Speculative Friction:
a blog of comics and literary criticism written by Bill Baker

3-29-06

Another fairly good week. Work interspersed with some catch-up on "real life" concerns of no real interest to anyone but myself, and even some badly needed spring cleaning and such. Also, I finally got back to watching episodes of Kimba the White Lion from The Right Stuf's really nice complete box set. This early example of anime was, along with another of Tezuka's fine creations, Astro Boy, served as my introduction to that particular genre of animation. And both of those series made a big impression on me, it was Kimba which provided some of the most enduring media memories of my early childhood. Osamu Tezuka and company introduced Americans to a vibrant art form, and it's a real pleasure to finally see both creator and creation get some well deserved loving treatment regarding presentation, remastering, etc. The Right Stuf collection has a lot of good things about it, and offers a lot of classic all ages entertainment bang for the bucks invested. [You'll find more info on this seminal television series at www.RightStuf.com and via the "buy the video" Amazon.com link elsewhere on this page.]

Seeing these adventures again has been thought provoking on a number of levels, too. There's the whole "seeing it with new eyes" aspect, which ironically comes with the passage of time and the accumulation of experience, as well as the bitter and sweet long forgotten memories and associations which reaquaintance with our past can give rise and life to. There's the whole camp aspect of it, as well as real, often visceral excitement and enjoyment of the story as an entertainment vehicle. And there's also a sense of strange magics at work, sometimes, as the child within sits wondering at actually living in a version of the future he once imagined and longed for, one in which he could enjoy his favorite entertainments of the past any time opportunity and the mood presented itself.

But one of the loudest and noisiest of "echoes" has been the inner critic, who can't but help take this beloved stuff apart and examining its still-steaming entrails, parsing for hidden meanings and methodologies at work beneath Kimba's immaculate mane. And the show does actually prove to be exceptional fodder for critical investigation of all manner of approach. In fact, I discovered quite quickly that Kimba and his crew's antics could be examined and essayed using any number of approaches. It also makes for a fun round of a game I like to call "stupid lit-crit tricks".

Basically, what you do is take apart whatever entertainment you happen to have before you in as many ways, using as many different established or newly-created theoretical approaches and viewpoints, as possible during the time allotted. So, looking at Kimba the White Lion, I've decided that it works on a general level as a Pro-Western polemic, with the educated and thus more civilized, Kimba espousing the adoption of modern methods in all areas and aspects of his animal kingdom, from instituting and supporting central rule of law and establishment of the various institutions [post offices, schools, etc.] which support that kind of government. Give that same viewpoint a real twist, pointing out that these unnatural systems are replacing native institutions and methods in order to colonize that same kingdom.

Or you could take a Neo-Con approach, and see Kimba as the brave son left to soldier on in his father's stead, bringing the rule of law and a fledgling form of democracy to an unenlightened land. Even given the show's central concern with peace and compromise between people as well as between people and animals, it's almost a tailor made allegory for George W's administration. On the other hand, there's always the feminist viewpoint, which might posit that the show is really about the supremacy of a patriarchal power, since many of the female characters are shown as powerless, or obsessive and abusive of power, and even unable to properly raise their young, be they human or animal. And I could go on, really.

The possible critical reactions to almost any piece of art is limitless. The point is not to search for any particular viewpoint or approach which might be "right"; rather, it's about just seeing how many different ways you can examine the same story, and what the resulting viewpoints have to say about the work under question. Now, there's any number of lenses with which you can examine a book, movie, record or comic, and each person will, inevitably, put their own personal spin on any approach they're using to examine that work. And that opinion can change over time, too, adding still more variables to the mix. Again, it's not a question of which viewpoints or insights might be "right" or "wrong", but more about being able to see it in a new light.

This little exercise has provided me with any number of interesting and worthwhile insights into whatever form of art or entertainment I might be enjoying at the time...along with more than a few hours of mental fun. And it helps keep that 25th viewing of the "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" episodes of The Simpsons entertaining, and even somewhat educationamable.

No, really it does.

Well, enough of those stupid tricks. Here are some more feats of mental daring...


What's Bill been reading this week?

3-22-06 to 3-28-06


Action Comics # 837
The second part of Geoff Johns, Kurt Busiek, Pete Woods and company's tale focusing on the adventures of a de-powered Superman living a full and dangerous life as Clark Kent, ace report, continues to deliver some truly fun and surprising moments. Also features guest appearances by two heroes, Hawkgirl and Green Lantern Hal Jordan, who play fairly major roles in the proceedings. Really entertaining, exceptionally fine mainstream superhero comics.
The latest issue of DC's long-running monthly Action Comics hosts the second part of the "Up, Up, and Away" arc featuring the ex-Man of Steel
www.DCcomics.com


Robin # 148
This "One Year Later" tale starts with a punch, kick starting the new adventures of Tim Drake as Robin by placing him at the scene of a murder--and the victim is apparently Batgirl. Well done noir-tinged teenaged super heroics, with some teeth and legs to it. As at least one scene in this book will attest, this incarnation of Robin has begun to establish himself as a capable individual and even a *gasp!* young man. Good to see the character growing in significant and even telling ways.
DC Comics' Robin comes of age in the latest issue of his self-titled monthly book
www.DCcomics.com


Green Lantern # 10
So Hal Jordan is back in the Green Lantern Corps, and he's under a lot of pressure already in this "One Year Later" tale. And it only looks to get worse, as Jordan is placed in direct conflict with old comrades over jurisdictional questions during his missions on earth. And things only promise to get worse. At least Hal's got luck with the ladies, right? Knowing writer Geoff Johns, there's probably a good subplot hidden there, too. Good, solid scripting by Johns is graced with some fine, even exceptional art by Ivan Reis, Marc Campos and the rest of the GL team.
The tenth issue of DC's monthly Green Lantern features the long-awaited return of Hal Jordan to the title
www.DCcomics.com


Blue Beetle # 1
Launched quite literally from the pages of Infinite Crisis and associated titles, this new incarnation of Blue Beetle bears little to no resemblance to past versions by DC, or even the original Charlton character. This Beetle, a typical high school teen named Jaime, is more possessed by his magical scarab than he truly possesses or controls it, a fact which is ably demonstrated throughout the issue in various ways. Still, some of the best parts of this whole book were the moments that took place in the "real world" Jaime inhabited before discovering the scarab. A promising, if bit disjointed, debut.
The first issue of new monthly Blue Beetle was written by Keith Giffen and John Rogers, with art, etc. by Cully Hammer and friends
www.DCcomics.com

Testament # 4
This issue starts with violence and a miracle, and ends with the promise of a very big bang. Along the way, it strikes the perfect balance between building suspense and furthering the story, all the while giving the reader something astonishingly fun and easy to read. Just when you think that Douglass Rushkoff, Liam Sharp and company can't top themselves, they do. This is a truly adult comic: Risky, sexy, exciting and mature minded in all the best senses. I honestly can't rave enough about this series, and what these folks are doing with the comic medium. My highest recommendations.
The fourth issue of the monthly comic from Vertigo designed, in the words of creator Douglas Rushkoff, to allow readers to "hack the Bible" and reality itself
www.VertigoComics.com


Brownsville
The latest addition to NBM's solid Comics Lit line of graphic novels is an extended look at the rise and fall of the Jewish Gangster during the course of the last century by concentrating on the activities of the men behind one of the most notorious and deadly of gangland institutions: Murder, Inc. As conceived by Neil Kleid and realized in black and white by Jake Allen, we see the what's in the hearts of the men behind the crimes, the rivalries and strange, very uneasy compromises that this profession required of its workers, along with how life might have been for them. As much an elegy for a time and place as it is an examination and fictional presentation of a near-mythic part of America's story we all should know and remember, this will prove rewarding reading for those who love good historical fiction, as well as fans of true and fictional crime stories. Or for those looking for a well done graphic novel to read. Really good work, and something of which everyone involved should be extremely proud.
NBM graphic novel chronicling the lives of the some of the most famous gangsters during the 1930s, and beyond
www.NBMpublishing.com