NPR's Day to Day has just discovered "graphic novels". Alex Chadwick describes them as a new genre, which doesn't sound right to me; "graphic novel" is a format, not an indication of the content. They do generally share coventions (such as the speech bubble), but that's pretty broad.
The critic on the show reviewed the two huge compendiums of work by Los Bros Hernandez, which I certainly can't argue with, except to say that the praise is a decade or two late in coming. Personally, I prefer Gilbert's work; I prefer his stories, and I never minded that his work wasn't as "polished" as his brother's. His art, at its best, is perfect for what he writes, and it's chockfull of personality. Plus, he tends to be much more experimental; New Love is one of my favorite series of all time. So is Measles, his abortive attempt to create a new series for children. I loved his Venus stories in that series, as well as the stories of Steven Weissman. (I still haven't bought Los Locas.)
They review a collection of Lynn Johnston's "For Better or Worse" strips, which I respect more than I enjoy. And they discuss Craig Thompson's Blankets, a book I've had absolutely no interest in at all. The story sounds tedious, the length sounds excessive, and I'm not that fond of Craig Thompson's art. I've heard some people talk like it was absolutely brilliant, but I've heard some people say that it's really not that great, people who's opinion I trust. So I'm not alone. Even the critic was less than enthusiastic about the work.
No mention is made of Persepolis II, nor of Chris Ware, or Art Spiegelman, or Joe Sacco, or Alan Moore, or McSweeney's Issue 13. No indication that there are perfectly reasonable, sensible, literate adults who still read "comic books", some even with superheroes. No mention that manga seems to be slowly taking over my local Borders.
Oh well.
In other comics news: Grant Morrison is apparently going to be writing Superman. This so depresses me; it was bad enough that he managed to get me reading an X-Men comic, now he does this to me? Where is the love, G? Maybe I'll just buy the inevitable trade paperbacks.
I want Grant to revive the old Jimmy Olsen comic. Now that's something I would buy every issue of!
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4 comments:
THANK YOU, NPR, FOR BEING A DAY LATE AND A DOLLAR SHORT.
C'mon, Superman can be dead good when handled properly and after JLA and especially that JLA: Earth2 novel, I am positively slick to see what these guys do.
And his X-Men has been the only great X-Men in my opinion. Yes, that includes Jack's lackluster work and the Claremont/Byrne run which has aged poorly and has moments that make me wince in their cheesiness. (Granted, Wolverine in the basement of the Hellfire Club is still a bit of a thrill, innit?)
Bill...I also heard that story on the NPR this fine afternoon. Thanks for posting the links. Saved me some surf time this evening!
Cheers!
db
You are right about X-Men, although I also like the handful of Neal Addams issues. But then when he left, everything was back to spandex. It's disheartening. Plus, he tends to be more unhinged when he's working with something he created. Well, expect for Doom Partol and Animal Man, but those were titles that no one gave a shit about, anyways.
My hope is that he makes Superman more... something. Something Cosmic. I dislike the cliche "a sense of wonder", but if it should apply to any property, it should apply to Superman. No long dark nights of the soul. I want all the Super-Pets back -- even Beppo -- even Proty I -- not just Krypto. Is Krypto back? I liked the Superman books when they were loopy, irrational, and filled with a rainbow of Kryptonites.
I still saw a Morrison Jimmy Olsen would be fabulous. Grant does Giant Turtleman-Jimmy! Grant does Fat Jimmy! Grant does Elastic Lad! Ah, good times!
Jack's run on X-Men was unimaginative and porrly drawn. I dislike Claremont, and I actively loathe Byrne. And I've been completely disappointed by Joss Whedon's take on the book. I guit buying it, and will probably buy it in tpb.
Wolverine in the basement of the Hellfire Club? Don't be strange now, dolly, so you bold!! Keep yer fambles where I can orb 'em. Sharda so you're not, else we might charver. Savvy? (If you do, I just have to say I'm very tired...)
And of course NPR's a dollar short -- that's why they're always asking for money!
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