Week Eight

I read "King" this week and was pleasantly surprised that it didnt bore me. Most of the time, if I already know about something I do not want to hear about it again but this put MLK in a different perspective for me. We are all taught about MLK in school and the civil rights movement but how much of that stays with us? "King" takes the audience into the Life of Martin which is something that the history books dont give us.

The three volumes each differ in how they are put together but all three have silhouette characters that remind me a lot of linoleum prints. The drawings are plane like with hard edges, something that is a personal favorite of mine. The third book had more color than the first two. I wonder if it was to add drama and evoke more emotion from the audience when MLK is shot. Not to say that I dont like the color, it is actually one of my favorite parts of the third book. Washes of color over the drawings that set the mood for the panel but dont go too into detail.

Week Seven

Maus is different than any other graphic novel I have read. At first, I was a little bored with it but as the story progressed I found that I really enjoyed reading it. This isnt a light-hearted read that most people think of when they think of comics or graphic novels. However, I dont mind that.

What was really interesting is that, to me, it seemed like the story could be written without the pictures and it would still be interesting. But the illustrations really did make it a compelling read. I liked that Art used animals to deal with stereotypes, it made the character interactions more interesting to me. Using mice and cats was clever, people easily recognize the relationship between them. By using those animals it puts people in the mindset that these two groups of people were really enemies and there is no mistaking it.

Week Six

Underground comics themselves don t shock me, what does surprise me is the fact that they are still around and so widely accepted. I am not a huge fan of the really raunchy comics like "Tits and Clits", I prefer ones like Dirty Duck and Mr. Natural. Neither comic tries to show sex on every panel but instead has a mature humor that keeps me on my toes. Dirty Duck is quick witted and I get the feeling that he's well educated but, he throws that away in favor of being vulgar and sarcastic. I find myself re-reading some of the dialogue just because I didnt quite get it the first time through. I like those comics, raunchy and mature with a quick wit that makes you think.

Week Five

In most graphic novels and comic I see, there are usually test boxes. I found it interesting that in "Contract with God" the text was free floating. Some of the text is also illustrated which you don't see too much of anymore. I like the drawings, they remind me of copper etchings. The first story was interesting, I didnt like the character but I suppose thats okay, I think as long as the author can make you feel for a character they are doing their job.

In the Street Singer, I am particularly fond of the way the singer ignores the Diva's boasting. It made me laugh a little that she was trying so hard and he was just focusing on his food. But then again, he acts like he doesn't care about anything in life except food and booze. Wow, I can honestly say that i didnt like any of the characters but I do like the novel. It does a good job of making you sympathize with the characters then dropping you completely by killing them or making them into horrible people. Its hard to like some of his characters because of this.

Other than being on the fence with the characters I really liked this novel. It shoes the gritty and unpleasant side to life that happens to everyone. I noticed that jews were a common theme throughout the book, did Eisner do that because of the times he grew up in or was it for a different reason.