IDK much about comics in general, but I did read through the entire series of Franken Fran Manga. It was a strange, but fun read.
Yes. But think about it! It would make shit so much more poignant! But instead what did we get? Space Aliens. Like, I'm fine with space aliens. But not like this.
I liked Marvel Comics attempt at a new title when they debuted the "New Universe" titles around 1988 or so. DP7 (displaced paranormal 7) was an interesting look on how ordinary people would deal with getting paranormal abilities. For example they had a muscle bound guy whose muscles grew muscles and every time a new muscle would come in, he'd double over in pain from the cramping. The solution was to work out and stretch, hence making him even stronger. They had a guy who developed explosive blisters/pimples and he was able to fire them off at will but it would HURT him when he did so. There were other titles as well. Kickstarters was an American football club and one member was a paranormal. Spitfire was basically Iron Man but the pilot was a girl scientist. PSI Force was a group of teen runways chased by shadowy government operatives that wanted to exploit their abilities. Maus was also really cool. I am aware of Magna but I hate the back to front type of reading....it's just WRONG. So I don't really read much of it. I do like the type of comics they print in the newspapers as well such as: https://www.gocomics.com/betty/2002/01/04
I started reading comic books from reading the comics in the newspapers. Charlie Brown, Garfield, Family Circus, Hagar the Horrible, Frank and Ernest, and more. They were great. The newspaper comics covered a variety of styles and humor. I guess that helped me appreciate comics books from a multitude of comics and not just one or the other (as with the eternal ‘Marvel or DC’ fan-fight). I remember Marvel’s New Universe (NU) characters. I could t connect with them, mostly because of the artwork. Art was, and for the most still, is a primary attraction for me with comics. I read through a few of the NU books and did like some of the characters but none stuck enough to continue following. I thought Nightmask and Starbrand were interesting characters. I think Marvel wanted to create its new universe separate from their mainstream characters to write more ‘realistic’ or alternative stories, it didn’t go far enough. DC did the same with their new line, Vertigo. Vertigo was definitely written for the more mature fan. Even though they used characters from their mainstream universe (like Sandman, Swamp Thing, and Animal Man), the stories were dark and usually dealt with the macabre or psychological aspects of the characters.
I used to read all kinds of stuff back in the day. Dropped off in the mid-90s and caught up a bit recently. Upvote for Maus. Incredible book! But one I read religiously was Cerebus. If it’s at all possible to ignore Dave Sim’s atrocious misogyny (and it’s hard, because it is atrocious), the series itself is amazing. The first 6 or so ‘phonebooks’ are really good. Then he gors up his own backside a bit, pulls it back loses it again ... but the art, especially Gerhard’s backgrounds, is fantastic.
^ Agreed on all counts. I like they way you can watch the art progressively improve by stages, from the early issues where it was a silly Conan spoof with an Aardvark in the lead role. One of the best periods is when he started putting in the caricatures of celebrities like the Rolling Stones and the Marx Brothers. I must say though, in general the stories made little to no sense to me. And one of the best features was always Sim's advice about self-publishing. Also important to keep in mind—when someone is a misogynist or a misandrist it's due to a personal failing that they want to blame on the entire other gender. Projection writ large. That or they've absorbed some hateful ideological brainwashing.
He had very bad break-up with his long-term partner, Deni Loubert (I think that’s how her name is spelled). Then I believe a not-unconnected descent into a strange religious spiral of his own creation. Cherry picking bits and pieces from Christianity, Islam and several other established religions. It was strange watching this happen in real-time. But, according to several sources, he’s still a generally nice person that still cares about self-publishing and he has stepped a little back from his misogynist rhetoric. It’s just it’s hard to excuse what he used to say.
Argh!!!! How could I forget Calvin + Hobbes??! That's a comic with staying power. Chapters still sells the books - all of them. I had forgotten about Robotman. Garfield I felt stayed too long. Every single strip I can remember reading, the joke was always the same. Comics that stood out for me from the newspapers were: For better or worse Stone Soup Andy Capp - this one did not age well, especially with how Andy Capp treated his wife, Flo. Pearls before Swine - this is a comic I HATED until I was bored and picked up a cartoon collection at the library....fell in love after reading that collection. Another comic I loved was Foxtrot. Bill Amend retired though....sigh. I was ok with B.C., Wizard of Id, Blondie, Hagar, Hi + Lois, Beetle Bailey; but they all seemed a bit dated. I wish they would retire and bring in some new talent - or perhaps reissue the older ones. I never understood "Get Fuzzy"
has anyone read The Child Thief by BROM? its been on my "to read" list for a few years now and I just havent gotten around to it. Its a dark take on Peter Pan. the artwork is gorgeous!
I agree with the art of Cerebus. I couldn’t quite make out the point of the comic. Was it allegory, satire, dream state, or what? I read them here and there but collected them for the art (my downfall).
Yeah, HOW could I forget Calvin and Hobbes, too! I agree, several comics became dated because ‘society’ grew up. Still, another forever classic for me is Peanuts.
Eh. A little from column ‘A’, a little from column ‘B’ ... Sometimes it was a stream of consciousness. Sometimes an outright parody. Sometimes a meta-critique. It was ... unusual story-telling, that's for sure.
Fist of the North Star. Berserk. City Hunter. And anything involving either Deadpool or the Thunderbolts. Preferably also featuring Clint Barton.
Neil Gaiman's "Sandman". All of them! Takehiko Inoue's "Vagabond". (It's still unfinished damn it! I think he lost interest in it and it shows towards the end). Tsutomu Nihei's "Blame!" Warren Ellis's and Darick Robertson's "Transmetropolitan". ETA: I found it! Also "The Private Eye" by Brian K. Vaughan, Marcos Martin and Muntsa Vicente I read this at panelsyndicate and left a donation. It's pretty short and I don't remember it very well, but I remember enjoying it. I might read it again.
For images to show up you have to click on the Media icon across the top edge of the reply box, the one that has a little mountain on it and, I guess a black sun or moon? Then paste the URL into the box that shows up.
I know, just bored... Okay! I will in order to illustrate a beautiful, respectful thread to comics. Wait for it.
