Stop Crying Wolf!

courtesy Image

Why do we read comics? Is it to read a good story, to be moved like we would if we were reading literature? Or are you an art connoisseur, and you read to see illustrations?

While many comic fans pretend to understand and be art experts, the main reason we read comics is for the good story. And good stories need characters we care about, characters established so the writer can then utilize them in new situations that tell great stories.

I’ve defended Robert Kirkman’s use of large sections of dialog because I know that all the talking has a legitimate point. He had to take time to wind up his toys so he could let them go, and Astounding Wolf-Man #8 panders to those people who read but hate reading. Compared to other Kirkman titles, this issue has little dialog. The characters are already established so long-winded speeches aren’t needed.

Kudos, Mr. Kirkman. Now let me interview you!

Brit was Robert Kirkman and Image’s way of testing the market to see how well Kirkman’s other hero properties would fair in the wake of Invincible’s success. The book has sold well, and is continuing past the 6th issue and planting itself as a monthly series. Now one has to ask, does this book deliver on all that and Invincible promises?

Of course it does! Kirkman’s super hero books operate on several levels, delivering a commentary/homage on classic comic formulae, providing crazy ideas and characters, and developing his own unique characters and universe. The latter is the strongest aspect to Kirkman’s writing. What some critics decry as too much dialog is actually great character building interactions that allow the reader more access to the people and who they are, which makes the reader more invested in the story, even after a few pages.

Brit #7 specifically did disappoint me a little bit, but only because the last issue promised an altercation between Invincible and Kirkman’s other heroes, Astonishing Wolf-Man and Tech Jacket. #7 only had Invincible attacking Brit, and under a different pretense (though the gay alien spider was a great pretense). So far this book has done a good job of not fully relying on Invincible and establishing itself as an easily accessible, comical action book. Trades are great, but I’d get the individual issues of this one.

image courtesy Image

Beginning on Thursday and concluding today, this convention was hosted in Rosemont, up in Chicago. Compared to earlier this year’s New York Comic Con, WizardWorld was a more laid back experience, where speakers and company reps spoke more candidly and seemed less stressed. This was a far better fan experience than New York, and while writers and such qualified every secret with “We’ll be revealing in San Diego”, there was less showmanship - sensationalism geared at new projects - and more reflection on the medium, at least in the sessions.

I saw the hilarious Robert Kirkman and a retrospective on Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev’s Daredevil. I also got to see the Marvel and DC panels, as well as the first ever Marvel & DC panel, where Bendis, Brian Reed, and C.B. Cebulski sat with Gail Simone and Geoff Johns to talk about what they liked about the other company. I would have seen more, but I could only attend Friday, as some of my friends were so inconsiderate that they just had to get married this weekend. Read the rest of this entry »