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CatFang
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Reading ComicsI recently finished Reading Comics by Douglas Wolk.
I was going to write review of it here, but when I went to amazon to check the author's name I found there was already a synopsis that put it so perfectly I would just quote that here instead:
"This is the first serious, readable, provocative, canon-smashing book of comics criticism by the leading critic in the field. Suddenly, comics are everywhere: a newly matured art form, filling bookshelves with brilliant, innovative work and shaping the ideas and images of the rest of contemporary culture. In "Reading Comics", critic Douglas Wolk shows us why this is and how it came to be. Wolk illuminates the most dazzling creators of modern comics and introduces a critical theory that explains where each fits into the pantheon of art. "Reading Comics" is accessible to the hardcore fan and the curious newcomer; it is the first book for people who want to know not just what comics are worth reading, but also the ways to think and talk and argue about them."
To add to that - the book is extremely well written, very engaging and has the confidence not be deliberately "heavy" or obscure, as with so much art /literary criticism just to make itself sound important.
There are lots of illustrations / pages from a very wide variety of creators, which any book discussing comics really needs. I think the most recent thing it references is Civil War - so really as up to date as it could be.
The best thing is it has made me aware of some creators I have never heard of - and given me lots of things to check out, right from the 1950s forward - If anyone knows where to find Jim Starlin's Warlock let me know...it looks MAD
Personally I agreed with about 90% of what he had to say, but even where you don't the arguments are still very interesting to read.
One of my favourite bits is a discussion about (paraphrasing) comics readers / creators moaning about not being considered "proper art" and he says "the way to get a seat at the table of high culture (should you want one) is to pull up a chair and say something interesting - not moan about not being invited".
Would be good to discuss some of them on the here if anyone else reads it.
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Guest
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Can't say i have read it, but sounds very interesting.
| Quote: | | The best thing is it has made me aware of some creators I have never heard of - and given me lots of things to check out, right from the 1950s forward - If anyone knows where to find Jim Starlin's Warlock let me know...it looks MAD |
Just about everything Starlin has ever done is excellent.
There are a couple of exceptions, but most of it knocks the ball right out of the park.
I think there may be an Essential Warlock that covers those books, but I am not 100% sure. Bats, any ideas?
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Robin The Boy Wonder
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Nope, no Essential Warlock out there.
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CatFang
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| Captain Opinion wrote: | | Just about everything Starlin has ever done is excellent. |
Have you read Warlock itself?
How mad is it?
Given the kind of things I like, will I like it?
Still - Civil War and such has caused me to want to broaden my horizons, so as soon as I can get into the comic boxes deep in the cupboard I am starting on the Frank Miller Daredevils and then moving onto the Bendis ones - under the guidance of CyNic.
| Robin The Boy Wonder wrote: | | Nope, no Essential Warlock out there. |
Is there one planned do you know?
I think all those essentials are black and white though?
One of the things that sounds best about this is the colouring - mind you I think it is 70s colouring so it may sound better than it actually is. Oh dear...I am so shallow about the pictures...
Probably massively expensive to track down all the issues.
Does anyone know if they are rare / easy to find etc?
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Batmanuel
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Cat Fang:
| Quote: | | One of my favourite bits is a discussion about (paraphrasing) comics readers / creators moaning about not being considered "proper art" and he says "the way to get a seat at the table of high culture (should you want one) is to pull up a chair and say something interesting - not moan about not being invited". |
I like it, 
And Warlock, do you mean to tell me that you have never read Jim Starlin's Warlock, omygod, its only one of my favorite comic runs ever along with the Starlin run on Captain Marvel, these comics were like a beam of purity in an otherwise very bleak period in the 70' world wide paper shortages and the like we were seeing comic books being cancelled left right and centre, not a good time for Marvel to try and expand their lines, but expand they did, and Jim Starlin was one of those "hire anyone who can hold a pencil" employed at the time, and hold a pencil he did, he went on to do everything with the possible exception of inking.
they are fucking brilliant, oh and totally insane,
remind me on Saturday and i will lend you some.
Oh and Killraven, tell me you have read Killraven. i will lend you some of them too.
i will have to compile a must read 70's comics list at some time.
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CatFang
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| Batmanuel wrote: |
And Warlock, do you mean to tell me that you have never read Jim Starlin's Warlock, omygod, its only one of my favorite comic runs ever |
I am a girl, you know!! You should really be impressed that I have read ANY comics at all 
| Batmanuel wrote: |
they are fucking brilliant, oh and totally insane,
remind me on Saturday and i will lend you some.
Oh and Killraven, tell me you have read Killraven. i will lend you some of them too. |
OMG - I can't believe you said that!!
Thanks!
You don't have to lend them if they are very precious though - seriously
| Batmanuel wrote: | | i will have to compile a must read 70's comics list at some time. |
Definitely. It could be a new section on the website - the classics or Must-reads from each decade of comics.
See you tomorrow...
Excited now
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CatFang
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WOW!
I have read about half the Warlock run last night and they really are mad.
Brilliant - but mad.
The man's visual imagination is incredible. I suspect there may have been a certain amount of "chemical assistance" involved. Being able to visualize and then draw fractured time and multiple consciousnesses and memories merging in one mind, for example.
Very mighty dialogue, too. I learn from this that you should never say "nothing" when you can say "naught" instead.
There is also a panel that I have to scan for the unintentionally funny panels though - watch out for it.
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