boyajian@akov68.DEC (Jerry Boyajian) (06/21/84)
The Collapse of the DC Universe:
(1) "...how will the people living on earth-prime handle it?" (Laurie)
I suspect that we'll end up with something like the way Marvel handles
it, i.e., that all of the comics characters will exist in the "real"
world. It's not so much that Earth-Prime is where *we* live, but it's
where the Earth-1 heroes are just comics characters (effectively the
same thing, admittedly). On Earth-Marvel, the heroes are "real" *and*
comics characters, and the Bullpen exists as well.
(2) "It will be a sad day when Earth-2 et al. disappear." (Joanne)
Think of how Roy Thomas must feel! He'll be out of a job as "Earth-2
Editor"!
We'll just have to wait and see what happens. The end of the series won't happen
until December 1985, so we have a long wait ahead of us. It's probably useless
to speculate at this time.
Femme Fatales:
"How can we talk about femmes fatales in comics and not mention the two who set
the standards: Caniff's Dragonlady and Eisner's P'gell?!" (Joanne)
Well, I think the original posting was for who people thought were the most
beautiful female characters in comics. Personally, while I think Caniff and
Eisner are two of the (if not *the* two) greatest craftsmen in comics, I don't
find their female characters to be particularly beautiful. They may be alluring
and "fatale", but next to, say, Betty from "The Rocketeer", they're nothing.
THE SPIRIT:
Why doesn't anyone talk about THE SPIRIT? Well, I can only talk for myself, of
course. I don't talk about it because I don't really have anything to say about
it. When I review comics, I tend only to talk about those that are (a) new
(which is also defined as an old title getting a new creative team that really
changes things around, such as SWAMP THING), (b) surprisingly good or poor, or
(c) has some story element or characterization that can spark a discussion (such
as the Rachel Summers business). With THE SPIRIT, I don't feel that I should
have to go GOSH!! WOW!! every month. I listed it as one of the Top Five comics
some time ago, and I feel that that's all that needs be said.
Other comics that I hardly ever talk about, but I would recommend highly
are: CAMELOT 3000, CEREBUS, ELRIC, GROO THE WANDERER, JON SABLE, JOURNEY, LOVE
AND ROCKETS, MS. TREE, STAR*REACH CLASSICS, STEVE CANYON, SWAMP THING, THOR, and
WARRIOR.
AMETHYST ANNUAL:
"(why, oh why, did I buy that Amethyst annual?)" I give up. Why? I rather liked
it, myself, surprisingly enough. I liked the mini-series, but wasn't sure that
they could carry off a new open-ended series. I didn't expect to like the Annual
but it wasn't too bad.
What Comics Are For:
Joanne, I agree with you heartily in general. I've been rather upset with the
latest trend in the fan press putting down superhero comics. SUPERMAN -- THE
MOVIE, notwithstanding, superheroes can't really be done outside of comics,
while other genres can. Where I don't agree is where you put forth the comics
are *not* for the other genres. Certainly, the "Heartbreak Soup" serial that
runs in LOVE AND ROCKETS could just as easily be done as a film or as a novel,
but I might not have been attracted to it if it wasn't a comic. Likewise for
MS. TREE or SOMERSET HOLMES (I do read the occasional mystery novel, but not
often). Part of why I like to read these stories in comics is a matter of time.
I don't often have time to read these days, and it takes a lot less time to read
a comic than a novel. The old one-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words trick. In
addition, the art and composition is very important in a comic. Hell, THE SPIRIT
could just as easily be a novel as SOMERSET HOLMES could, but if it weren't a
comic, we'd miss all those terrific graphics! Ditto for STEVE CANYON or TERRY &
THE PIRATES.
I applaud the expansion of comics into other genres, even as I want to
stand up and scream at people like Gary Groth who don't seem to want any more
superheroes. Just like any other medium, it's not what you do that counts, but
how you do it. If all superhero strips were like "Marvelman", there probably
wouldn't be any fuss.
"Not all the footage in the world can convince me a man can fly the way one lone
Curt Swan panel can." You had to use Swan as an example, didn't you? I agree
with the sentiment, but as I don't care for Swan's artwork.... (though I have to
admit, the LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES ANNUAL was pretty good).
--- jayembee (Jerry Boyajian, DEC Maynard, MA)
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