Final Blog Post: Revisions

Underground Comix

This may be one of my favorite areas of comics we will touch on in this class. If you were to look at my work and my own comics, you would never know how enthusiastic I actually am about the artists and artwork that came from the Underground Comix movement. A lot of people frown upon Robert Cumb's work. I completely understand the negative reaction his work gets most of the time. As feminist and anti-stereotyping/anti-racism/anti-'pretty much everything Crumb illustrates' I may be, I love every single, awful illustration he does.

Believe me... I wish I could say that I hate this, but I hate it so much I love it.

Half of my collection is made up of Crumb books, because not only do I appreciate the attitude in his work, I admire the flagrant obscenity in his style of drawing. It first reminded me a lot of album covers and show flyers I had always seen in my music collection.

 Along with comics, I grew up on a lot of punk rock and stoner-metal music. I have been totally desensitized to the crass and inappropriate imagery he depicts in his comics. The thing I loved about the Underground Comix was the liberal presentation of X-rated material. Hence the X in Comix. It was, in my opinion, the punk rock of comics. A middle finger to the publications that limited artists and their freedom to be gross and inappropriate. It was aimed at a much more mature and open minded audience, and although at that time, sex, drugs and rock and roll were heavily depicted in comics, Underground Comix took it to an extreme level. I love that!

ADDITIONALLY:

On the subject of inappropriate comic books and cartoons, I feel it is necessary to make mention of the relatively recent events which occurred in Paris. Charlie Hebdo is a satirical French comic book company in Paris, France. It highlighted subjects which include politics, religion, and culture in very blunt and sarcastic depictions. On 7 January 2015, two Islamist gunmen forced their way into the Paris headquarters of Charlie Hebdo and opened fire, killing twelve staff cartoonists, 1 economist , and 2 editors. I had very strong opinions about this and my parents told me not to make a fuss about it and to never ever post my opinion about it anywhere... Naturally I posted this in tribute to the events which occurred because so many people should be made aware of such events. I had many debates about it and came to the conclusion that NO artist, for any reason (so long as they aren't physically harming anyone in the making of their work) should ever deserve death for creating a cartoon.

"My heart goes out to all of the artists of Charlie Hebdo. It is a shame that an artist should be punished for expressing themselves openly and freely..."

Another person who had a different response, was none other than Robert Crumb ...

PREACHER - Garth Ennis

1. Were there any prominent symbols in what you read and how were they used?

The repetitive use of Flame, every time they switched off in their storytelling, one character lights a cigarette (with the exception of Tulip), and the flame is 'passed around'. I don't think its necessarily a significant symbol, but perhaps a good technique for switching off the 'spotlight' onto narrator and dialogue. The 'Angels' and the 'Demons' are depicted in a very different way than we have been introduced to most often times, as well as the relationships between the two. I'm not sure that this is even a good observation or a stupid analytical detail that I am pointing out, but Cassidy's sunglasses seem to always have the same shape/reflection within the lenses? I dismissed the repetitiveness of the designs, but then remembered my first time reading Watchmen and thinking "How inconsistent can a person be with inking that mask!?" Since Rorschach's facial mask prints are always morphing and changing. I didn't realize it until the film came out when I saw the mask physically morphing and changing and felt really stupid. It could be nothing, but it was prominent enough to me to recognize. I felt I should call it before I catch myself in a stupid moment again. 

2. Is there an aspect of the story with which you were able to make a personal connection?

There are a few details within the first 20 pages of this comic series that I was able to make a personal connection with. One of them being the preacher's outlook on God and his whereabouts. In the very beginning, when told that there are only two places where God can be found, he sets the tone by responding that 'It sure as hell ain't the Church'. I have never been religious, and because of personal and cultural reasons, have seen the destruction and corruption of faith/religion onto people, and can agree that 'God' may be present in many unexpected places, but certainly is not found in the Church. I really like the western quality of the comic so far, it reminded me a little bit of Moebius' Blueberry (which I grew up on), but a lot grittier and with a much deeper storyline. Another personal connection was the scenario in which Tulip was sexually harassed by the man in the vehicle. This was a very real moment and her reaction, shooting the man beside him in the face, was very extreme, but understood. I'm sure at some point it will be justified or explained (since she knew they were coming and I haven't read far enough to know how she knew that).

3. If you were to adapt this story to another medium, what changes would you make?

If this comic were adapted into another medium, I would see it adapted as a film. If that were the case, I would ideally hope for more of a starting foundation or a little bit more of an introduction that sets the tone. A piece of imagery or background info establishing the purpose of the Preacher without exposing too much information. I think certain aspects of it should be explained a little more thoroughly without removing the element of mystery or fiction. I personally would not make changes, and there are many film studios that create controversial films, but this film might have a hard time in mainstream hollywood movies due to the religious content and heavy violence. Even still, I could see it being produced by Grindhouse, and directed by Quentin Tarantino or something. 

Superheroes!

I have never been one to draw traditional superheroes or care for the typical look of perfectly muscular macho / morally superior superheros, but this topic, 'Reconsidering the Superhero' is a topic I am most interested in. I love the nonconventional superheros and 'superhero stories'. Watchmen, Hellboy, Batwoman, and Neil Gaiman's 'Sandman', are examples of stories and superheroes I have always admired. I love Darwyn Cooke's work, especially in DC: The New Frontier (Side note: I got to have dinner with Darwyn Cooke and some artists after a convention, and along with his incredible work, is an awesome dude!) Anyway, the few specific examples I want to underline in this response are Watchmen, Hellboy and Batwoman. Alan Moore has a brilliant way of depicting superheroes in a very nonconformist manner. Along with the costume/aesthetic of his characters, it is their backstories that pull them out of the customary image and idea of superheroes. Unlike Superman, these heroes have real human weaknesses, their emotions sometimes conflict with their responsibilities as 'heroes', they became the people they are because of traumatic, disastrous and/or very real human experiences or accidents. They are individuals with very different looks and characteristics. My favorite Watchmen characters are Rorschach, Dr. Manhattan, and the Comedian (<Love/Hate relationship with him).

Rorschach is the Anti-hero, in that he is not nice, or handsome, or charming and lovable and definitely doesn't fit the standard of a conventional hero. He is fed up and tormented, and borderline psychotic. He does good because he feels that he has to, not because he wants recognition or reward.

Dr. Manhattan... I feel for him. a character living in a quantum universe would not perceive time with a linear perspective, which would influence the character's perception of human affairs. Moore also wanted to avoid creating an emotionless character. he sought for Dr. Manhattan to retain "human habits" and to grow away from them and humanity in general

Comedian could be describe as ruthless, cynical, and nihilistic, and yet capable of deeper insights than the others into the role of the costumed hero. I love his look, I love his attitude, I hate that he attempted to rape silk spectre though. -__-

Altogether, they are the Watchmen. Their story focuses on the personal development and moral struggles of the protagonists as an investigation into the murder of a government sponsored superhero pulls them out of retirement.


The next character I am most impressed with in terms of reinventing/reconsidering the superhero, is Batwoman. A character designed to completely change the conventional super hero. First and foremost she is a strong powerful woman. The modern Batwoman is written as being of Jewish descent and as a lesbian in an effort by DC editorial staff to diversify its publications and better connect to modern-day readership. Described as the highest-profile gay superhero to appear in stories published by DC, Batwoman's sexual orientation drew wide media attention following her reintroduction, as well as major praise and minor criticism from the general public. One of my favorite DC artists working on the newer Batwoman comics is JH Williams. His breaking up of panels and use of texture in the comics is phenomenal. I love the way Batwoman has been depicted in terms of looks (She is not overly sexualized), and designed as a human character with controversial personal/human qualities.

I started to develop my own character, Pigeon Girl (*laugh it up*), but she was a very serious character heavily influenced by both Watchmen and Batwoman. She had the attitude of Roarschach, the look of Batwoman, and powers similar to Night Owl's. She lives in a world comprised of rodents (rats, mice, vermin) and predominantly birds. Her villain was Vultress (who is later revealed to be Pigeon Girl's sister), and PG's sidekick is Diabla, a bitchy angsty motorbike-messanger who doesn't take anyone's shit. Anyway, it sounds ridiculous but don't all "Reconsidered Superheroes" at first?