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heroes in crisis

You Can (Not) Parallax: A Case for Heroes in Crisis

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The first thing we must address regarding Heroes in Crisis is that it is a ruin. It’s a six issue miniseries stretched out into nine issues, and it shows. There are several points in the narrative where it’s clear that the wheels are spinning, everyone’s just waiting to get to the bit where Wally West confesses everything. I’m tempted to argue that the series would have been better suited for a more Columbo-esque structure where the reader is aware of who did it and the rest of the series is spent finding out why, rather than having that why provided over the course of an issue long monologue.

But, as with all ruins, what doesn’t work, what caused the ruin, is often the least interesting part. What’s more interesting, however, is what a ruin can show us. What we can find within the ruin that shows us what it could have been. Not that it was secretly good (though I’m quite aware that some are invested in that project), but rather what hidden depths can be found by taking what’s there seriously. [Read more…] about You Can (Not) Parallax: A Case for Heroes in Crisis

Heroes in Crisis & The Breakdown of Tom King’s Formula

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“What does it mean for the world to end?” This is the core concept at the heart of Heroes in Crisis and, regardless of its execution, it’s worth pointing out why it’s such a provocative question. The apocalypse is always around the corner in comic books, with huge, potentially universe destroying events like the Anti-Monitor’s cannon and the Anti-Life Equation near annual occurrences. So much so that some fans are growing numb to this.

Note: Spoilers for Heroes in Crisis follow [Read more…] about Heroes in Crisis & The Breakdown of Tom King’s Formula

The Macro-Narrative of Tom King: Comics Will Break Your Heart, Kid

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Tom King is impossible to miss right now. His books have won multiple Eisner awards, he’s appearing on late night TV, and if he’s putting out a new book, it’s sure to be on virtually every “must read” list before the ink is dry. Even his backstory is everywhere:

Originally a CIA operative in the Counter Terrorism Center, King left the agency after the birth of his son, stating “the type of career I wanted at the agency did not fit with the type of father I wanted to be.” He returned home to pursue writing, eventually working at the same places he’d interned for while in college — DC and Marvel. [Read more…] about The Macro-Narrative of Tom King: Comics Will Break Your Heart, Kid

PREVIOUSLY ON… #40: Heroes in Crisis #1 vs. Identity Crisis backlash, and Chelsea Cain vs. the World!

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This week I take a look at the first issue of DC’s Heroes in Crisis and what should be made of comparisons to DC’s 2004 event, Identity Crisis. Then it’s on to updates on the DC Walmart Giants and my pick for comic book thing I love this week! [Read more…] about PREVIOUSLY ON… #40: Heroes in Crisis #1 vs. Identity Crisis backlash, and Chelsea Cain vs. the World!