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Comic books helped me to define myself and my world in a way that made both far less frightening. I honestly cannot imagine how I would have navigated my way through childhood without them.
-Bradford W. Wright,
Comic Book Nation
A critical analysis of the comic-book form is especially necessary now, when a growing number of contemporary American comic books are being written as literature aimed at a general readership of adults and concerned, not with the traditionally escapist themes of comics, but with issues such as the clash of cultures in American history, the burdens of guilt and suffering passed on within families, and the trials and small triumphs of the daily workaday world.
-Joseph Witek,
Comic Books As History
To paint comic books as childish and illiterate is lazy. A lot of comic books are very literate - unlike most films.
-Alan Moore
(writer of From Hell, V for Vendetta, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Watchmen and more) |
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COMIC BOOKS
In this year of blockbuster movies Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Dark Knight and others, I thought I'd take the time to spotlight that unique storytelling medium so inappropriately known as the "Comic Book."
While "comic" books come in all kinds of genres, including Western, Horror and Romance, the classic form is the superhero story. Blending science fiction, mythology and fantasy (hence its place here, in the Fantasy newsletter), the superhero comic merges words and graphics to produce... well, there really isn't anything like it, except maybe the storyboards they use to help plot movies.
The superhero comic is less than 100 years old; the earlier publications combining words and graphics were essentially reprints of newspaper funny strip, hence the name "comic." The publication of Action Comics #1 in 1938, which introduced Superman (created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster) to an economically depressed nation, set off an explosion of interest in the subgenre. The popularity of superheroes, and comics in general, has waxed and waned since then, but shows no sign of abating anytime soon.
Comics, like movies, are collaborative in nature. While occasionally one person will write, draw and edit the book - Dave Sim's early work on Cerebus comes to mind - in most cases the creative team consists of a writer, one or two artists, a letterer and a colorist. There are also editors, producers and distributors, though those individuals are generally not in charge of the actual content of a comic (though often an editor will provide guidance and exercise veto power). The reason for "one or two" artists is that, often, one artist works in pencil, outlining the general action in each panel; the other inks the final drawing. The purpose of the colorist and letterer is self-explanatory, though their input is critical to the overall look and feel of the book. However, the writer(s) and artist(s) are generally considered to be the core of the creative team.
Though quality, content and themes have changed over the years, there's no denying the impact of comics on popular culture. Superheroes have been presented on TV and in movies, and in conventional novels. Comics, meanwhile, hold not only superheroes but many different glimpses into many different worlds and genres. So next time you're looking for something new to read, why not check the local comic book store? You may be pleasantly surprised. |
While I can't find any actual comic books on WDC, I hope the stories below will keep you busy until you get a chance to hit the local comics shop:
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Last month, I wrote about the need to consider monetary systems in world creation.
Morgul Priestess  : On Odin's beard.... great newsletter, great that somebody has risen up this topic. I like realistic fantasy and when I'm writing I want to make everything as true as possible. For the last month I was struggling with money - that is the UK's economic situation (in my story), which has to be bad yet still realistic. Anyway, that's all about it, i was just so irritated by the fact how hard that was.
Ideally, a writer knows something about everything - and researches what she or he doesn't know when it's important to the story. Not everyone can be an economist, but anyone can learn the basics.
Caramir : I completely liked this particular edition; perhaps because I'm thinking about the aspect of money itself for the tentative novel that I'm working on. Just for the record, any idea about the economy of the 'Wood elves' from Tolkien's world? I'm asking since that society is the closest comparison to mine. Thanks
Tolkien isn't my strong point - any fan want to field this?
JJ : It's also important, for example, to factor in the effects of varying cultures. For example, in "Treason Keep" by Jennifer Fallon, there was a comparison between three different systems made by a warlord. The Warlord had mercenaries because he found them to be of a high quality, as they rely on their skill to survive, but he noted that the nation he was allied with, Medalon, had the best system, with a disciplined standing army, ready to mobilise at the click of a finger. He explained the advantage it had over the opposing nation, which had a king with various lords, the lords totally independant of the king. The king needed the backing of the church, to pressure the pious lords into support.
Also, after a slaughter, with Medalon and the warlord being victorious, it was extremely interesting to compare the allies, with the atheist Medalonians in high spirits for so few losses, while the mercenaries disappointment because there was no glory for the war god.
Brilliant newsletter!
Because of the way comments are handled, I'm not sure this was intended for my newsletter - but the timing was right, so I'll take it!  To address your point, JJ, it's clear that the ways in which different societies build their civilizations have a strong impact on the character of that society. In many ways, a culture can be treated as a "character" in itself, with its own strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncrasies. Comparing and contrasting them is one way for the reader to tell them apart.
And that's it for this time - until next month,
DREAM ON! |
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Fantasy: August 06, 2008 Issue [#2543]
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