Readers, I’m a comic book fan. Now, I don’t mean that in any sort of “I’m-a-superhero-enthusiast” kind of way.
No. I love the art of comic literature.
And some of it is just that – literature. And that’s not just limited to the standard defenses of comic book culture – Alan Moore’s/Dave Gibbon’s “Watchmen” comes to mind as well as Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns.”
Great works. Incredible. They’re the best gateways for anyone who has never picked up a comic in their life to find a way into the world of slash panels, speech bubbles and heroes in ink.
Not only that, they also make commentary on the world as it is, or rather as it was (both works were published in the mid-to-late 80s).
Almost more importantly than being great commentaries, they prove that comics can indeed rise above pulp and become the modern mythical literature of our time.
“The Dark Knight Returns” is a not-so-veiled criticism of Ronald Reagan’s presidency set against the backdrop of a weary Gotham City and an even wearier Batman who, at age 50, is teetering on suicidal.
“Watchmen” is a scathing critique of Cold War politics drawn through a lens of super-anti-heroes who, despite having been outlawed by the government, still fight for justice in their own twisted way.
It’s a daring book that questions the entire superhero mythos by asking “Who’s watching the Watchmen” or “Who is watching those who say they are heroes and are protecting us.”
Why do I stress these two works? Well, first, they’re both widely regarded as two of the greatest graphic novels of all time. Second, they validate a medium that I think is often thought of as a children’s medium.
I’m not going to say that comics aren’t for kids.
I understand that the general audience for most comic books is 9-12 years-old. But there are adult works out there; they should be sought out and read by all who want a colorful way to experience the most underrated form of popular literature.
(P.S. Both “Watchmen” and “The Dark Knight Returns” should be read by mature readers only.)
We value superhero movies in our society, but for some reason the books themselves have a nerd-stigma about them.
Why is it OK that a person can go see Captain America: The Winter Soldier and it can make a gazillion dollars world-wide, but reading a Cap comic could brand someone a dork for life?
Some of the most valued social criticisms/apologies/analysis I’ve ever read have been done through the art of the comic book.
Chris Claremont’s/John Byrne’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past” is probably one of the most fun exploration and criticism of post-JFK politics that has ever been put to paper.
“Batman: No Man’s Land” (varying writers and illustrators) is a gripping and sorrowful lament of the US government’s inept handling of natural disasters both at home and around the world.
Let’s just be honest, the fact that graphic novels have pictures give some people the opinion that these books cannot contain gripping words and engaging stories.
I’ve read comics with more depth and attention to large societal needs than quite a few works of “classic” literature.
So before you think that comics are just kid stuff, remember that there are brains behind the pages of some of those books.
Brian Laughran
Senior Viewpoints Editor
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