On HU
Featured Archive Post: Comics vs. Fashion editorials.
Kim O’Connor with a brief take on Bianca Bangarelli’s brief comic “Fish”.
Conseula Francis and Qiana Whitted on the disappointing ending to the story of the black Captain America in Truth.
Kim O’Connor on R. Crumb’s unpleasant influence on comics criticism.
Ng Suat Tong on crying at the skating drama “Ice Castles.”
Alex Buchet on Sherlock Holmes and the women.
Adrielle Mitchell on science comics and page layout.
Chris Gavaler on Pride and Prejudice and Superman.
Utilitarians Everywhere
At the Atlantic:
— I tell Gene Simmons that rock isn’t dead.
—I interviewed Beverly Tatum, the president of Spelman, about race and education.
—I review the documentary “Take Me To the River” and explain why Britney pops up in a film about Memphis soul.
At Pacific Standard I talk about Mike Brown, “no angel”, Harriet Beecher Stowe and stereotypes of black men.
At Splice Today I talk about:
— Air Supply, the Beach Boys, and the virtues of musical inauthenticity.
— how I could been a thespian.
At the Reader I have a short review of rapper Lizzie, who is great.
The Gone With the Wind study guide I worked on for Shmoop is online.
Other Links
Can’t remember if I posted this before, but I really like this piece by Alice Bolin on Miranda Lambert and Beyonce.
Dee Lockett on FKA Twigs.
Amanda Hess on Taylor Swift.
And Fantagraphics is going to publish Fukitor, if folks want to talk about that.
When I was growing up we had a family friend who was the local folkie. She hated electric/electronic instruments, and resorted to amplification only on an as-needed basis. She hosted hootenannies where she’d strum her ukulele and lead the crowd in Pete Seeger faves and beloved hymns.
When Air Supply came to town, she begged everyone to go. She rhapsodized about how they didn’t use synthesizers, and were doing an acoustic tour. “The fact that they’re playing The Tivoli (the local “class” venue) instead of the arena speaks volumes” she said. She was always more of a New Christie Minstrels type than a murder ballad aficionado, so maybe there’s a connection between folk-schmaltz and pop-schmaltz that made Air Supply seem like The Real Thing.
Hah! I was thinking that air supply is very folk revival. They’re better than Pete Seeger, at least.