Morning,
I’m fully back from the trip and settling back into the fourteen hour work days. I’m a great believer in starting early and getting a load of work done before emails/messages/calls etc start rolling in. I also always take around half an hour at 6.30am to pause and read a few comics. This week has been a time of revelation and disappointment in equal measure.
In the Biblical Revelation column there were a few books that are in competition for the ‘Top’ category. But there was one interview, that sadly I can’t spoil quite yet, that will give any comics fan a mental boost. In fact it’s been a cracking few weeks of meeting the OG comics crowd and walking away with a spring in my step. The news of this particular guest will drop on Monday when the new episode launches – but I’m sure you clever clogs can figure it out beforehand.
On with the task at hand.
Top.
Easy one. In fact I read it about an hour ago and it knocked the one I had in mind off the top.
You can’t really talk about it without spoiling. Myself, Vince and Dan were up at 5am reading it and swapping thoughts, theories and exclamations. My phone is still lighting up as I type this! Millar and Laraz have tied a rope to our ankles and are dragging us at speed through a murder forest of action! Just wait for that last page.
I also feel like Millar is saying something wider about comics, how they are made, attitudes, who the reader is and perhaps how unrecognised we feel by them and a pervading lack of joy in the industry/hobby? There’s also a really funny moment in a ‘Comic Shop’.
Bottom.
Honestly, this is getting beyond the satire and cliche commentary it thoroughly deserves. Fortunately I didn’t have to pay the full price as I read it on the Marvel app.
There are pages that contain figures who for no real reason Liefeld has just filled in with ink.
And what is all that weird dialogue about?!
Rob has his fans. And people will buy and enjoy comics that are not very good for their own reasons.
But, C’MON!??? Value for money this ain’t. Well drawn – this ain’t. Well written – not in the slightest!
Yes, I know he is an easy target. Just wait to see who I have ready for next week. I finally got round to reading it after fighting off a need to throw it in the rubbish!
Other News.
In news unrelated to anything you may read above I’ve been loving Parker Girls from Terry Moore!!!! Now, that’s some great comics. Get on it.
I’ve also been researching one of the greatest British illustrators for an NIA podcast with buddy Eamonn Clarke coming your way on Saturday. I was again reminded how just sometimes knowing a little too much about someone can turn you off to their work. Even work that is so incredibly brilliant.
Do we need distance from an artist? Almost every day on that cackle-fest that is ‘X’ we see our heroes fall (no I don’t mean Brand!) Does that make their work speak to you less? I’ve come to think that the only way I can decide is on a case-by-case basis. Never just follow the crowd – because one day they’ll turn on you. And always challenge the bullies.
Find out more on Saturday.
Any Finally.
Tribute got the best pull quote ever from Underground Comix Legend Steve Lafler this week.
‘These are made by some BAD people!’
Many thanks for reading.
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