Deconstructing Comics

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/08/persia-habibi.jpg)Call it Orientalism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orientalism), but Middle Eastern culture still carries a hint of romance in the Western imagination. This week, Tim and Brandon discuss two books in that vein: Prince of Persia, by Jordan Mechner, AB Sina, LeUyen Pham and Alex Puvilland, coasts on notions of romance and intrigue in ancient Persia; meanwhile, Habibi, by Craig Thompson, takes hold of Arabian Nights-type notions — as well as Islam — and uses them to express more universal themes. * G. Willow Wilson: Should Muslim readers steer clear? * Sean T. Collins: "This is not a book about Islam."

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/podcast/references/sdcc_3views.jpg)This week, Tim talks to three guys who participated in San Diego Comicon earlier this month, to see what their objectives were for being there, how it went, and their advice to SDCC newbies. Dale Wilson, who wrote up his experience (http://buyindiecomics.com/2012/san-diego-comic-con-mixed-feelings-is-an-understatement/) at BuyIndieComics.com, on why he left "unfulfilled" in some ways, but enjoyed it in other ways; Justin Hall, who we last talked to in March of last year (http://deconstructingcomics.com/?p=963), on promoting his Fantagraphics book "No Straight Lines (http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/comics-and-graphic-novels/2012/07/11/celebrate-history-queer-comics-no-straight)" and Prism Comics (http://prismcomics.org/), as well as the sideline indie comics gathering Trickster (http://trickstertrickster.com/); and Robert Roach (http://hometownprods.com/WebsiteOverhaul-March10/02-RDRArtMasterPageImages/02-RDRArtMasterPage.html), a veteran of San Diego tabling, on his Japanese influences, networking, and more.

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/podcast/references/kuzimu.jpg)This week Tim and Mulele puzzle over "Kuzimu (http://www.kuzimu.co.uk/)" by Brett Uren.

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/07/swampthing.jpg)Due perhaps to the passage of time, poorly handled reprinting by DC, or some other reason, Alan Moore's writing stint on "Swamp Thing" in the 1980s does not seem to get mentioned much today. Which is a shame, because it ranks with Moore's best work. And the art by Stephen Bissette and John Totleben (and able fill-in artists) is worth the price of admission by itself, not to mention Tatjana Wood's colors. Tim and Kumar had a blast reading the early issues of the run (#21-37) and are here to share the experience with you.

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/07/superhaters.jpg)Does "giving a critique" mean "stating an opinion"? Or, as some fans of a comic we discussed a few weeks ago imply, does it demand total objectivity? Is that even possible? And, by the way, what's the difference between a critique and a review? Tim and Mulele discuss these questions before going on to critique Super Haters (http://comics.superhaters.com/2012/05/super-haters-380.html) by Nick Marino and Justique Woolridge. Critique vs. Review: * writing.com (http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1168045-Review-Or-Critique-Which-Is-It) * ezinearticles.com (http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Difference-of-a-Critique-and-a-Review&id=4485131) * Andy Webb (http://andywebb.hubpages.com/hub/Movie-Reviewer-or-Movie-Critic-and-what-is-the-Difference)

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/07/dappermen.jpg)Return of the Dapper Men, by Jim McCann and Janet Lee (http://www.chapter16.org/content/time-savers), is a great-looking book, all cloth binding and gold foil. It has an unusual feel for a comic, being a work of decoupage. And the story... um... iFanboy book of the month (http://ifanboy.com/botm/book-of-the-month-return-of-the-dapper-men/), you say? Eisner Award winner (http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_11win.php), you say? Um... Tim and Brandon just ain't seeing it. Why is it so lauded? Also, Tim is joined by Mulele and Paul to critique a small stack of mini-comics, sent in by our friend Dale Wilson: * The Idealistic Bowling Pin, by Jake Borowski (http://jakeborowski.com/) and Evan Spears (http://erspears.deviantart.com/) * Drawhard, by John Narcomey (http://drawhard.com/) * Scared (http://tacocomics.wordpress.com/), by DCASTR and Josh Mihal * Dark Mouse (http://www.eyedraugh.blogspot.jp/2012/05/free-comics-friday-lbcex-recap.html), by Nathaniel Osollo * Hourly Comics, by Sheika Lugtu (http://omgcow.blogspot.jp/)

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/06/ugli.jpg)"Ugli Studios Presents" #1 gives us two stories: One about a cat (well, much more than a cat) who supports her "consort", The Necromancer, in battle -- "and my God, that artwork is epic!" -- followed by a science fiction story with a twist ending. Tim and Mulele critique.

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/06/daredevil-miller.jpg)More than 30 years ago, Frank Miller set the comics world on fire by turning Marvel's swashbuckling Daredevil title into a noir series with ninjas. More importantly, he took a serious look at some issues of crime and punishment, and his conclusions tended to veer left politically. Fast forward to his later career, and the views he expresses would be right at home on Fox News. What happened? Tim's brother Paul isn't sure he can answer that question, but he finds that early Daredevil run to still be very worthy of notice today, so much so that he's writing a book, for an academic publisher, about it. He fills Tim and Mulele in on his thoughts as he prepares to write...

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/06/cleveland.jpg)Harvey Pekar's latest (posthumously published, but perhaps not his final work) is "Cleveland", telling the story of Pekar's hometown and his place in it. While perhaps lacking in some of Pekar's strong points, it's nonetheless a compelling read. Joseph Remnant's art is by and large a great take on Pekar's vision. Tim and Kumar discuss. Comics Reporter interview with Joseph Remnant (http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_sunday_interview_joseph_remnant/)

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/06/akira.jpg)A retrospective exhibit of the art of Katsuhiro Ootomo (http://www.otomo-gengaten.jp/) was recently held (http://www.theverge.com/2012/4/13/2945289/akira-katsuhiro-otomo-exhibition-gengaten) in Tokyo. Ootomo (http://www.akira2019.com/katsuhiro-otomo.htm)'s work Akira is what inspired Mulele to come to Japan and learn to draw manga, so the exhibit was a chance to soak up inspiration and reflect on his current state of affairs. Patrik W, also an Ootomo fan from way back, attended and enjoyed. For Tim, not an Ootomo reader, it was a chance to see what he's been missing. Discussion ensues.

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/05/elbis.jpg)Over the years, Mulele has mentioned his Elbis project several times on the show. Created for Illustration Friday, developed for (but rejected by) Kodansha, the spiritual kittycat's story has found a home on paper thanks to DWAP Productions. This week, Mulele explains how the project started and developed, and where he's headed from here. Buy "Elbis" (http://buyindiecomics.com/2012/elbis-and-the-orphan-daughter-of-time-from-dwap-productions-by-mulele-jarvis/) Then, we catch up with DWAP (http://dwapproductions.com/)'s Dale Wilson, about how he picked up Elbis, as well as his new site BuyIndieComics.com (http://buyindiecomics.com/), and the state of indie comics in the States.

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/06/dreamkeepers.jpg)Dreamkeepers is an epic teen-furry-fantasy-adventure comic, clearly influenced by anime and/or Disney. Those are both its strong and weak points. Tim and Mulele examine examine volume 1 (and a bit of volume 2) of this tale by David Lillie, Liz Thomas, and David Higgenbotham, and ask the question: how does one differentiate between unwarranted publisher meddling with one's project, and useful advice that should be heeded? (Available on Graphicly, but the first volume can be read online for free (http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/GNVol1.php)!)

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/05/themaxx.png)Even amidst the anything-goes craziness of the early Image years, Sam Kieth's The Maxx was an outlier. While it included some superhero tropes, it wasn't really a superhero book, nor was it like much of anything else on the market, then or now. While it definitely has its weaknesses, Kumar and Dana confirm this week that it was absolutely mind-blowing...and emotionally affecting.

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/05/fables.jpg)FLASHBACK! Tim and Brandon discuss "Fables" vol 1 and the Fables graphic novel "1001 Nights of Snowfall", along with a detour into '90s Marvel! (Originally published January 1, 2007)

(http://deconstructingcomics.com/kumar/2012/05/cunningly.jpg)If you're looking for something new and different in comics, this week's critiqued book definitely delivers: Scott D. Finch (http://scottdavidfinch.com/#)'s "A Little World Made Cunningly" explores the author's "fascination" with Gnosticism. Now, if we only understood it... Tim and Mulele discuss. This book is available on Graphicly.com (http://graphicly.com/a-little-world/a-little-world-made-cunningly)!