wind of this criminal behavior and sets out to bring Jack back. While it’s a fun story, it’s mainly filler. Though it is interesting to see Bigby before Snow White manages to calm him down.
After that brief interlude, comes the stories of the three Page sisters. They are Literals and librarians working at the Golden Boughs Retirement Community (it’s not nearly as nice as it sounds). Their background stories lead into what appears to be a very sticky situation for Jack.
This isn’t the strongest volume in the series but it’s nice to have a break from the building action. Willingham and Sturges make sure to keep the laughs up, even as the stakes get high. One of the best things about this series is the use of American Fables like Paul Bunyan and his strange blue ox Babe. Like the original series, this one is packed with imagination.
If you’re looking for a delightful prose read that’s a lot like these series, pick up the Thursday Next mysteries by Jasper Fforde.
New York Times Bestseller List
The latest NYT graphic novel bestseller list is up. I don’t see anything really surprising. The Watchmen film seems to have rekindled interest in all things Alan Moore. The Killing Joke comes in at #9 and is over 20 years old! Peanuts is proving to be worthwhile long after the strip ended. People really love that round headed Charlie Brown don’t they?
Deb Aoki takes a look at the manga list. I love that they have a manga list, even if it’s just a line of Narutos. But each week I’m taken back by what’s on there. Bleach makes sense, anything that’s backed up by Cartoon Network plus being a great story is kind of a no-brainer. But Black Cat? Deb explains that the NYT casts a much wider net than other bestseller lists; they poll not just big stores and retailers but small indie comic shops. Gentlemen’s Alliance is the only shojo on the list this week.
Speaking of shojo, Matthew Brady recaps Shojo Beat, April 2009. He hits on exactly what bothers me about Vampire Knight.
” It’s a nice reversal on the usual dominant/submissive relationships of the series, and while Yuki will probably go back to her old, quiet self soon, it’s good to see her assert herself.”
I wish she would assert herself all the time. Maybe not in the drastic, demanding way she does this past month but in some ways. She’s annoyingly dominated by the men in her life – Zero, Kaname, and the headmaster. It’s one thing to have a quiet strength like Fruits Basket’s Tohru Honda and another to allow your boyfriends to make all your decisions. Yuki’s tiny size allows her to constantly be picked up and cuddled like a child. Is that supposed to be romantic? Cause it just creeps me out.
