For an introduction to this voting exercise, please see the article posted yesterday. The jurors were Derik Badman, Melinda Beasi, Johanna Draper Carlson, Shaenon K. Garrity, Tim Hodler, Chris Mautner and Bill Randall. They have been encouraged to post their personal choices (with accompanying remarks) on their own websites.
SIX VOTES
(1) Jason Thompson: The Other Love that Dare Not Speak Its Name (and other articles)
The jurors agreed to consolidate their votes into a single article. Other articles by Thompson which received interest were his pieces on Morality in Action Comics, Ceres: Celestial Legend and Happy Mania. His articles appear regularly at Anime News Network where his column “House of 1000 Manga” is published weekly. At least one of the jurors considers him the best writer on manga today. Voice your assent (or dissent for that matter) here.
FIVE VOTES
(1) Katherine Dacey on Ayako
Dacey is a mainstay of the manga blogosphere. Once again, the jurors decided to consolidate their votes into a single piece. The other article which received favorable attention was Dacey’s review of Sexy Voice and Robo & Harriet the Spy. Let her know which one you prefer.
(2) Joe McCulloch: Essay on Thought Balloons (The Problem with American Vampires is that Just Don’t Think”)
This is Jog’s second year on this list. The bulk of Jog’s writing is for the web and this appears to be both a conscious decision and a sign of the times. Now writing at Comics Comics, his output has slowed if compared to his days at Jog the Blog. This article was a strong early contender for the final list. Other articles of note in 2010 include his review of Alan Moore’s Neonomicon and his survey of the “comics” of Peter Greenaway. There can be little doubt that he is one of the most popular writers on comics working today.
FOUR VOTES
(1) Craig Fischer on David Mazzucchelli (Born Again Again).
Fischer is an Associate Professor of English at Appalachian State University. He also writes frequently about comics and film for academic venues. Does this mean he was slumming when he decided to write this piece on Mazzucchelli’s Asterios Polyp for this blog? Perish the thought!
THREE VOTES
(1) David Bordwell on Hergé (Tintinopolis)
Judging by the frequency with which his blog is linked to by various comics bloggers, Bordwell would appear to be a favorite for his thoughts on film and criticism in general.
(2) Dirk Deppey: The Mirror of Male-Love Love
This is Deppey’s second time on the list. He got on the list last year for his editorial on Paul Levitz which would be more accurately labeled as industry commentary. There’s no mistaking this year’s entry which may well be his most memorable article on comics in recent memory.
(3) Ken Parille: Casper, Formalism, and the ‘Great’ Search Party
Parille is an Assistant Professor of English at East Carolina University and is considered by some to be the foremost expert on the comics of Dan Clowes. No one practices the art of comics close reading as assiduously as Parille. The vote was initially split between Parille’s Casper piece and his review of Charles Burns’ X’ed Out. My personal preference is for the “losing” piece which at this point in time appears to be one of the few substantial reviews of Burns’ comic out there.
LINKS
(1) Derik Badman’s personal choices
(2) Melinda Beasi on the list and her choices
(3) Johanna Draper Carlson on the list and her choices
(4) Shaenon Garrity on the list and her choices
(5) Tim Hodler on the list and his choices
(6) Chris Mautner on the list and his choices
(7) Bill Randall on the list and his choices
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A few comments (since my post was very brief):
Jason Thompson: His article always make me want to read the manga he’s writing about, even when it seems like something I wouldn’t like. I ended up buying a volume of Happy Mania after reading his piece on the series.
I really loved Katherine Dacey’s Ayako piece. It’s the only piece I’ve seen on that series that added something to me reading/understanding of the book.
I’m a big fan of David Bordwell’s work (online and his books), I think there is a lot to learn in re comics from his film work. Particularly his attention to close readings and historical/technological factors influencing style.
Ken Parille’s post on X’ed Out made me want to read that book even though I was underwhelmed by Black Hole and turned off by the serialized approach to the new series. Though, in the end, serialization won out, and I’m waiting to see what the word is when the second volume appears.
I was really disappointed no one else selected Valentina Zanca on Dino Buzzatti’s Poem Strip, perhaps my opinion of the piece was aided by having actual read the book under review. Another case where I felt the review added to my understanding/appreciation of the book.
Thank you for the link to Jason Thompson’s House of 1000 Manga! I love his writing and didn’t realize that he had a column on ANN.
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Thank you for the kind words — and I hate to appear ungracious — but my essay’s actual title is “The Mirror of Male-Love Love.”
My apologies, Dirk. It has been corrected.
Derik, on the Poem Strip review, I actually submitted it to the jury and then delisted it at the last minute. It’s quite a good essay– but it felt too glib at the end? Perhaps my mistake.
That said, I was pleased to find so many fine pieces outside the normal comics blogosphere– Bordwell, Zanca, Garry Wills in NYRB, Ariel Schrag in AfterEllen, etc.
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It was a surprise and an honor to be included in this fine roster of critics. Although I’m a comics fan, I’m not an expert. So it’s rewarding to learn that some of the skills involved in studying cinema can be brought to bear on the pictorial storytelling we find in comic art. I’m also grateful for the judges’ explaining their other choices: Now I have a lot of intriguing writing to catch up with. Thank you very much!
Thanks, everyone! I’m honored to be chosen, and grateful that you decided to count votes for my separate pieces as votes for some sort of collective Thompson-ness.
I’m grateful too, for the attention and kind words, and I’m flattered to be on a list with all these terrific writers..!
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Suat and the judges,
Thanks for all of the effort and for including me on the list.
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