On HU
In our Featured Archive post this week, Aaron Costain looked at comics and architectural drawings.
Erica Friedman on the continuing relevance of small presses.
I talk about Eugene Thacker’s In the Dust of the Planet and why we can’t escape the roaches.
Domingos Isabelinho discussed the work of Shannon Gerard.
Eric Berlatsky offered some sample Alan Moore quotes from the forthcoming (Updated: not forthcoming! already released!) volume Alan Moore: Conversations.
Nadim Damluji looked at Orientalism in Craig Thompson’s Habibi
Susan Kirtley discussed the greatness of Lynda Barry.
I reviewed Stephen Glain’s State and Defense and linked our empire to our national cowardice.
I looked at Orientalism in Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell’s Sandman story “Ramadan”.
And I posted a jangly pop mix download with the Bangles, Beatles, Bee Gees, and more.
Utilitarians Everywhere
For Splice Today I reviewed Kate Beaton’s new Hark a Vagrant! collection.
And also for Splice I looked at Alan Wolfe’s new book Political Evil
Other Links
Robert Stanley Martin reviews Howard Chaykin’s American Flagg over at Pol Culture.
Shannon Smith has a really amusing breakdown of the new Animal Man #1
At Splice Today, Tripp Weber argues that Wikipedia needs advertising.
Craig Fischer talks about Pluto and doubling in his new TCJ column.
Tucker Stone does what he does, and Mr. Terrific sounds horrible.
Damn, Noah. I thought for sure if someone were going to not like Beaton’s work it would be you. Am I the only person who just doesn’t see the appeal?
I have reservations; that review isn’t entirely positive.
She makes me laugh, and I think she’s smart, and I like her art. But I’d agree she’s overhyped. Like I say in the review, she’s glib and her schtick is limited. She’s enough like Gary Larson that I like her, but she’s definitely not Gary Larson.
You should write about her for us, though!
I seriously thought about doing what Tucker does every week for the DC reboot. I was going to read every new DC comic (or at least the big titles) and write short blurbs about them.
Then I read Justice League #1, and I realized that there was no way I could read 52 books like this.
Basically what I’m saying is that Tucker Stone must have balls of steel and a stomach of lead.
I am constantly amazed at Tucker’s fortitude. He suffers for his art, there’s no doubt about it.
To be fair, I’ve seen a couple people say that JL #1 was particularly horrible, and that there are some books that are better. Shannon’s discussion of Animal Man #1 makes that book look utterly bearable. I still don’t want to read it, but I would rather read it than undergo minor elective surgery, which is not so much the case for things like Red Hood or Mr. Terrific.
“You should write about her for us, though!”
I’ve not read enough to have much to say. I follow links to her site occasionally to see what I’m missing, and then I’m: “ho hum, that was mildly amusing.” I guess I understand why people like the work, but I don’t get why they are such rabid fans.
My book is not forthcoming, but has already come forth!
Action Comics #1 wasn’t bad. It adds a bit more verve to Supes and some touches of the Socialist Superman of the 1930’s. Luthor seems to be used the way he should be used and has lost a couple hundred pounds since I last saw him. It’s not revolutionary or anything, but it’s a pretty decent Superhero comic. The art isn’t anything to write home about, but it gets the job done. I haven’t tried any of the others…
Action seems to be cited as one of the better titles, FWIW.
Re: the image above. ADOLF HITLER IS TIRED OF TRYING TO REASON WITH YOU PEOPLE!!!
You need to photoshop that and turn it into an internet meme, Bert.