When I signed up to write about the She-Hulk by Dan Slott Omnibus, I was coming in with the context of it being a fairly popular run that I saw a lot of people hold up as the definitive She-Hulk run. What I got instead was a very uncomfortable depiction of a textually strong female character as essentially a stereotypical (in 2004) comic book fan’s ideal female protagonist. Right from the first page, Jen is depicted as a woman who is so insecure in her self image that she just has to sleep with different men almost every night to cope with it. And while, sure, Slott points out that this isn’t a healthy way to live, the entire thing just feels like the creative team is leering at her. Every single page of this book reminds the reader that it was created entirely by men. [Read more…] about She-Hulk by Dan Slott Omnibus Review!
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Creannotators #23: “Amulet” With Creator Kazu Kibuishi
This week on Creannotators, I talked with comics creator Kazu Kibuishi about the incredibly successful all ages series Amulet, the impending 9th and final book, and some teases and revelations about what’s next!
On Comic Book Herald’s ‘Creannotators’ I’ll be interviewing some of my favorite creators in comics about specific runs, graphic novels or series, looking for their insights on the inspirations behind the work and ideas or hidden material readers may have missed. Creannotators is an audio/visual annotative guide to enjoying the intricacies and thinking in the art. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the comics!
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[Read more…] about Creannotators #23: “Amulet” With Creator Kazu KibuishiCrossover #1 Advance Review!
The problem with writing about Crossover #1 is that the most interesting aspect of the book occurs on its final page. It’s a combination of text and image that retroactively changes how the issue is read. The implications of the page would require thousands of words unpacking (among other things) why Mark Waid is editing this book, the rise of conservatism within superhero comics since 1986, the tendency to distort ideas into mere buzzwords, one of the many reasons why I no longer have any faith in humanity, a truly wretched and distasteful Tori Amos analogy about the difference between Donny Cates and Mark Millar, why the Captain Marvel cameo was recolored despite him being a public domain character, the acronym DSHKBAWKA, and the time no one noticed Superboy gruesomely (if accidentally) killing a cat.
And this would all make for a pretty damn good review if not for the ethics of explicitly talking about the final page in a review not only predating the comic being released, but also one provided by the publisher of said comic (Ed: Thanks, Image!). It can be implied, sketched around, but it cannot yet be stated. As such, the task at hand must be focused squarely on what is known to the public. What can be talked about. And, in fairness, there are things to talk about beyond that final page. [Read more…] about Crossover #1 Advance Review!
Marvel Year Twenty-Six: 1987 Pt. 3
Marvel comics of 1987. Simonson Thor slaps! Cap makes a choice! FF vs. X-Men!
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Matt Fraction, American Fiction, and Jimmy Olsen! (Pt. 2 of 2)
Editor’s Note: In Part 1 of this series, Ritesh explored Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber and team’s DC Comics series Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen, which led to an exploration of Fraction’s “American Fiction” trilogy released over the last few years. Today, the journey concludes with Adventureman, the Pulps, and circling back to the comedy of Jimmy Olsen!
[Read more…] about Matt Fraction, American Fiction, and Jimmy Olsen! (Pt. 2 of 2)