Slog - Comments on Comic Books Are Totally Literature

Comment by A

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:10:53 -0800

Page one is 16 panels of nothing and includes the phrase "Science Police"...

Comment by Greg

Greg — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:13:27 -0800

Uh, how does Superman's outfit get torn? That cloth is bulletproof.

Comment by Mighty L

Mighty L — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:18:24 -0800

Ever read any Swamp Thing or Doom Patrol? Both are examples of mainstream comic books functioning as literature. It's very easy to take things out of context and conflate it to denigrate an entire genre.

Comment by A

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:21:57 -0800

@3: Yes, and it's also fun!

Comment by Cow

Cow — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:26:37 -0800

Huh. Little Red Riding Hood's been taking T and working out.

Comment by The CHZA

The CHZA — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:27:43 -0800

I never understood Superman actually having to try in fights. Unless there's kryptonite or no yellow sun around, isn't he fucking invincible or something?

Comment by Paul Constant

Paul Constant — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:28:07 -0800

@3: I write about comics all the time. I just think this page is hilarious.

Comment by Ziggity

Ziggity — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:28:08 -0800

If they're not for kids, I'd expect more cocks. Thank you.

Comment by um

um — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:58:56 -0800

Kids don't read or buy comics, and probably haven't since about 1979ish.

Unless by "kids" you mean "retarded middle-aged manchildren"

Comment by Soupytwist

Soupytwist — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:52:11 -0800

So disappointing, especially after reading ANY issue of All-Star Superman written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Frank Quitely.

Comment by The Incredible Sulk

The Incredible Sulk — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:06:18 -0800

Looks like some nerdy newspaper reporter's been hitting the Rize again.

POW!

And no, I don't feel like letting it go.

Comment by COMTE

COMTE — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:01:00 -0800

"Ooff!"

"Ha!"

"Uurrh!"

Yep, definitely literature.

Comment by Tom X. PDX

Tom X. PDX — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:12:08 -0800

In defense of James Robinson, he wrote very fun, thoughtful superhero epics in Starman and The Golden Age as well as the delightful fantasy comic Leave It To Chance.

His output, however, has suffered greatly since his father figure Archie Goodwin, who worked in the industry since Marvel was Timely, died. He became estranged from Starman collaborator Tony Harris because James was increasingly moving his tales towards genre escapism following Archie's death.

So, while his work on Superman has undoubtedly been shite, I just wanted to clarify that the man was better at some point. Maligning an entire body of work based on one man's past-prime output seems wrong somehow.

Comment by Wurm

Wurm — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:27:55 -0800

so by Paul's logic, one can listen to a Britney Spears song and afterwards conclude that all music is terrible.

duuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhh

Comment by Just Sayin'

Just Sayin' — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:35:53 -0800

@13, mitigating that defense, Robinson's work 'adapting' Alan Moore's brilliant "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" for 20th Century Fox not only was pure shite, but it led to a lawsuit over plagiarism (that 20th Century settled, paying off the wronged party) and to Moore asking that his name never appear on another movie adaptation of his work.

I'm frankly amazed he can still get work in the industry, especially with DC, after that unpleasantness.

Comment by --MC

--MC — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:40:37 -0800

In this era when comics and comix creators are trying to climb out of the toilet, along comes another Superman fight scene to slam the lid down on their fingers.

Comment by Ben

Ben — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:23:01 -0800

Boy, you sure have any point at all here, Paul!