Thought: Read the comics which no one reads.
May 28th, 2010Recently, I had an interesting conversation with a comic book shop owner (forgot the name of the shop but it’s located at Atria Shopping Centre, Damansara Jaya). We started off talking about about whats currently interesting in the world of comics; The Avengers, Captain America, Kick Ass, etc. Also spoke on Mark Miller, Alan Moore, Neil Gaimen, etc.
In the midst of our conversation, he introduced to me, Miracleman (which I’m currently reading). He too told me of the awesomeness of Kick Ass and also Wanted in comic book form. But he told me something which caught my attention. ‘Read the comics which no one reads. Sometimes, they are the best around.’
Which means, no Spiderman to start with. And all that mainstream madness which Wolverine Origins, X-men, all that DC Batman, Superman stuff. But why?
Probably they are less bound by commercial success?
Perhaps the ideas are fresher?
Maybe the public just can’t accept it?
It’s always cooler to be associated with something of the cult culture anyways.
Whatever it is, I do appreciate and enjoy the drama and complications which a good comic book can deliver. The CMYK inked, simplified cartoon drawings, saddle stitched, cartoon-like pictures in thin-issued-slightly-smaller-than-A4-size paper feels good in my hands. Furthermore brought to life by complicated and sometimes broken characters, unjustified storyline and oh, the value of a first edition of collectors items. Not to forget the corny part where the girlfriends of our beloved heroes are always caught in between the final battle scene. Funtastic.
