REVIEW: “The Horned God”

from Savage Sword of Conan #162

story by Charles Dixon, art by Jorge Zaffino

Marvel Comics, July 1989.

I’m not really even going to review this comic. I’m just going to talk about comics in general.

Every once in a while I hear people talking about the writing and art in comics as completely separate entities. I always snicker to myself and think that you simply can’t do that because in comics the art IS the story and the story IS the art. In comics you read the art. You can’t rate the story a “7” and the art a “3.” They are the same thing. You have to rate the COMIC a “7” or a “3” or whatever. Continue reading REVIEW: “The Horned God”

MAKING COMICS: TOOLS (PART I)

Welcome back! Did you all do your homework? Did you check out Scott McCloud’s book, Making Comics? Hmm? I’m going to have to call your mothers and check in on you—make sure you’re consuming a healthy comics diet. We’ll get to that in a minute.

NEWS

It’s been a long week, and there continue to be exciting things happening in the comic world, including the passing of Steve Jobs—a visionary who has made sharing comics on our digital devices possible. Little Island Comics (the first kids’ comic book store in North America) is now officially open, and getting great reviews. The second installment of Emily Carroll’s 5-part mini comic Margot’s Room is live on her blog, and will continue until the last week of October. Craig Thompson’s Habibi has spread like wildfire, igniting reviews, conversations, and presentations at APE, the Cartoon Art Museum, and bookstores across the U.S. DC’s reboot has caused quite a stir, losing some faithful readers and gaining some new ones. Comic anthologies such as Aftershock: Artists Respond to Disaster in Japan, and Cartoonists Against Bullying (still looking for more comics submissions, btw), are providing aid to victims of disasters and bullying. It’s an exciting time for comics—both for reading and making them.

Continue reading MAKING COMICS: TOOLS (PART I)

#298 What makes a good villain?

VillainsVillains we love to hate! Villains who could have been good guys but made bad choices! What makes the more interesting villain? Are the two types mutually exclusive? Why are some villains really compelling, while others become the butt of jokes? What makes a villain menacing? How is it different in comics compared to movies or TV? Tim and newcomer Kevin Horton discuss.

Other discussions of this question:

Critiquing Comics 009: “Chafed” and “Kid with a Cape”

Kid with a CapeThis week we tackle a couple of recent mini-comics: Chafed by James Mitchell and Evan Spears, and Kid with a Cape by Dave Castro. We also touch on how to pull off a successful first issue, and one possible future for US mainstream comics.

“Chafed” on Deviant Art (registration required to bypass adults-only filter)

“Kid with a Cape” (info on issue 2)

#297 When genres collide: “Anya’s Ghost” and “Heavy Liquid”

Heavy Liquid & Anya's GhostTim and Brandon take on two graphic novels: First, Vera Brosgol’s ghost/coming to America/coming-of-age story “Anya’s Ghost”; then, Paul Pope’s sci-fi/relationship/drug story “Heavy Liquid”.

So, you want to make comics?

Creating ComicsHave you ever read a comic and pored over the beautiful drawings, or wondered why those colored dots disappeared, or how many people it took to write, draw, print, publish and send out the comic? Have you ever thought of making your own comic?


Continue reading So, you want to make comics?

REVIEW: Monstrosis #1

by Chris Wisnia

SLG Publishing, 2011

Black & White

One of the big news stories this past week was Dan Vado’s announcement that SLG Publishing was completely phasing out print floppies and switching to digital for their 20-pagers. Which means that you’ll have to get yourself to a computer to read this fine, fine comic (and this review!). Note that downloading Monstrosis #1 is FREE from SLG’s website.

Continue reading REVIEW: Monstrosis #1

#296 Little Orphan Annie

Harold Gray’s Little Orphan Annie debuted in 1924 and was a big success. FDR having not yet turned him against organized labor, Gray shows hardworking Annie going on strike in one of her many jobs. Tim and Kumar discuss the ’20s strips, their strengths and idiosyncrasies (one strip=one day?!), and how Gray’s outlook changed later.

The Eternal Orphan (stevestiles.com)

Legends Revealed! (comicbookresources.com)