US History, Politics, and a Schizophrenic Old Man

It's been way too long since I've posted here.  Between the start of school and working on a master's degree, I've (unfortunately) not had the time that I would like to have to read comics.  So, while I try to get caught up on current events in the Marvel and DC Universes...I thought I'd talk about one of the best graphic novels that I've ever read.

Uncle Sam, written by Steve Darnall and (the amazing) Alex Ross, takes the reader on a journey through American history though the eyes of a man who may be either Uncle Sam, the incarnate spirit of the United States, or a homeless man with significant mental disorders.  Uncle Sam begins with the titular character depicted as a bum, dressed in ragged (yet still flamboyantly patriotic) clothes.  As he has flashbacks that place him in a variety of historical settings, ranging from the American revolution and Shay's rebellion to the civil rights era and assassination of JFK, Sam finds himself wondering what has happened to the United States.

Uncle Sam is not your typical comic book.  It's a look at the United States and the history of our country at both its best and its worst.  Kirkus Reviews called it "a damning account of American political history that also affirms basic democratic ideals."  This comic book carries more intellectual baggage that many things that I've read.  Darnall and Ross manage to force the reader to think long and hard about the nature of the United States; what it was meant to be, what it is, and the disparity between those things.

While the artwork is beautiful, what struck me most were the thought provoking lines of internal dialogue that Sam has during his flashbacks.  The most haunting line comes as Sam finds himself at the site of the Kennedy assassination, sitting in the presidential convertible, alongside Jacqueline Kennedy.  "Ask not what your country's done for you -- ask what your country's done to you."

Sam's odyssey through both history and present day ultimately culminates with his own self-searching discussions with a number of other incarnations of modern nations.  Finally, feeling himself again, Sam confronts a twisted, ultra-capitalist, super-consumer parody of himself.  The final battle is a climax fitting for this book that is more loaded with symbolism than most literary works.

Overall, I highly recommend this graphic novel to anyone with an interest in U.S. history or politics.  It's a deep read with many points that I think are relevant to our current political climate.  Even though it was written in 1998.

Batcave? Fortress of Solitude? Avengers Mansion? No, Thanks - I'll Hang at the Comic Shop.

Best Part of Wayne Manor? Definitely the Basement.

So, I'm going to deviate from my norm here just a little bit (and apparently slip into '90's slang if my post title is any indication).  Normally, I'd talk about some comics or a graphic novel that I've read lately.  That's coming; I've got a few in mind and might even do one later tonight. However, I was thinking this week and realized that while I've talked comics, I haven't talked about something that's really key to comic culture - the local comic shop.

I realize that not everyone has one.  Some prefer to get comics through mail order or subscription services. Ebay has, literally, millions of comics for sale at any given time.  But I think that there's something to be said for going to the comic shop.

One thing that the Batcave could have used

I remember being a kid (it was a lot like now, but everything was taller and I had slightly less money) and riding my bike to 7/11 to pick up a comic book.  I still have the comics that I bought then - even the copy of Kindred #1 with the scuffed up cover that I was carrying when I fell off my bike (public service announcement: don't read comics and ride).  7/11 was okay, but the one spinning rack wasn't really a comic shop. When I could convince my parents to drive me, Graham Cracker comics in Bloomingdale (long gone - I think it's a Lou Malnati's now) was the first real comic shop that I ever saw.  It wasn't big, but it had racks across all of the walls filled with current comics.  The center of the store had an island of tables with boxes and boxes of back issues.  And, of course, the requisite 25 cent bin.

Potential Gold Mine or Waste of Time?
There is No Right Answer

It's probably been 20 years since I shopped at Graham Cracker.  It wasn't until a few years ago (with a renewed interest in comics) that I found some of the local shops around me.  It's amazing how little has changed.

I still love going to the comic book shop.  There's something about the smell of the newsprint, the shelves filled with colorful covers, and the stacks of old comics to dig through.  Sure, some things are different - there's more emphasis on gaming than I remember, action figures (collectibles) line some of the walls now, but the comics are still the star of the show.  But still, the comic shop is an experience.  And, for many comic book geeks, allows at least some less awkward social interaction.

My favorite shops are both in Schaumburg, so it's a little bit of a time investment for me to get there, but it's well worth it.  If you're looking to check one out, I'd point you toward either one.

Keith's Komix on Roselle Road is my most recent discovery.  Tucked away in a strip mall at the corner of Roselle and Weathersfield, Keith's storefront windows are decorated with lifesize superheroes in the window.  My kids love the opportunity to see the large Hulk and Thor as we walk in.  The set up at Keith's is one of the most spacious comic shops I've seen.  The store is larger than most.  With walls dedicated to comics, graphic novels, and gaming supplies, it seems unlikely that you would be looking for anything they don't carry.  Their back issue collection is also extensive with boxes upon boxes arranged near the back wall of the store.  The staff know their stuff and can help you out with most questions or requests.  I can't say enough good things about Keith's.

Dreamland Comics, on Schaumburg Road, just west of Schaumburg High School, is another favorite of mine, though construction has kept me from going recently.  While smaller, Dreamland is well organized and carries just about as many things as Keith's.  The real draw at Dreamland is the constant sale on graphic novels - typically 20 - 30% off cover price.  Dreamland also offers a great subscription service - 35% off cover price of any comic subscriptions (minimum 5 titles).  I've been using their subscription service on and off for a few years and have had no complaints.

The local comic shop used to be the way to get comics (short of actually setting up a subscription through a publisher).  As more mail order services pop up and digital comics become more prevalent, I'm not sure what the future holds for actual storefronts.  I have to think that they'll still survive.  They'll find a way to adapt.  After all, just as Batman needs the Batcave and the Hulk needs whatever ditch he happens to pass out in before turning back into Bruce Banner, comic readers need the local comic shop.

Am I Evil? - A Closer Look at Supervillainy

Pictured above: Evil?

The perfect setting for supervillainy

This past week I've been in a small cabin on the shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota with my wife and kids.  It's a great week to relax and unwind as we watch summer wind down.  However, my wife's extended family also joins us in the neighboring cabins, bringing a wonderful kind of lunacy to the week as well.  I was playing (not necessarily voluntarily) with two of my wife's cousin's children - Teagan (8) and Jace (6) and the idea for this entry is, in part, thanks to them.

Teagan, being an inquisitive 8-year-old, was going from adult to adult asking, "What are you doing?"  Since I enjoy confusing children, I responded with "trying to take over the world."  This, in turn, led to Teagan and Jace spending the next half hour climbing all over me in an effort to thwart my evil plans.  At the end of our time, Teagan asked me, "Why don't you join the good side?"

My reply: "What makes you think I'm not the good side?"  This, of course, was met with a blank stare.

Now that I've shared my brief family anecdote, let me bring this into what you're here for: comic books.

The real stars of the blog

I recently read two graphic novels by Brian Azzarello: Luthor and Joker.  Each of these focuses on a villain from the DC Universe; the archenemies of Superman and Batman, respectively.  What struck me as I read these was the strikingly different portrayals of these two signature villains.

The most frightening man to ever
wear a purple suit.

In reading Joker, it's made clear that the title villain is clearly a sociopath.  There is no greater purpose behind his villainy other than personal gain.  Joker is evil for evil's sake.  Azzarello does a masterful job portraying the controlled chaos that the Joker personifies.  I especially enjoyed the more realistic, less campy version of the Joker that Azzarello brings into his depiction.  This Joker is similar to Heath Ledger's portrayal in The Dark Knight rather than Cesear Romero's slapstick version from the 1960's Batman television show.  Azzarello's Joker is a great character study of one of DC's most prolific and, arguably, most depraved villains that explores the basic nature of the character's evil.  Be forewarned, this novel is intended for more mature readers and does contain somewhat more brutal violence than typical Batman comics.

A study in biased pictures

As much as I enjoyed reading Joker and generally prefer Batman to Superman, Luthor and Azzarello's treatment of Superman's nemesis was, in my opinion, the superior graphic novel.  Lex Luthor is depicted as something more than just a force of evil.  Azzarello focuses on Luthor's intense distrust of the alien that has taken public opinion by storm.  The book is best summarized in Luthor's statement to Superman - "All men are created equal.  You are not a man."

Comics at their best:
Philosophy with pictures

Lex is shown in turns as generous, obsessive, loyal, protective, and evil.  His illegal union busting as he works to complete a construction project stands in stark contrast to his obtaining a scholarship to a prestigious school for a janitor's son.  The nuanced and complex portrayal of Luthor leaves the reader wondering, is Luthor really a villain?  Are his aims truly evil?

So, I'll turn the question to you, what makes a villain?  What draws the line that tells us that Lex Luthor is evil, while Superman is good?  Is there a definite line or, as recent comics and other media suggest, is the line blurring?

Bumping Off the Blind Superhero: A Review of Daredevil - End of Days

So, I promised that I'd do this and it's taken me longer than I had hoped, but here we go.  Marvel recently published an eight-part mini-series starring the man without fear, Daredevil.  However, I think it "starring" might be an overstatement.

Daredevil: End of Days is the most recent effort by Marvel to break from the on-going series canon (though writer Brian Bendis asserts that this is part of the continuity) and jump to the end of the line for a given character.  Marvel has been doing this type of thing since the late 90's for various characters.  Sometimes the story takes the mini-series format, as it has with Daredevil, and sometimes the story is confined to a one-shot (single issue).

While the concept isn't new, Brian Bendis and David Mack take this story further than most "the end" stories go. The length of the mini-series (8 issues) is longer than most of Marvel's similar works.  Honestly, the length of the story appealed to me.  As I've said before, I like Daredevil and think that he's underrated by many readers.  Bendis and Mack took time to develop a solid story.

The story itself follows a complex series of twists.  I mentioned earlier that it may be a stretch to say that Daredevil "stars" in this mini-series.  While his name is on the cover, he's also dead before the middle of the first issue.

Not what one might expect of a title character

Daredevil's death, rather than serving as the culmination of the series, is the catalyst of the events that follow. The real focal point of the series is Daily Bugle reporter Ben Urich, one of a very few people who actually knew that Matt Murdock was Daredevil.  While Urich has played a key role in several of Marvel's titles and interacts with a number of superheroes, he's not really what one might expect as the lead character of a series.

Marvel's least likely hero (possibly excluding Squirrel Girl)

Urich's goal over the course of the series is to track down the meaning of Daredevil's last word: "Mapone."  In his efforts to discover the secret behind who or what "Mapone" is, Urich interacts with a variety of characters from the Daredevil comics.  His interviews with key figures from the Marvel universe provide the forward progress for much of the story line.  Personally, I found his interview with the Punisher to be a highlight in the series.  The further Urich gets in his search, the more mysterious things get.  While I don't want to spoil the storyline for you, let me assure you that Daredevil is not the only character to die in the End of Days storyline - he's merely the first.  As Urich digs deeper and the body count climbs, a new Daredevil emerges as well - one who tracks Ben and seems to watch over him as something of a guardian angel (or guardian devil).

The noir feel that the story takes on worked for me.  I've always enjoyed the "street-level" heroes and the true-crime feel that their stories tend to take on.  The mystery in Daredevil: End of Days sells the story. While I won't reveal it here, the revelations at the end of the series in issues 7 and 8 worked well and resolved the story in a satisfying way.  End of Days received extremely positive reviews and I agree with those wholeheartedly.  This mini-series doesn't require much background knowledge from the reader and serves as a solid stand-alone story.

The original run of the mini-series started in October of 2012 and ended in June of 2013, so issues should still be fairly available in most comic shops.  The entire series was also released as a graphic novel this month and is readily available both in stores and on-line.

As always, feel free to post your thoughts, especially if you've had a chance to read End of Days or if you want to discuss part of the story.

Rise of the Reboots - DC's New 52 and Marvel Now!

Pictured Above: Average Comic Fan Response to Change

Avid comic fans know it. The hardest thing about being a dedicated comic reader is having to deal with comic publishers who make seemingly bone-headed decisions and alter their fictional universes on a whim, destroying years of continuity to make things fresh and draw new readers.  Often the backlash can be brutal (nothing rages like a pack of dedicated comic book geeks and yes, I speak from experience).

Number of Times Peter Parker Held a Gun to a Villain's Head: 0
Pictured Above: Not Peter Parker

Most recently, Marvel has seen criticism from their controversial questionable ill-advised downright stupid decision to turn The Amazing Spider-man on its head.  For those of you who aren't following Spider-man, Marvel decided to cut off The Amazing Spider-man at issue 700.  And they ended in spectacular fashion: by killing Peter Parker.  The icing on the cake is that now Dr. Octopus, one of Spider-man's signature villains, arguably second only to the Green Goblin, is now inhabiting Peter Parker's body and living his life as the Superior Spider-man.  Yes, Spider-man fans now get to watch one of his greatest villains - a character they've been trained to hate - play hero on a monthly basis.  This has been going on for about seven months.  I'm fairly certain the flow of death threats mailed/tweeted to Marvel's offices and/or writer Dan Slott has tapered off.

While The Superior Spider-man represents a reboot facing serious criticism, not every reboot is a bad idea. Both Marvel and DC Comics, two of the largest comic publishers in the US, launched large scale reboots of their publications within the last two years.  In 2011, DC launched the New 52 in a series of "waves" as they restarted numbering on all of their popular series at 1.  Marvel followed a similar path in 2012 with its Marvel Now line the restarted several popular storylines, though not every publication that they produce.

While everything has good and bad to it, I've personally found a fair amount to be happy with in both series of reboots.  One of the biggest positives (in my opinion) is the convenient jumping on point that these reboots provide for potential readers.  It's overwhelming to jump into a story that literally has decades of convoluted backstory.  The reboots offer friendly starts for people that don't have the detailed background of a die-hard fan.  And really, at the end of the day, writers and artists want their work to be accessible.  If potential readers are turned off by something, consideration should be made as to how to grow readership.  It can be done while maintaining the integrity of the underlying story.  DC, in my opinion, has done a great job of maintaining the integrity of their characters while going into the rebooted titles (this time around, at least).

Pictured Above: Not maintaining the Integrity of a Character

But now it's time to turn the question on you - what do you think of the concept of the reboot?  Is it acceptable to occasionally "reset" reality to avoid making work inaccessible?  Or does it cheapen the overall integrity of the art/story?

Coming soon: more discussion of specific titles in the New 52 and Marvel Now and that review of Daredevil: End of Days that I promised you about a week ago.  Really.  I promise.

Spider-man Sighting

And this is what happens when I learn something new and get to mess around with it.  Yes, there's no real point to this posting.  I was going to take it down, but I think I'll leave it for a while.

Scared of Clowns, Allergic to Rocks, and Other Heroic Flaws

Every hero has some type of flaw - a weakness that exists as a counterbalance to their superhuman powers.  Flawed heroes are common in literature.  The tradition dates back to ancient civilizations.  Achilles with his vulnerable heel is the most obvious example, but there are plenty of others.  Why is it that, as humans, we seem to have an inherent need to attribute flaws to our heroes?

In considering the comics that I enjoy most, I find myself drawn to the most flawed figures.  At the risk of turning the comments for this post into a literal stream of flame, I'll admit that I've never really been a big fan of Superman.  It's really for a simple reason: he's too perfect.  Think about it.  Superman's invulnerable (except to an ultra-rare rock), can fly, can move at supersonic speeds, possesses inhuman strength, has heat vision and x-ray vision (I wonder how many times he scorched a wall learning to change between the two), and, my personal favorite on the ridiculous factor, has super-breath.  I contend that Superman is what you would get if you asked a 6 year old to design a superhero.

Unfortunately, he does not handle criticism well.

So, now that I've had my mini-rant, what do I prefer?  There are a lot of answers, but I'd like to focus on one that I've really developed more respect for recently: Daredevil.

Seen here on a lunch break

For those of you unfamiliar with Matt Murdock (Daredevil), he was blinded as a child when radioactive material fell from a truck involved in a near-accident (which Matt helped to prevent) .  He lost his sight, but all of his other senses reached superhuman levels.  Daredevil has the most obvious flaw of any comic hero, but I think it serves to make him all the more intriguing.  I wonder if his ability to triumph over his adversity makes him more inspiring and/or understandable as an authentic character.

If you've ever read Daredevil with any consistency, you are aware that for some reason he's essentially Marvel Comics' tragic figure.  He's had little more than a constant stream of tragedies make up his backstory.  His father, an amateur boxer, was killed for not throwing a fight.  Every love interest he has had ends up either dead or insane.  His "secret" identity is common knowledge.  The most recent storyline in the current volume of Daredevil has him being slowly driven insane by a complex plot orchestrated by a villain that was supposedly killed.  The highlight of Daredevil's life was probably being blinded.

This should not be part of the high point of your life.

It seems like Daredevil's entire purpose is to suffer.  Somehow, though, that just makes him more interesting. What do you think?  Is the flawed hero better than a perfected one?  Do we need our heroes to have weaknesses?

If you're interested in reading any Daredevil, I highly recommend Ed Brubaker's work on the series, which can be found in graphic novel form.  The current incarnation of the comic, written by Mark Waid, is also quite engaging and can serve as a good jumping on point for those unfamiliar with Daredevil's history.  Finally, Frank Miller's early work on the series, specifically the "Born Again" storyline is considered to be some of the best of the comic, offering a retelling of Daredevil's origins and the basis of his war with his primary villain, the Kingpin.  Lastly, I would recommend the recent mini-series from Marvel, Daredevil: End of Days, which tells the story of Daredevil's death.  I'll be posting a review of this mini-series soon.