With some minor editorialising. 1975: The Russian mutant Colossus, Piotr Rasputin, joins the X-Men in America. 1978: Colossus enjoys some sex with two women of the Savage Land.
I Shouldn’t Mention Thunderbirds: Pop Culture References in Dialogue
It’s easy to be cynical about pop culture references in dialogue. It’s easy, and often enough, it’s fair. I don’t much need to explain why. What I do want to consider is an example of the opposite, when a pop culture reference in a piece of written dialogue becomes intensely concentrated communication, contextually useful and…
Mermaid Project: Whiteness and Capitalism in a Soft Cyberpunk Murder Mystery
Mermaid Project Volume 1 Leo & Fred Simon & Corine Jamar, Europe Comics, izneo.com IZNEO HAS PROVIDED WWAC WITH A VIP ACCESS PASS. Mermaid Project tracks a young woman trying to prove herself as a detective in the Paris of the near future. She becomes unexpectedly linked to an international, industrial scandal and is sent to America…
Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Comics
Corpse Talk: Ground-Breaking Women Adam and Lisa Murphy Phoenix at David Fickling Books, March 1st 2018 There are children for whom this will rank among the most valuable books of their lives, and it only costs ten pounds (penny change). I appreciate this is an introduction with what’s perhaps offputting grandeur, but I’m afraid I…
Bloodshot Salvation #7 Dances in the Dark
Bloodshot Salvation #7 Jeff Lemire (writer, illustrator) Valiant March 7th 2018 Ohhh hey now, Valiant is being cute again!
Hire this Hero: Slyde This Résumé by Headmistress Pryde
Adam? Adam X? We haven’t seen you around here for—ohhh, gosh, I beg your pardon, sir! I mistook you for a friend of a friend. It’s easy to do, I’m sorry. People kind of have a habit of turning up here after a long time. Often in pretty rough shape! Oh, I beg your pardon,…
Come On, Vogue: Extreme Soviet Superheroics in 1995
It is not impossible to create a comic book of quality around a Soviet teenager defecting in desperation, moving to America, growing up beautiful, and becoming an employee of the US government who takes gymnastic spy assignments. I can say this in confidence having enjoyed Aymond and Van Hamme’s Lady S (Dupuis, published in translation by…
He Yams What He Yam: Discovering Popeye Through Popeye Otaku
There is nothing more convincing than conviction. Who has it? Fans have it. I want to introduce you to a fan I know—a fan whose pure enthusiasm’s already had me buying three separate, rather large books. His name is Troy, but he goes by Popeye Otaku. He loves Popeye. On twitter he lives Popeye, using…
Nothing You Can Say Can Tear Me Away From My Guy: Semi-Radical Romance Comics
There’s nothing like a good bit of media to bring to mind a good bit of criticism—to deepen it, to clarify. There’s nothing like freedom to remind you of discipline—how it works, which parts help you grow, which parts curtail. I read a lot of comics made for mean slutty girls, and I had to…
BOOM! Bar: 2018 in Licences Vs Creator-Owned Comics
A short week to ease us back in! Yes, friends, foes, readers—it’s been a while. I took a Christmas break that became a year-start break. I feel much better. I’m ready. I’m prepared. Let’s begin. The last week of January sees BOOM! birth six releases: three single issues, two softcover collections, and one hardcover. Of…
Previously on Comics: Cultural Change
The Prism Comics Queer Press Grant submissions period remains open until the last day of February (that’s the 28th . . . just in case). Get yourself two thousand dollars and some PR help—it’s worth a punt. Further details are at the link: go! Kelly Thompson has been secured by an exclusive agreement with Marvel, hiking…
Be Exceptional: Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon #1-3
Erik Larsen’s Savage Dragon #1-3 was a 1992 miniseries that served to launch Larsen’s cartoonist career under the brand-new Image banner. Already a professional, having worked on various indies and as a penciller (and even cartooned Spider-Man) at Marvel, his “Dragon” was also previously “established” in 80s indie publications Graphic Fantasy and Megaton. Larsen takes great…