Maus was intense. The battle between this man, his guilt, his father, and history is an epic and gut-wrenching tale. The Holocaust rarely seems so real and poignant as when you get to experience it, albeit it from another man's eyes. The betrayal and vileness of the people in the books is sickening, and though there was kindness, it sad and painful to think about how the human race is so quick to hate. Vladek himself is a strange character. Being so saddened about the history he survived and yet still so caught up in it. A racist, a penny-pincher, but also, so ready to do what he needed for his family.
The writer in the book is just as much a bi-polar character as his father. He forces his father to relive these tales of the war, yet is harsh, belittling, and even aggressive towards his father. He may have become like this from years of interacting with the man, but it still was strange to see. Mala was perhaps the most conflicted character of the modern day. She seemed like such a nice person whenever Artie was speaking with her, but at some point, it really did become all about the money, and then she had a heart and moved back in with Vladek.
Of all the main characters of the story, Anja was perhaps the most flat character, which was strange, given her importance to the writer and to the father. She was a beacon of hope but really, had little to describe herself. The change from memory to modern day and the second person narration gives a buffer for the horrors of Vladek's memories, and makes them perceivable from a more objective view, allowing you to understand and view the horrors, without having to immerse yourself in them.
I think I'd have to say that I both loved and hated to read Maus. It was a powerful experience, reveling in the grit of humanities history, and the effect it has had, but also dealing with the healing power of love and forgiveness.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Underground Comics
This week I read over Mr. Natural, Tits and Clits, Zap, and Gay Comix
I have to say that they were quite a collection of odd, sometimes grotesque displays, and very often offensive and then, significantly more rare there were some that were touching, education, and heartwarming... or at least, comforting in some manner. Those touching ones was limited to Gay, and Tits.
Mr. Natural was perhaps the strangest. Overall, I feel as though there was little point to Mr. Natural, or rather, perhaps, that it wasn't intended for me as audience. I wouldn't say I was an all traditional southern gentleman (being gay, furry, and any number of things that break me with tradition), but I'm not very anti-government, anti-police, or any number of punk themes found in Mr. Natural. That being said, some of it was entertaining. More often than not, it was just horribly offensive.
The Tits and Clits comics were entertaining, seemed to relate a lot to the Gay Comix, though from a purely feminine view. Though definitely not my type of interest, I figured I'd be fair and give it a try. I found them entertaining, and had some heartfelt stories in it. I enjoyed the humor to be found, especially in the sex addict story.
Zap at least announced itself as a comic based simple around irreverence. Which made it's comics entertaining and quickly forgotten for the most part. I didn't find them particularly memorable other than the strange premise (Meatballs, Desert Dwellers, The Checkered Demon). I still have to say that the underground comics are rather hit or miss with me. Again, perhaps I'm just not the right audience.
The Gay Comix were more my speed, though it seemed there was little to be learned from the comics. As the community is prone to creating, most of it was sex centric (which is to be expected given the title of the comic). That's not really a bad thing, but the question of intent comes up. I ponder the reasons it was made. Granted, in the furry community, the art is still very sex centric. Was it a community sharing stories kind of thing, or just smut? I enjoyed the story about the girl worrying about coming out to her mother, who was also a lesbian. It hit home, as I'm often pulled away from my boyfriend by my family, who doesn't know I'm gay or with someone.
I have to say that they were quite a collection of odd, sometimes grotesque displays, and very often offensive and then, significantly more rare there were some that were touching, education, and heartwarming... or at least, comforting in some manner. Those touching ones was limited to Gay, and Tits.
Mr. Natural was perhaps the strangest. Overall, I feel as though there was little point to Mr. Natural, or rather, perhaps, that it wasn't intended for me as audience. I wouldn't say I was an all traditional southern gentleman (being gay, furry, and any number of things that break me with tradition), but I'm not very anti-government, anti-police, or any number of punk themes found in Mr. Natural. That being said, some of it was entertaining. More often than not, it was just horribly offensive.
The Tits and Clits comics were entertaining, seemed to relate a lot to the Gay Comix, though from a purely feminine view. Though definitely not my type of interest, I figured I'd be fair and give it a try. I found them entertaining, and had some heartfelt stories in it. I enjoyed the humor to be found, especially in the sex addict story.
Zap at least announced itself as a comic based simple around irreverence. Which made it's comics entertaining and quickly forgotten for the most part. I didn't find them particularly memorable other than the strange premise (Meatballs, Desert Dwellers, The Checkered Demon). I still have to say that the underground comics are rather hit or miss with me. Again, perhaps I'm just not the right audience.
The Gay Comix were more my speed, though it seemed there was little to be learned from the comics. As the community is prone to creating, most of it was sex centric (which is to be expected given the title of the comic). That's not really a bad thing, but the question of intent comes up. I ponder the reasons it was made. Granted, in the furry community, the art is still very sex centric. Was it a community sharing stories kind of thing, or just smut? I enjoyed the story about the girl worrying about coming out to her mother, who was also a lesbian. It hit home, as I'm often pulled away from my boyfriend by my family, who doesn't know I'm gay or with someone.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Carl Banks and Donald Duck
The comics dealing with Donald Duck seemed much like the shorts I've seen. Donald, letting arrogance get the best of him continually makes an ass of himself while his nephews manage to succeed where he failed, and then, are nice enough to get him out of trouble. It seems an old hat story formula, but understandably, the comics are old.
I wonder if there are any of these shorts that actually got animated. For the most part, every comic seems to end neatly, needing no more resolution. This allowed each to flow seamlessly from one to another, which was good for me, since I wasn't reading them in order. It also meant that there was no overarching plot. The characters don't evolve much at all, meaning the things that Donald does remain borderline idiotic and he never learns his lesson, but this also allows the comic to continue. Some of the adventures are a bit crazy, such as the adventure to South Africa, but it's all in the name of good fun. I find it odd, perhaps, that the source of so many movies with morals as the main point would produce so much that has little to do with morals, or even a point.
I had never read these comics or any Disney comics before and they were definitely entertaining. It's also entertaining to see the Disney logotype become bigger over time, as it gets further into the future and as Disney becomes bigger.
I wonder if there are any of these shorts that actually got animated. For the most part, every comic seems to end neatly, needing no more resolution. This allowed each to flow seamlessly from one to another, which was good for me, since I wasn't reading them in order. It also meant that there was no overarching plot. The characters don't evolve much at all, meaning the things that Donald does remain borderline idiotic and he never learns his lesson, but this also allows the comic to continue. Some of the adventures are a bit crazy, such as the adventure to South Africa, but it's all in the name of good fun. I find it odd, perhaps, that the source of so many movies with morals as the main point would produce so much that has little to do with morals, or even a point.
I had never read these comics or any Disney comics before and they were definitely entertaining. It's also entertaining to see the Disney logotype become bigger over time, as it gets further into the future and as Disney becomes bigger.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Blankets
Blankets was an excellent piece of art. It moved me with the main character, feeling his triumphs, guilt, pain, pleasure, and regret. The flow of the comic gave you a wonderful view into his life.
I have to say that so many of the scenes where Craig was plagued by the doubts, worries, and spirits of his imagination, his guilt, his sin, it reminded me of myself... The religious tones of the story reflect that of my own life, finding that religion gave form to my life at one point in time, and then, quickly, began to eat away at the self I discovered. His exploration of the world as a religious child makes the world seem cruel, envious, and decaying, when in the end, it was the religious message that missed its mark. The "real-life" message, not the one in the comic.
The exploration of adolescent lust, love, and temptation, and dissolution was so eloquently done, its a maze of empathic expression. Though our own stories differ, often, we find the elements ring true regardless of the little details that make them unique. It's a comfort to see the ways things could have been, were, or could be. Meanwhile, it's a greater comfort to know that there are others, that you are never alone. Your experience is unique, but the feeling is universal. I'd say almost, but the universal in this sense is hopeful for all of humanity.
The only downfall of Blankets is that the medium in which it is conveyed often guarantees the sympathy of its readers. Not to say that people who read comics or graphic novels are all romantics, or nerds, or outcasts, but it seems that the love of the written word, and of art, fall to those who are more interested in the world beyond their experience. If the jocks, and bullies, and rednecks, the people who made Craig's life miserable (and my life miserable for some period of time) were to read this novel, I don't see how they couldn't be irrevocably changed... but my knowledge of the human mind and psyche tells me that no change would occur, that they would avoid the novel or that its multitude of messages would fall on deaf ears. It saddens me to no end the despair caused by man to their fellow man.
But, as the story goes, it's about faith, not the way in which it comes about, or the trials the ensue. Without some sort of faith, faith in yourself, God, or others, life leads so often to despair or cruelty. I warmed my heart to see that despite all that Craig did, and endured, and the pain (even unknown) he inflicted on others, he kept the blanket. It meant everything to her as a connection to him, and though he burned her picture and all the stuff of hers that he had, he kept that symbol, that comfort. Which, I feel, we all need. Not a blanket, but rather our Blanket. The thing, person, idea, or ideal that comforts us. Makes life bearable, livable, even... happy.
I have to say that so many of the scenes where Craig was plagued by the doubts, worries, and spirits of his imagination, his guilt, his sin, it reminded me of myself... The religious tones of the story reflect that of my own life, finding that religion gave form to my life at one point in time, and then, quickly, began to eat away at the self I discovered. His exploration of the world as a religious child makes the world seem cruel, envious, and decaying, when in the end, it was the religious message that missed its mark. The "real-life" message, not the one in the comic.
The exploration of adolescent lust, love, and temptation, and dissolution was so eloquently done, its a maze of empathic expression. Though our own stories differ, often, we find the elements ring true regardless of the little details that make them unique. It's a comfort to see the ways things could have been, were, or could be. Meanwhile, it's a greater comfort to know that there are others, that you are never alone. Your experience is unique, but the feeling is universal. I'd say almost, but the universal in this sense is hopeful for all of humanity.
The only downfall of Blankets is that the medium in which it is conveyed often guarantees the sympathy of its readers. Not to say that people who read comics or graphic novels are all romantics, or nerds, or outcasts, but it seems that the love of the written word, and of art, fall to those who are more interested in the world beyond their experience. If the jocks, and bullies, and rednecks, the people who made Craig's life miserable (and my life miserable for some period of time) were to read this novel, I don't see how they couldn't be irrevocably changed... but my knowledge of the human mind and psyche tells me that no change would occur, that they would avoid the novel or that its multitude of messages would fall on deaf ears. It saddens me to no end the despair caused by man to their fellow man.
But, as the story goes, it's about faith, not the way in which it comes about, or the trials the ensue. Without some sort of faith, faith in yourself, God, or others, life leads so often to despair or cruelty. I warmed my heart to see that despite all that Craig did, and endured, and the pain (even unknown) he inflicted on others, he kept the blanket. It meant everything to her as a connection to him, and though he burned her picture and all the stuff of hers that he had, he kept that symbol, that comfort. Which, I feel, we all need. Not a blanket, but rather our Blanket. The thing, person, idea, or ideal that comforts us. Makes life bearable, livable, even... happy.
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