Q: Do you ever think you might be missing something in comic books?
In my entire life, I've read:- A dozen Richie Rich/Casper the Friendly Ghost/Donald Duck comics that belonged to my cousin Mark (age 6)- Most of the Tintin series (age 9)- Most of the Obelix series (age 15)- 1 comic book that a friend of my wife's illustrated (age 26)There may be a handful of others, but that's basically it. I write them off as for and of dorks.But then there are people, people whom I admire (Patton Oswalt, Tom Sharpling, etc) who seem ferociously rabid about comic books. There are entire stores that sell just comics. I walk in them to sort of get the smell of the place and then walk out either unimpressed or overwhelmed.But am I missing something? Is this a classic Duh? If someone pointed me to the right comic to start with, would I be hooked forever?Just wondering.
-Richey Rich, age 35
Ty: Good question and even better observations.
I am am a lot like you. Well, at least, was. I wasn't into the action/adventure comics as a child. I was more into the funny ones like Richey Rich, Casper, Archie, and Wendy the Good Little Witch. I dabbled in Spider-man, but mostly in the daily newspaper comic forum.
But, something happened to me as an adult and I don't remember what it was. I was right around 40 and had no interest in comics, comic books, or graphic novels. I think Onstad/Achewood or Hello, Johnson may have had something to do with softening my stance. But, I somehow got on to one single, solitary Chris Ware piece maybe it was something in the New Yorker, I don't remember. And, that, like my first hit of crack or meth, was my huge Duh! moment for me.
Immediately I could not get enough. It was air, it was water. I just got it, man. By now I've read everything from Jimmy Corrigan to Rusty Brown; the ACME stuff, Qumiby, and Super-Man. All of that shit. I just get it.
I'm not sure what attracted me first, the clean, perfect style (early 20th century aesthetic) or the sheer irony of the wicked tragedy of the stories. Fucking goddamn brilliant stuff. I own a whole collection of it.
From there, I seriously got into Daniel Clowes Mister Wonderful series from the New York Times magazine. So good, so tragic. I've also given a nod of appreciation to -- also from NYT magazine -- Megan Kelso's Wagergate Sue and SETH's George Sprott series.
But what was most moving to me and my relationship to comics/graphic novels was the graphic novel Epileptic by David B. It was there I said, oh, this is what this all about.
Now, I cannot shake that comics and graphic novels are of and for dorks, no can I dispute that. But, I suppose I'm part dork in some ways then. I know some stuff, it's what rounds me out. It's not like I'm hanging out in the comic books store or anything, that's for dorks.
I don't know if you'll be hooked for life, but I can recommend the Ware stuff and Epileptic, for sure. There's a subtle art and finesse that make it so worth it, even if it's for a brief dip.
Just a guess.
-ty
Posts
