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Understanding Comics
Aug. 2nd, 2008 03:03 am
I know that this journal has devolved into little more than exercise stats and comic reviews, and I promise I'll try to post something more substantial in the next few days. For now, I ask you guys to bear with me, because I want to talk about comic books just a little bit.
I've been a fan of comic books, off and on, since some genius thought up the Age of Apocalypse story, an absolute beast of a plot that turned eight different comics into a nightmarish, post-apocalyptic version of themselves for one glorious summer. I'd pick them up and take them to some remote corner, devour them whole, and think about the way each issue connected with the others to form a complete picture. I became fascinated with that form of episodic storytelling and how that worked.
Comics, to me, are an excellent medium for it. They can pack an awful lot of story into a very small amount of space; the way you can tell a story is remarkably efficient. Both words and pictures can rely on each other to fill in the gaps of either medium, and this can be used for incredible effect. You can tell, literally, any kind of story in any kind of setting, and if you know how to manipulate the medium you can do it in much shorter time than almost any other.
My tastes are pretty broad, but are concentrated in two specific areas right now: the straight-ahead superhero comic, and the quirky (but marketable!) fantasy. Most of my collection comes from one of two sources: Marvel or DC's Vertigo imprint. There's also smaller press stuff, from Image or Dynamite comics, perhaps.
Anyway, I'm writing reviews to get better at them, pure and simple. I like the idea of talking about something I enjoy in a way that *other* people enjoy. I like looking at the angles, taking apart the dialogue, the plot, the composition, offering theories on where the story will turn next. I'd like to be able to discuss comics as an unabashed, but somewhat intelligent, fanboy.
I think I have a long way to go with my writing before I hit upon a voice that's distinctive and interesting. That's what the practice is for, though! I figure if I do this enough, the kinks will be worked out and I'll evolve into a smoother, better writer. Of course, this means I'll need some of you to offer up advice or criticism. :)
Who would be interested in reading this stuff? I'd like to present the review for each issue so that you can get a basic grasp of what's happening (though it *would* be better if you read the comic) and jump in on the discussion with questions and theories of your own. It'd be best for the reviews themselves to be a springboard for more interactive discussion.
Does anyone read reviews? What are some of the trademarks of a good one? Who are your favorite reviewers? I'm a big fan of Roger Ebert, myself, and I have to admit a fondness for Television Without Pity sometimes. Rikoshi does a pretty good review of geeky television, and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
entil2001 is my go-to guy for in-depth analysis of sci-fi/geek television shows. I'd love to be just like him when I grow up. :)
Here is my list of ongoing comics: if you folks are interested, would you be so kind as to tell me which ones you're particularly interested in? I'd like to get up to speed where I'm writing reviews for all of them; perhaps after a year or two I might have a good enough portfolio to apply for a position somewhere. Here's to hoping!
( The list. )
Which sound most awesome to you? Are there any other comic books I should be picking up on a regular basis?
I've been a fan of comic books, off and on, since some genius thought up the Age of Apocalypse story, an absolute beast of a plot that turned eight different comics into a nightmarish, post-apocalyptic version of themselves for one glorious summer. I'd pick them up and take them to some remote corner, devour them whole, and think about the way each issue connected with the others to form a complete picture. I became fascinated with that form of episodic storytelling and how that worked.
Comics, to me, are an excellent medium for it. They can pack an awful lot of story into a very small amount of space; the way you can tell a story is remarkably efficient. Both words and pictures can rely on each other to fill in the gaps of either medium, and this can be used for incredible effect. You can tell, literally, any kind of story in any kind of setting, and if you know how to manipulate the medium you can do it in much shorter time than almost any other.
My tastes are pretty broad, but are concentrated in two specific areas right now: the straight-ahead superhero comic, and the quirky (but marketable!) fantasy. Most of my collection comes from one of two sources: Marvel or DC's Vertigo imprint. There's also smaller press stuff, from Image or Dynamite comics, perhaps.
Anyway, I'm writing reviews to get better at them, pure and simple. I like the idea of talking about something I enjoy in a way that *other* people enjoy. I like looking at the angles, taking apart the dialogue, the plot, the composition, offering theories on where the story will turn next. I'd like to be able to discuss comics as an unabashed, but somewhat intelligent, fanboy.
I think I have a long way to go with my writing before I hit upon a voice that's distinctive and interesting. That's what the practice is for, though! I figure if I do this enough, the kinks will be worked out and I'll evolve into a smoother, better writer. Of course, this means I'll need some of you to offer up advice or criticism. :)
Who would be interested in reading this stuff? I'd like to present the review for each issue so that you can get a basic grasp of what's happening (though it *would* be better if you read the comic) and jump in on the discussion with questions and theories of your own. It'd be best for the reviews themselves to be a springboard for more interactive discussion.
Does anyone read reviews? What are some of the trademarks of a good one? Who are your favorite reviewers? I'm a big fan of Roger Ebert, myself, and I have to admit a fondness for Television Without Pity sometimes. Rikoshi does a pretty good review of geeky television, and
entil2001 is my go-to guy for in-depth analysis of sci-fi/geek television shows. I'd love to be just like him when I grow up. :)Here is my list of ongoing comics: if you folks are interested, would you be so kind as to tell me which ones you're particularly interested in? I'd like to get up to speed where I'm writing reviews for all of them; perhaps after a year or two I might have a good enough portfolio to apply for a position somewhere. Here's to hoping!
( The list. )
Which sound most awesome to you? Are there any other comic books I should be picking up on a regular basis?
