tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147491672024-03-14T03:43:48.695+08:00NonSensical WordsMeaningless rants about comics and stuffMichael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comBlogger1361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-47005519186619865292018-02-28T00:00:00.000+08:002018-03-04T23:21:57.385+08:00More NonSense: 10th Anniversary Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmAUsFDBhUJqdEMoEZGKYjMi6uFbwA3_EC1WdOE2sPTgp84V8f9pmqBNGjukxgexYXHrKDMd-B9PuzgVX_eTHpxtNz3D8i4LLlidhnfDLFzNCjnOUKeKLLiLQCnVWuc3Ntnc7VA/s1600/imore-iphonepromod.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Pixel Project: Comic: Only the Fastest Mac For Me!, by Rich Stevens." border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmAUsFDBhUJqdEMoEZGKYjMi6uFbwA3_EC1WdOE2sPTgp84V8f9pmqBNGjukxgexYXHrKDMd-B9PuzgVX_eTHpxtNz3D8i4LLlidhnfDLFzNCjnOUKeKLLiLQCnVWuc3Ntnc7VA/s1600/imore-iphonepromod.png" title="The Pixel Project: Comic: Only the Fastest Mac For Me!, by Rich Stevens." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.imore.com/comic-only-fastest-mac-me" target="_blank">The Pixel Project</a></div>
<br />
February marks ten years of this blog's existence. Unfortunately, I won't be able to sustain it for much longer. Computers cost money, which is in short supply right now. And my present machine is in desperate need of repairs I can't afford. So I don't know how long before I can get things sorted out. This could be the occasion where I decide it's just not worth the effort to carry on. But let's get on with this month's news before I go, for now.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/valiant-acquired-by-dmg-entertainment-comic-book-shake-up-1078980" target="_blank">DMG Entertainment has purchased Valiant</a>. Strangely, I can't seem to care given the publisher's relatively small profile.<br />
<br />
Forbes has an article on longtime Marvel scribe <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/markhughes/2018/02/01/exclusive-bendis-to-write-superman-revive-jinxworld-and-oversee-new-custom-imprint-at-dc-comics/#5bed95dc5c40" target="_blank">Brian Michael Bendis</a> and his move to DC, a deal which also includes the transfer of his creator-owned titles to the new publisher.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It just so happened I was back in Cleveland for the first time in years for my brother's wedding, when the offer was put forth [by DC]. I went to visit my friend John [Skrtic] who runs the Cleveland public library — we grew up together — and he had a Superman exhibition. And I walked in there and it was like the universe was speaking to me, telling me 'Oh you've got to do this!' And it flooded back to me in the biggest way possible, and here we are." ... </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Number one, DC is going to be hosting Jinxworld as a whole," he said, "so everything I've ever done in the creator-owned world will be coming to DC. And on top of that, we’ll be debuting brand new material, brand new series that I think will be exciting for the marketplace and for fans, stuff I haven't tried before and stuff people have been begging us for. We'll be debuting that all this year." </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"And number two," Bendis continued, "separate from Jinxworld, is that I will be hosting and curating an imprint, a custom imprint not unlike what Gerard Way is doing with [DC imprint] Young Animal. It's going to be a select series of special comics, and we'll debut what those are later in the year. I'll be writing some of those and curating the others, but they'll all be under this imprint and add a very special flavor to the DC Universe. I'm happy to say it will star some of my all-time favorite DC characters in unique situations, and that I could not be more excited for."</blockquote>
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/01/26/at-89-today-is-jules-feiffer-our-greatest-living-cartoonist/?utm_term=.6bed44ba6279" target="_blank">Jules Feiffer</a> profiled by Michael Cavna.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5NSsi7f07KIin3o9igrxVLFN2v2jjH1sV3PFy6s42xNcEjQG0-pUV-ywxAc7ty6XGJeYgemm0QMzWzQNG73VmW5Ho5V0yKc7uDSF4_QkL4A3WkC0elC7Bh0WJZy1Nfj0dqNUkA/s1600/Black+Panther+%25282018%2529+Dora+Milaje.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt=" Black Panther (2018), directed by Ryan Coogler." border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5NSsi7f07KIin3o9igrxVLFN2v2jjH1sV3PFy6s42xNcEjQG0-pUV-ywxAc7ty6XGJeYgemm0QMzWzQNG73VmW5Ho5V0yKc7uDSF4_QkL4A3WkC0elC7Bh0WJZy1Nfj0dqNUkA/s1600/Black+Panther+%25282018%2529+Dora+Milaje.jpg" title=" Black Panther (2018), directed by Ryan Coogler." width="540" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.theroot.com/the-wonder-of-wakanda-how-this-black-utopian-space-is-1822938854">The Dora Milaje</a>, from Black Panther (2018).</div>
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As the latest entry from a Marvel Cinematic Universe currently celebrating its first decade, Black Panther is more than just a superhero film. Its <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2018/02/black-panther-stalks-a-usd200-million-presidents-day-weekend-box-office-haul.html" target="_blank">impressive </a><a href="http://variety.com/2018/film/news/black-panther-box-office-move-diversity-1202710282/" target="_blank">box office</a> numbers have shattered Hollywood conventional wisdom that blockbusters staring people of color can't succeed financially.
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<br />
But as the first film in a successful franchise fronted by a powerful black man and a phalanx of <a href="https://www.tor.com/2018/02/19/sleeps-with-monsters-the-women-of-black-panther-are-amazing/" target="_blank">formidable</a> and <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/black-panther-is-groundbreaking-but-its-shuri-who-could-change-the-world/" target="_blank">inspiring</a> women, Black Panther came in with higher expectations than simply making back its expenses. And in this regard, it also succeeded. The MCU has dealt with politics before, notably with terrorism and imperialism. However, politics is at the heart of this film. Black Panther tackles an array of issues with surprising poignancy: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/black-panther-and-the-invention-of-africa" target="_blank">Pan Africanism</a>, the <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2018/02/an-interview-with-black-panthers-dialect-coach.html" target="_blank">African</a> <a href="https://www.tor.com/2018/02/20/black-panther-is-far-more-than-just-a-comic-book-movie/" target="_blank">diaspora</a>, <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/black-panthers-killmonger-is-everyone-who-loves-wakanda-1822972609" target="_blank">slavery</a>, <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-internet-s-favorite-black-panther-fans-talk-about-f-1823190395" target="_blank">racism</a>, <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/black-women-are-black-panthers-mightiest-heroes-1823205912" target="_blank">isolationism</a>, <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2018/02/what-black-panther-could-mean-for-the-afrofuturism-movement.html" target="_blank">Afrofuturism</a>, even as it leans hard into Stan Lee's and <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/how-black-panther-actors-compare-to-comics-counterparts.html" target="_blank">Jack Kirby's</a> <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2018/02/does-black-panther-say-vibranium-as-much-as-avatar-says-unobtanium.html" target="_blank">goofy</a> sci-fi ideas. This results in a film where the primary antagonist <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/black-panthers-killmonger-is-everyone-who-loves-wakanda-1822972609" target="_blank">Erik Killmonger</a> isn't your standard world-conquering villain, but a revolutionary backed by justifiable grievances, even as his toxic masculinity obviously undermines the very legitimacy of his extremist methods. Given that <a href="https://www.theroot.com/the-wonder-of-wakanda-how-this-black-utopian-space-is-1822938854" target="_blank">Wakanda</a>, a <a href="https://longreads.com/2018/02/22/how-black-panther-asks-us-to-examine-who-we-are-to-one-another/" target="_blank">fictional</a> <a href="https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/2/27/17029730/black-panther-marvel-killmonger-ir" target="_blank">nation</a> possessing the most advanced technology in the world, chose self-imposed isolation when it had the power to stop the colonization and enslavement of Africa at its very inception, he has a point.
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<br />
Black Panther's emotional impact is reminiscent of last year's <a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/06/more-nonsense-wonder-woman-film-edition.html">Wonder Woman</a> in its presentation of an <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2018/02/12/585006605/black-panther-tells-a-thrilling-superhero-story-that-hasn-t-been-told?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=glenweldon" target="_blank">empowering</a> tale when the communities it addresses are under renewed assault from longstanding reactionary forces. But as befits an MCU film, the final product is funnier and more <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2018/02/black-panthers-feminism-is-more-progressive-than-wonder-womans.html" target="_blank">generous</a>.
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<br />
An interview with <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/black-panther-reginald-hudlin-interview.html" target="_blank">Reginald Hudlin</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/black-panther-and-beyond-30-comics-you-should-read-for-1822952152" target="_blank">Evan Narcisse</a> recommends 30 Comics You Should Read for Black History Month (including Black Panther).<br />
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Abraham Reisman on <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/don-mcgregor-panthers-rage-black-panther.html" target="_blank">Don McGregor's run on Black Panther</a>.<br />
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Tucker Stone and David Brothers on McGregor's classic Black Panther arc "<a href="http://www.tcj.com/fear-of-a-black-panther/" target="_blank">Panther's Rage</a>".<br />
<br />
James Whitbrook lists Black Panther's <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/8-times-black-panther-was-an-unbelievable-badass-1822964205" target="_blank">most memorable comic book moments</a>. But including the annulment of his marriage of Storm? That's cold.<br />
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<a href="http://www.vulture.com/2018/02/5-black-panther-comics-to-read-before-you-see-the-movie.html" target="_blank">Abraham Reisman</a> recommends 5 Black Panther Comics to Read.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tcj.com/jerk-city-usa/" target="_blank">Tegan O'Niel</a> explains how Green Arrow became a jerk.<br />
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<a href="http://www.comicsbeat.com/the-top-20-graphic-novels-of-2017-prove-diversity-in-comics-is-alive-and-well-and-selling-a-lot/" target="_blank">Heidi MacDonald</a> praises the top 20 selling graphic novels of 2017 for its diversity.<br />
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<a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dc-unveils-new-graphic-novel-lines-young-adult-middle-grade-audiences-1081584" target="_blank">DC unveils new imprints</a> aimed at younger readers.<br />
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A <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2018/01/where-to-start-with-ursula-k-le-guin.html" target="_blank">guide</a> to the work of the late <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2018/01/appreciation-and-obituary-of-ursula-k-le-guin.html" target="_blank">Ursula K. Le Guin</a>. <a href="https://www.tor.com/2018/01/24/ursula-k-le-guin-hard-times-are-coming/" target="_blank">Neil Gaiman</a> payed tribute to her during the 2014 National Book Awards. The rest of the <a href="https://www.tor.com/2018/01/24/the-science-fiction-and-fantasy-community-remembers-ursula-k-le-guin/" target="_blank">literary world</a> reacts to her passing.<br />
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A profile on the late <a href="http://www.tcj.com/mark-campos-1962-2018-seattles-unsung-comics-master-remembered/" target="_blank">Marc Campos</a> on TCJ.<br />
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RIP <a href="http://www.tcj.com/mort-walker-passes-away-at-94/" target="_blank">Mort Walker</a> (September 3, 1923 – January 27, 2018), best known as the creator of Beetle Bailey.Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-65088412605233120912018-02-22T13:00:00.000+08:002018-02-22T13:00:10.595+08:00Cartoon: Magic Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkClDBLLbrqVSMXnVL3W2AOYEYbr7aHpcUdlbWZU8TlbLB3I76z2MO1xMdRsVdUtFahAHeYVPDkdf0iSfWVx-SncrqYhenaaB3EbyB2P7_9M4BMCknrDKDSecJdDK8Bxl6gaCvQg/s1600/Magic+Forest+-+Hold-On.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magic Forest: Hold On by Ansis Purins." border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="686" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkClDBLLbrqVSMXnVL3W2AOYEYbr7aHpcUdlbWZU8TlbLB3I76z2MO1xMdRsVdUtFahAHeYVPDkdf0iSfWVx-SncrqYhenaaB3EbyB2P7_9M4BMCknrDKDSecJdDK8Bxl6gaCvQg/s1600/Magic+Forest+-+Hold-On.gif" title="Magic Forest: Hold On by Ansis Purins." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="http://studygroupcomics.com/main/magic-forest-hold-on-by-ansis-purins/" target="_blank">Study Group Comics</a>, by Ansis Purins</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-438813269109588002018-02-21T13:00:00.000+08:002018-02-21T13:00:26.734+08:00Cartoon: Black and Red<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbABnDeyUlVlGWtMGJbZqh5KtQaaC4M_EKyEqrKvhjwt2bgYKW-ExKTsw6mLMvcIW77_rc_iSSVP9C7ambqnDysKW2ZwnMKiqkJVpO3EGvbpg1QQZmV2TEO69x4y0wwWCK2hv7Q/s1600/black-and-red.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Black and Red The history of Black Socialism in America by Tanna Tucker and Nestor Castillo." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="773" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbABnDeyUlVlGWtMGJbZqh5KtQaaC4M_EKyEqrKvhjwt2bgYKW-ExKTsw6mLMvcIW77_rc_iSSVP9C7ambqnDysKW2ZwnMKiqkJVpO3EGvbpg1QQZmV2TEO69x4y0wwWCK2hv7Q/s1600/black-and-red.jpeg" title="Black and Red The history of Black Socialism in America by Tanna Tucker and Nestor Castillo." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/black-and-red" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Tanna Tucker and Nestor Castillo</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-80314186085065090212018-02-17T22:02:00.000+08:002018-02-17T22:10:34.849+08:00Star Wars: The Force Awakens Graphic Novel Adaptation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjGEIcadZ4IEeLBfF-rcZAOKmWWHsNfquSZNZqVo9dEKVbV0zcYENaHUtXSv6FZAVkKqaQbO_x2NavrAFbTaV4q5wtiK4T-JLR7tX9QQxV6PQjhNnuAZwWgSa-awcZ67Hv1VwVA/s1600/Star+Wars+-+The+Force+Awakens+Graphic+Novel+Adaptation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Star Wars: The Force Awakens Graphic Novel Adaptation Story Adaptation: Alessandro Ferrari Layout: Simone Buofontino Inks/Clean Up: Igor Chimisso Character Studies: Igor Chimisso Background/Settings: Massimo Rocca, Davide Turotti Characters: Kawaii Creative Studio Cover: Eric Jones Star Wars created by George Lucas." border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjGEIcadZ4IEeLBfF-rcZAOKmWWHsNfquSZNZqVo9dEKVbV0zcYENaHUtXSv6FZAVkKqaQbO_x2NavrAFbTaV4q5wtiK4T-JLR7tX9QQxV6PQjhNnuAZwWgSa-awcZ67Hv1VwVA/s1600/Star+Wars+-+The+Force+Awakens+Graphic+Novel+Adaptation.jpg" title="Star Wars: The Force Awakens Graphic Novel Adaptation Story Adaptation: Alessandro Ferrari Layout: Simone Buofontino Inks/Clean Up: Igor Chimisso Character Studies: Igor Chimisso Background/Settings: Massimo Rocca, Davide Turotti Characters: Kawaii Creative Studio Cover: Eric Jones Star Wars created by George Lucas." width="240" /></a></div>
<i>Story Adaptation: Alessandro Ferrari</i><br />
<i>Layout: Simone Buofontino</i><br />
<i>Inks/Clean Up: Igor Chimisso</i><br />
<i>Character Studies: Igor Chimisso</i><br />
<i>Background/Settings: Massimo Rocca, Davide Turotti</i><br />
<i>Characters: Kawaii Creative Studio</i><br />
<i>Cover: Eric Jones</i><br />
<br />
<i>Star Wars created by George Lucas.</i><br />
<br />
IDW Publishing’s graphic novel adaptation of <a href="https://www.idwpublishing.com/product/star-wars-the-force-awakens/" target="_blank"><i>Star Wars: The Force Awakens</i></a> comes in at a compact length of under 80 pages. It’s a mostly faithful shot for shot recreation of the 2015 film in comic book form. A few scenes are omitted or their order is occasionally flipped to move things along. No new material is inserted into the film’s story. There is a price to pay for such economy. The comic adds nothing of note to the source material, other than the novelty of seeing it in the hands of an alternative set of artistic sensibilities. And the book’s directive to tone down the violence results in an anemic reading experience. The supposably high stakes (the fate of entire worlds hang in the balance) don’t come across as dire enough to possess any urgency on the page.<br />
<br />
For anyone just looking for a printed version of the film to carry around, the half-dozen illustrators listed at the back of the book do a good enough job with the film’s futuristic technology and exotic locales. But everything feels cramped, which is a big problem for a narrative dependent on enchanting the reader with its fantastic setting. Events move briskly without allowing for some breathing room to admire what's taking place. Comics is a medium that manipulates the reader’s sense of time, but this comic’s pacing feels disjointed as it races from scene to scene.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OEW1X1x5CxDs9AGS_51-49EX6oWAyKQ0a2w9nw09OMF8oJhzuVa3SOP7A-VBxZT9A130BaIYOHbTSBsnP6kVUsYRuUn1bzT2m0r7K1Z8X0kNZhT-m-n-9LsWjfY3uss7F4zOsA/s1600/Star+Wars+-+The+Force+Awakens+Graphic+Novel+Adaptatio-017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Star Wars: The Force Awakens Graphic Novel Adaptation Story Adaptation: Alessandro Ferrari Layout: Simone Buofontino Inks/Clean Up: Igor Chimisso Character Studies: Igor Chimisso Background/Settings: Massimo Rocca, Davide Turotti Characters: Kawaii Creative Studio Cover: Eric Jones Star Wars created by George Lucas." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9OEW1X1x5CxDs9AGS_51-49EX6oWAyKQ0a2w9nw09OMF8oJhzuVa3SOP7A-VBxZT9A130BaIYOHbTSBsnP6kVUsYRuUn1bzT2m0r7K1Z8X0kNZhT-m-n-9LsWjfY3uss7F4zOsA/s1600/Star+Wars+-+The+Force+Awakens+Graphic+Novel+Adaptatio-017.jpg" title="Star Wars: The Force Awakens Graphic Novel Adaptation Story Adaptation: Alessandro Ferrari Layout: Simone Buofontino Inks/Clean Up: Igor Chimisso Character Studies: Igor Chimisso Background/Settings: Massimo Rocca, Davide Turotti Characters: Kawaii Creative Studio Cover: Eric Jones Star Wars created by George Lucas." width="540" /></a></div>
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And when some scenes or lines of dialogue are streamlined, this has a negative impact on the story’s character beats. The whole plot is basically a race to find the last jedi <i>Luke Skywalker</i>. But that objective seems to get lost as former stormtrooper <i>Finn</i> and scavenger <i>Rey</i> stumble from place to place. When they finally run into infamous smuggler (or is he a Rebel Alliance hero) <i>Han Solo</i> and copilot <i>Chewbacca</i>, the emotional impact of the meeting is so deeply underplayed that Han seems remarkably unconcerned considering that these two strangers he just met might be holding the key to finding Luke.<br />
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But the book isn’t really interested in adult comic book nerds. The pseudo-Disneyfied cartoon designs for the characters indicate IDW is trying to corner a younger demographic for the Star Wars franchise. So key elements like elaborate dogfights with spaceships or whatever implied sexual tension that would launch a thousand ships are put aside for “BEEBEE-ATE” and Rey behaving like the plucky hero. In this respect, she’s an acceptable role model.Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-46739245733859751452018-02-16T00:30:00.000+08:002018-02-16T00:30:18.321+08:00Cartoon: The NFL’s White Supremacy Problem<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0VtQNPxBdlBohnDC95mvNjdA4zuTxXroYzwL3gS4Re6hs1YocdqVSOCnfqXwQx8jzyqc5nTJJEwj-84qiyQ7c4EO5GNoDM0ASNK909bRoH2akI-npZOPYauKb-TKMRhYPP8yYw/s1600/nfl-colin-kaepernick.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The NFL’s White Supremacy Problem How much did Colin Kaepernick give up just to force a conversation among white Americans? by Mike Dawson." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0VtQNPxBdlBohnDC95mvNjdA4zuTxXroYzwL3gS4Re6hs1YocdqVSOCnfqXwQx8jzyqc5nTJJEwj-84qiyQ7c4EO5GNoDM0ASNK909bRoH2akI-npZOPYauKb-TKMRhYPP8yYw/s1600/nfl-colin-kaepernick.jpeg" title="The NFL’s White Supremacy Problem How much did Colin Kaepernick give up just to force a conversation among white Americans? by Mike Dawson." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/nfl-colin-kaepernick" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Mike Dawson</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-14731132041278725832018-02-14T13:23:00.000+08:002018-02-14T13:23:17.829+08:00Cartoon: The Dictator or the Emperor?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ml4xB5BR0dov6nMPVjpet3i7wbPY6gW3dglCw2Li0TIqi5aGrOyo3p_XhoYrbfOWReReXgMt3T_vCo9iQhUI7b_Bn02jAbeUxrXagmNumvv4CWzMcYH8BF0xssjMVr33agIijg/s1600/the-dictator-or-the-emperor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Dictator or the Emperor? A choice too many have to make. by Ghadi Ghosn and Yazan Al-Saadi." border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ml4xB5BR0dov6nMPVjpet3i7wbPY6gW3dglCw2Li0TIqi5aGrOyo3p_XhoYrbfOWReReXgMt3T_vCo9iQhUI7b_Bn02jAbeUxrXagmNumvv4CWzMcYH8BF0xssjMVr33agIijg/s1600/the-dictator-or-the-emperor.jpeg" title="The Dictator or the Emperor? A choice too many have to make. by Ghadi Ghosn and Yazan Al-Saadi." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/the-dictator-or-the-emperor" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Ghadi Ghosn and Yazan Al-Saadi</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-25279870877995393822018-02-09T13:54:00.000+08:002018-02-09T13:54:43.901+08:00Cartoon: It Doesn’t Have to Be Man vs. Machine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIurAoRlOBTN_TBlcS8P9dDNpM07DrS1wbSkwfyHUH7qIbyH7RTlIN0dkxPHlhl4lY9Z1FomZc18LBxyZwd40vF7zuJ76IdsQlEOmz81TB34JFWlHbtT2X2zHuBuZYHy3VllbaQ/s1600/it-doesn-t-have-to-be-man-vs-machine.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="It Doesn’t Have to Be Man vs. Machine What Kasparov and Deep Blue can teach us about the automation of labor by John McNamee." border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="795" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIurAoRlOBTN_TBlcS8P9dDNpM07DrS1wbSkwfyHUH7qIbyH7RTlIN0dkxPHlhl4lY9Z1FomZc18LBxyZwd40vF7zuJ76IdsQlEOmz81TB34JFWlHbtT2X2zHuBuZYHy3VllbaQ/s1600/it-doesn-t-have-to-be-man-vs-machine.jpeg" title="It Doesn’t Have to Be Man vs. Machine What Kasparov and Deep Blue can teach us about the automation of labor by John McNamee." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/it-doesn-t-have-to-be-man-vs-machine" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by John McNamee</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-91606991226709008842018-02-08T13:25:00.000+08:002018-02-08T13:25:53.142+08:00Cartoon: Arlington is More Than a Cemetery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuixlwLdy60h4Q9DatI8w15RXiz084YPx42pd9HOP4vN6j7fZ_q6q7kEqrc1BFT-7CXeE6bb_ngsLpVbOZ-Vpzcm_K5fg76YIPj0R6hPvzVwnxv0pWOEpWbqSVgfxK8pw9CjzRw/s1600/arlington-house.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Arlington is More Than a Cemetery Arlington House's transformations mirror our own by Jackie Roche." border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuixlwLdy60h4Q9DatI8w15RXiz084YPx42pd9HOP4vN6j7fZ_q6q7kEqrc1BFT-7CXeE6bb_ngsLpVbOZ-Vpzcm_K5fg76YIPj0R6hPvzVwnxv0pWOEpWbqSVgfxK8pw9CjzRw/s1600/arlington-house.jpeg" title="Arlington is More Than a Cemetery Arlington House's transformations mirror our own by Jackie Roche." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/arlington-house" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Jackie Roche</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-51408075567708403492018-02-07T13:09:00.000+08:002018-02-07T13:09:26.930+08:00Cartoon: I Said I Was Done With Dieting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WSJ0EPv4BQX_eLGeC0C9hbwM6r3wMQqiuJqq7XsxFaNC2Gq2339QzWzDxRhH0z5zQWo0m6UFBNWI2oLA-VAThOAI1xBd0p7nWDOQiwAPeptNaciex-HeSdErAMmG5kX6CPww_Q/s1600/diet-relapse.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I Said I Was Done With Dieting, But It Wasn’t Done With Me by Meghan Lands." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WSJ0EPv4BQX_eLGeC0C9hbwM6r3wMQqiuJqq7XsxFaNC2Gq2339QzWzDxRhH0z5zQWo0m6UFBNWI2oLA-VAThOAI1xBd0p7nWDOQiwAPeptNaciex-HeSdErAMmG5kX6CPww_Q/s1600/diet-relapse.jpeg" title="I Said I Was Done With Dieting, But It Wasn’t Done With Me by Meghan Lands." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/diet-relapse" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Meghan Lands</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-76925566398209724052018-02-03T17:32:00.001+08:002018-02-05T21:10:39.210+08:00Flying Witch Vol. 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIgGXqlfubERjls-jXiAlWSAJL7OjwTVvetq0LNT7jq54VvDjN8Fv5xPd36yqvhd3rotRt9_0yUvggCHwzVpptVXNNEHRuae72bUWADQwt1BuB0m2LP8d5J76VhT2fgDYOB1q9g/s1600/Flying+Witch%252C+Vol.+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Flying Witch Vol. 1 By Chihiro Ishizuka Translation: Melissa Tanaka," border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIgGXqlfubERjls-jXiAlWSAJL7OjwTVvetq0LNT7jq54VvDjN8Fv5xPd36yqvhd3rotRt9_0yUvggCHwzVpptVXNNEHRuae72bUWADQwt1BuB0m2LP8d5J76VhT2fgDYOB1q9g/s1600/Flying+Witch%252C+Vol.+1.jpg" title="Flying Witch Vol. 1 By Chihiro Ishizuka Translation: Melissa Tanaka." width="228" /></a></div>
<i>By Chihiro Ishizuka</i><br />
<i>Translation: Melissa Tanaka</i><br />
<br />
On first hearing of its premise, <a href="http://www.vertical-comics.com/books/flyingwitch_01.php" target="_blank"><i>Flying Witch</i></a> sounded like secondhand <i>Hayao Miyazaki</i>. A teenage witch in training “packs up her belongings (including a black cat familiar) and moves in with her distant cousins in rural Aomori to complete her training and become a full-fledged witch.” But the manga is actually closer to the popular <a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/search/label/Yotsuba"><i>Yotsuba&!</i></a>, with the lead character <i>Makoto Kowata</i> as the oddball outsider inserted into the lives of a nondescript family. The magic she occasionally demonstrates is mostly played for comedic effect. Every mundane thing is a source of wonder to her. Creator <i>Chihiro Ishizuka</i> even draws in a streamlined style reminiscent of<i> <a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/search/label/Kiyohiko%20Azuma">Kiyohiko Azuma</a></i>.<br />
<br />
With a story like this, a lot depends on the lead character. This is where Flying Witch falls short. As mentioned above, Makoto doesn’t perform a lot of magic. She’s actually not supposed to talk about her abilities to the uninitiated. But the irrepressible Makoto immediately babbles to a classmate she only just met. And her one act of flying in this volume occurs when she puts a broom through its paces at the local market. Those particular scenes make an impact early on. But Makoto isn’t eccentric enough a personality to pull it off every time. Her primary character trait is that she easily gets lost. This plays to diminishing returns every time its used. And it doesn’t help that the people around her, especially most of the members of her host family, can be a little blasé about Makoto’s novice witch status.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, the story picks up steam later when members of the magical community show up. A creature called the <i>Harbinger of Spring</i> looks like someone who came out of a Miyazaki feature. And a much more experienced witch drops by to demonstrate how to pull off an ancient spell to Makoto.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrkl_tbgl8jvX3AdxWqPBAyG6cnVTc85gchW0jaX3vwCac0WCopc1-N_HqVIMliDbNOEd9hRG2ZAFaaeNpFSblZXBP0SOvO1xG45PCIrlGRXsYHvkAZZZf67m50Ga_Ey-QBgFwA/s1600/Flying+Witch%252C+Vol.+1+-+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Flying Witch Vol. 1 By Chihiro Ishizuka Translation: Melissa Tanaka." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrkl_tbgl8jvX3AdxWqPBAyG6cnVTc85gchW0jaX3vwCac0WCopc1-N_HqVIMliDbNOEd9hRG2ZAFaaeNpFSblZXBP0SOvO1xG45PCIrlGRXsYHvkAZZZf67m50Ga_Ey-QBgFwA/s1600/Flying+Witch%252C+Vol.+1+-+028.jpg" title="Flying Witch Vol. 1 By Chihiro Ishizuka Translation: Melissa Tanaka." width="540" /></a></div>
<br />
It's still not enough to enliven the ordinary setting. Ishizuka is sparing with the use of hyper-detailed backgrounds. The page layouts are pretty boring: rectangular panels composed mostly of talking heads, arranged in two or three tiers. The main characters are very similar in appearance and facial expression. Only Makoto’s ten year old cousin exhibits more varied reactions than the rest of her family. That’s because she’s the only one young enough to be still astonished by the revelation that witches are real, and one of them is now living under the same roof. As far as these opening chapters are concerned, Ishizuka still seems to be working out how to achieve the proper balance between the supernatural and the mundane.Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-29822874891340653742018-01-28T14:16:00.000+08:002018-01-28T14:16:48.607+08:00Cartoon Essay: An Equal Opportunity Lie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb8239xHEfiSs0CdIKI3IDGrrHrjw9o9bDwcbCwNUcBx84_b5GxfeKLLObGMz4e1_SyeiumeybhyphenhyphenA4xfd6fSKm39LDgOBvdtJbChsW2SzxGV3vzHVsiOZGxbusBJg5bKyUytZLA/s1600/An+Equal+Opportunity+Lie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" 'An Equal Opportunity Lie': How Housing Discrimination Led to the Flint Water Crisis, by Anna Clark and Josh Kramer." border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb8239xHEfiSs0CdIKI3IDGrrHrjw9o9bDwcbCwNUcBx84_b5GxfeKLLObGMz4e1_SyeiumeybhyphenhyphenA4xfd6fSKm39LDgOBvdtJbChsW2SzxGV3vzHVsiOZGxbusBJg5bKyUytZLA/s1600/An+Equal+Opportunity+Lie.png" title=" 'An Equal Opportunity Lie': How Housing Discrimination Led to the Flint Water Crisis, by Anna Clark and Josh Kramer." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://splinternews.com/an-equal-opportunity-lie-how-housing-discrimination-le-1820482045" target="_blank">Splinter</a>, by Anna Clark and Josh Kramer</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-83855731604504724572018-01-27T14:32:00.000+08:002018-01-27T14:32:48.448+08:00Cartoon: Reading ‘Catcher in the Rye’ Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBLAy5Zhi8Udhrh7vZT2Dt4BFswRsJHnsmgPYlyRxtCmPPcz5BI-bTB93HJbmnI1U0livLQuear99l-jKGc-8_M3-elYxzIw10vyCYyKTc3KbNHOY40hkLfc_RqFmzJpBpKoUZQ/s1600/Reading+%25E2%2580%2598Catcher+in+the+Rye%25E2%2580%2599+Today.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Reading ‘Catcher in the Rye’ Today By Gilbert Hernandez." border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBLAy5Zhi8Udhrh7vZT2Dt4BFswRsJHnsmgPYlyRxtCmPPcz5BI-bTB93HJbmnI1U0livLQuear99l-jKGc-8_M3-elYxzIw10vyCYyKTc3KbNHOY40hkLfc_RqFmzJpBpKoUZQ/s1600/Reading+%25E2%2580%2598Catcher+in+the+Rye%25E2%2580%2599+Today.jpg" title="Reading ‘Catcher in the Rye’ Today By Gilbert Hernandez." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/08/books/review/catcher-in-the-rye-j-d-salinger.html?_r=0" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>, by Gilbert Hernandez</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-90360953298535591072018-01-26T14:16:00.000+08:002018-01-26T14:16:35.949+08:00Cartoon: Young and Dumb Inside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy5-N0BgmrN_LJfOO-7FxwMIBdGaxQJMK0tu2YhcziFJnOS_TmhNOCUFcQwAhOn0AX5ilH-dS1_uyPy0E104cS7xgeiIFOXta6FVQoxRe_utCn8mCuoxRFGDP0MywQQ3-ojZxgA/s1600/Young+and+Dumb+Inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Young and Dumb Inside By Emily Flake." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXy5-N0BgmrN_LJfOO-7FxwMIBdGaxQJMK0tu2YhcziFJnOS_TmhNOCUFcQwAhOn0AX5ilH-dS1_uyPy0E104cS7xgeiIFOXta6FVQoxRe_utCn8mCuoxRFGDP0MywQQ3-ojZxgA/s1600/Young+and+Dumb+Inside.jpg" title="Young and Dumb Inside By Emily Flake." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/04/young-and-dumb-inside" target="_blank">The New Yorker</a>, by Emily Flake</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-64997293067023406222018-01-24T16:15:00.000+08:002018-01-24T16:15:08.058+08:00More NonSense: Election 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-jsyZ6aDe-q3OhpGMt1WQj6hs3PohqOCaJA5rmHrNQyki700iyxC21cE47VGgny9VjpxMgiP1Y3Q3PR72JdhVAepSBp1JXbxPq7bVFT21tdJ1oy-MbaJ2SeZJK1P4lqjqqZmSw/s1600/2016_election_map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2016 Electoral Map by Randall Munroe." border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-jsyZ6aDe-q3OhpGMt1WQj6hs3PohqOCaJA5rmHrNQyki700iyxC21cE47VGgny9VjpxMgiP1Y3Q3PR72JdhVAepSBp1JXbxPq7bVFT21tdJ1oy-MbaJ2SeZJK1P4lqjqqZmSw/s1600/2016_election_map.png" title="2016 Electoral Map by Randall Munroe." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://xkcd.com/1939/" target="_blank">xkcd</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/1/8/16865532/2016-presidential-election-map-xkcd" target="_blank">Alan Cole</a> loves <a href="https://xkcd.com/1939/" target="_blank">Randall Munroe's</a> visualisation of the 2016 electoral map.<br />
<br />
TCJ has an interview with NBM founder <a href="http://www.tcj.com/showing-by-doing-marking-nbms-40th-anniversary-with-terry-nantier/" target="_blank">Terry Nantier</a>.<br />
<br />
The late <a href="http://www.tcj.com/la-grande-dame-annie-goetzinger-1951-2017/" target="_blank">Annie Goetzinger</a> profiled by TCJ.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vulture.com/2018/01/christopher-priest-made-black-panther-cool-then-disappeared.html" target="_blank">Christopher Priest</a> and his work on Black Panther is profiled by Abraham Riesman.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5250513/Marvel-creator-Stan-Lee-95-accused-groping-nurses.html" target="_blank">An unnamed nursing company</a> has accused Stan Lee of repeated sexual harassment; Lee has in turn claimed that he is the victim of a shakedown.<br />
<br />
In the latest chapter of DC's deteriorating relationship with Alan Moore, his creation <a href="https://www.bleedingcool.com/2018/01/18/alan-moore-jh-williams-promethea-jla/" target="_blank">Promethea</a> will be incorporated into the DC Universe. Neither Moore or co-creator <a href="https://twitter.com/JHWilliamsIII/status/954136422146916352" target="_blank">J.H. Williams III</a> were consulted:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So, this is without affording me the dignity hearing about it from proper channels. I've not brought this to Alan's attention, doubt he knew, until now. Besides that, I can't in good conscience condone this happening in any form at all.</blockquote>
Lea Hernandez <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedivalea/posts/10156036047726639" target="_blank">has</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedivalea/posts/10156036891246639" target="_blank">repeatedly</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thedivalea/posts/10156036051386639" target="_blank">apologised</a> for her work on the defunct Marvel Mangaverse, calling it racist. Lea was the artist for the Mangaverse version of the Punisher. She the urged the publisher to stop reprinting the comics:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Speaking of being a casually racist asshole, I did art for the Marvel Mangaverse Punisher, written by Peter David. It’s racist, and I was uncomfortable when I drew it, but it had been written by Peter, a friend, and approved by an editor.<br />
<br />
The main characters, Japanese-Caucasian sisters, were named Hashi Brown and Sosumi Brown. (Update: there’s also a female villain named “Skan Kee Ho.” There was exotification of Asians. I depicted Sosumi, the Punisher, in a sexy kimono alá manga art of “bad” women even as I was careful to dress Hashi in a “schoolgirl” uniform that was mid-thigh length shorts and a jacket, alá Utena. Because I was sick of the sexualization of children, but didn’t grasp that exotification needed to be off the table, too... </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To anyone who was hurt by the racism in Marvel Mangaverse Punisher, of which I was the artist, I offer my deepest apologies. I can’t change the circumstances that led me to be afraid of pushing back, but I am changing how I conduct myself going forward.<br />
I also apologize for taking 17 years to fully comprehend an apology and being accountable for the work was in order... </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Since it’s been reprinted recently, it’s too late to ask Marvel to stop this reprinting Mangaverse Punisher. It’s not to late to ask them to quit reprinting it, though. Marvel, please quit reprinting Mangaverse Punisher. It’s racist.</blockquote>
Apparently, <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/01/hollywood-says-its-not-planning-another-copyright-extension-push/" target="_blank">none of the major corporate interests are moving to extend copyrights</a>, despite their imminent expiration as soon as next year.Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-37173424097806038562018-01-21T00:58:00.000+08:002018-01-21T13:40:47.559+08:00Iceland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2h_zQnSN9vWEien5TszXVmHMo45w1sNdeszJ-eL0IP8Y-XFXUv_JKME29qD2pC3mVcpQcD-HDUvzXo4iXaLy10EiWS_NYq0CKmqz68Uk8fiTF6iozc_WpaCeGzU2DsXWmWvLQA/s1600/Iceland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Iceland By Yuichi Yokoyama Translation: Ryan Holmberg." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2h_zQnSN9vWEien5TszXVmHMo45w1sNdeszJ-eL0IP8Y-XFXUv_JKME29qD2pC3mVcpQcD-HDUvzXo4iXaLy10EiWS_NYq0CKmqz68Uk8fiTF6iozc_WpaCeGzU2DsXWmWvLQA/s1600/Iceland.jpg" title="Iceland By Yuichi Yokoyama Translation: Ryan Holmberg." width="223" /></a></div>
<i>By Yuichi Yokoyama</i><br />
<i>Translation: Ryan Holmberg</i><br />
<br />
Like audiences of other popular media, comic book readers have been conditioned to expect certain storytelling conventions. This makes reading the manga of <a href="https://urano.tokyo/en/artists/yokoyama_yuichi/" target="_blank"><i>Yuichi Yokoyama</i></a> a unique experience. Yokoyama is an oil painter who exhibited no interest in comics during his youth, whether native or foreign. Yet he’s gone on to create several comics that are <a href="http://comicsalliance.com/yuichi-yokoyama-interview/" target="_blank">gorgeous to look at</a>. At first glance, they contain all the basic vocabulary of the medium: picture panels, word captions, speech balloons, speed lines, etc. But the accompanying genre elements are missing, or at least being suppressed: plot, setting, character development, dramatic conflict, have been drained of their comforting familiarity. Instead, they’re usurped by an uncompromising sensual assault that will leave the reader reeling. Other comic creators have brought their own idiosyncratic <a href="http://www.tcj.com/a-walk-through-yuichi-yokoyamas-garden-with-tom-van-deusen/" target="_blank">design sensibilities</a> to their stories. But Yokoyama’s work feels like an alien lifeform imitating human behaviour.<br />
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Take the plot of <a href="http://retrofit.storenvy.com/products/20672003-iceland-by-yuichi-yokoyama" target="_blank"><i>Iceland</i></a>. Three strange looking men (at least I think they’re men) show up in the frozen North searching for a fourth individual. They enter a seedy bar to enquire about his whereabouts. Once they find him out back, the four leave town. None of the characters exhibit an inner life. No one offers an explanation for their individual actions. Their speech patterns betray no emotion or personality. They all speak in flat tones. In the end, the reader has no more idea as what just happened in the story. The only thing that indicates any emotional content is an undercurrent of aggression with their interactions, as if every person is sizing up everyone they encounter. The taut atmosphere is a concession to the plot’s pulp influences. Only, there’s no cathartic release in the form of physical violence.<br />
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But Yokoyama’s visual aesthetic immediately distinguishes him from more traditional mangaka. Leaning on his fine art background, Yokoyama resorts to modernist figurative abstraction combined with Pop Art typography. His characters look and move as if they were part machine, and wear elaborate patterns on their oddly shaped heads and bodies which obscure recognizable facial features, like a Cubist-inspired squad of extraterrestrial superheroes. This artificiality extends to the unnatural geometry of the icy setting. There’s nothing subtle about Yokoyama’s gaudy structures and bold compositions. And the bombastic nature of the action might vaguely remind Japanese fans of classic manga aimed at young adult males, though filtered through a very different set of artistic sensibilities.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sWwVlZY8w_B27E8Cz-v1-cgB19xvyE-SHMojN91bLfnbTidBKFhYJf3V4-xC_DYJnwDy9v2_iNBl_CfL6ISndCXZJLlMJZjTv4SE43bLGRuBBeqMC6zR58LE8H6-_gzyYSM7Yw/s1600/Iceland-013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Iceland By Yuichi Yokoyama Translation: Ryan Holmberg." border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sWwVlZY8w_B27E8Cz-v1-cgB19xvyE-SHMojN91bLfnbTidBKFhYJf3V4-xC_DYJnwDy9v2_iNBl_CfL6ISndCXZJLlMJZjTv4SE43bLGRuBBeqMC6zR58LE8H6-_gzyYSM7Yw/s1600/Iceland-013.jpg" title="Iceland By Yuichi Yokoyama Translation: Ryan Holmberg." width="540" /></a></div>
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The action, as such, is most evident when the trio enters the bar. They detect a loud repeating noise (DODODODO) as they approach the building,. Once inside, they’re immediately overwhelmed with an audiovisual spectacle. A large television monitor dominates one side of the room, playing nonstop military footage: guns blazing, tanks rolling, planes dropping bombs, soldiers shooting with their firearms, explosions booming. None of the patrons are bothered by the commotion. On the contrary, they seem to thrive in it.<br />
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Yokoyama’s ability to convey the sensation of sound is most impressive. The onomatopoeia are displayed as bold, mechanically reproduced Japanese text, spread across each panel. They practically block the reader from viewing the rest of the panel. And this goes on for several pages as double page spreads. Even in a purely visual medium, the noise is deafening. And in a story where very little happens, this is weirdly the climactic scene of the story. It’s a relief (if only a temporary one) when the trio finally leaves the bar.<br />
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That is what makes Iceland puzzling even as it is energizes. The book is so loud it denies introspection for even the reader. How can one think with all the noise going on? All one can do is immerse themselves in Yokoyama’s audiovisual pleasures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VBNtPORQllvqKpSleQmQpaq-fzFcwcewpws2BMJ-TurVnodJtGDRjd_kghMWRSe0p_VT6lVvDkmmud7-A4nMCDnIex9Sg74Oj24HEQ1HR2PimPaK8FcIqnYFKeccSC_Y5wkUNw/s1600/Iceland-027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Iceland By Yuichi Yokoyama Translation: Ryan Holmberg." border="0" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VBNtPORQllvqKpSleQmQpaq-fzFcwcewpws2BMJ-TurVnodJtGDRjd_kghMWRSe0p_VT6lVvDkmmud7-A4nMCDnIex9Sg74Oj24HEQ1HR2PimPaK8FcIqnYFKeccSC_Y5wkUNw/s1600/Iceland-027.jpg" title="Iceland By Yuichi Yokoyama Translation: Ryan Holmberg." width="540" /></a></div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-32809000956886656882018-01-20T00:58:00.000+08:002018-01-20T00:58:38.972+08:00Cartoon: The Good War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6aDtAmg0mbKtHCDbhgnIcvHAQXmumprMQR5n3I6O6P18Nc5es15cWB9mT-YICZZ7m4FHSH6Qpuv6-7sdGU6BL8RuAmlamA1KoR-2K9VpXoYVB9xHySyWslPM7OsbXLYRS6RCkA/s1600/the-good-war.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Good War How America’s infatuation with World War II has eroded our conscience by Mike Dawson and Chris Hayes." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6aDtAmg0mbKtHCDbhgnIcvHAQXmumprMQR5n3I6O6P18Nc5es15cWB9mT-YICZZ7m4FHSH6Qpuv6-7sdGU6BL8RuAmlamA1KoR-2K9VpXoYVB9xHySyWslPM7OsbXLYRS6RCkA/s1600/the-good-war.jpeg" title="The Good War How America’s infatuation with World War II has eroded our conscience by Mike Dawson and Chris Hayes." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/the-good-war" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Mike Dawson and Chris Hayes</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-53628921799411148042018-01-19T02:55:00.000+08:002018-01-19T02:55:55.387+08:00Cartoon: The Man with a Discman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsepgSam2nO7tzIcgM3W3clYYb0xfT3oyBQiQKcS9zeNYNd_UbXeChiTEgv3aLUxd5fHH-uMEssXG1Q_svUu7m8A-L3OFOqIYQIlumsWZvu7Zld7LJe2BwzaJiDLPB6HUzrpaqag/s1600/The+Man+with+a+Discman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Man with a Discman By Leslie Stein." border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsepgSam2nO7tzIcgM3W3clYYb0xfT3oyBQiQKcS9zeNYNd_UbXeChiTEgv3aLUxd5fHH-uMEssXG1Q_svUu7m8A-L3OFOqIYQIlumsWZvu7Zld7LJe2BwzaJiDLPB6HUzrpaqag/s1600/The+Man+with+a+Discman.jpg" title="The Man with a Discman By Leslie Stein." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/sections/humor/the-man-with-a-discman" target="_blank">The New Yorker</a>, by Leslie Stein</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-26786937886088479852018-01-17T13:21:00.000+08:002018-01-17T13:21:38.130+08:00Cartoon: Where College Is Free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFBe31LA5N4M_mb1BWNMiWm-bGFuWaRPICyDslaMZZ_ciPAUPF09e382PD98_7qUHvTtYK4ia37lsVo4VVXX3fM2ZKfXiJVmEO1ujFneIiVDg-drBr4s-_AMBFEeqXYm1H5YcwA/s1600/where-college-is-free.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Where College Is Free College puts American students in horrendous debt. But it doesn’t have to be that way. by Sarah Mirk and Mary Shyne." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFBe31LA5N4M_mb1BWNMiWm-bGFuWaRPICyDslaMZZ_ciPAUPF09e382PD98_7qUHvTtYK4ia37lsVo4VVXX3fM2ZKfXiJVmEO1ujFneIiVDg-drBr4s-_AMBFEeqXYm1H5YcwA/s1600/where-college-is-free.jpeg" title="Where College Is Free College puts American students in horrendous debt. But it doesn’t have to be that way. by Sarah Mirk and Mary Shyne." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/where-college-is-free" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Sarah Mirk and Mary Shyne</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-30035235252358411152018-01-15T13:27:00.000+08:002018-01-15T13:27:09.002+08:00Cartoon: A Part of Me is Still Unknown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JMLDUsonl7aZqX9_80b3U_PJahcQJlOQx2bJN5fq1RtZ9eHdqVnfRTINHl78QICpesgWTfcJ7BwxudxeJZ3oQleOvkYhuv16mgLXJC-kWgU75vzLuRClkluBjQUd_rK9U7V8UQ/s1600/a-part-of-me-is-still-unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Part of Me is Still Unknown I was adopted at four months old. I went back to Korea looking for answers. by Meg O'Shea." border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JMLDUsonl7aZqX9_80b3U_PJahcQJlOQx2bJN5fq1RtZ9eHdqVnfRTINHl78QICpesgWTfcJ7BwxudxeJZ3oQleOvkYhuv16mgLXJC-kWgU75vzLuRClkluBjQUd_rK9U7V8UQ/s1600/a-part-of-me-is-still-unknown.jpeg" title="A Part of Me is Still Unknown I was adopted at four months old. I went back to Korea looking for answers. by Meg O'Shea." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/a-part-of-me-is-still-unknown" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Meg O'Shea</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-22678753997801906312018-01-11T12:00:00.000+08:002018-01-11T12:00:00.228+08:00Cartoon: We Know Why Men Start Fires<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnQzmkQcWC88zl5dNEIKAgIB_6WHLE0ppQPDXj_IoukQ7W8DDMNhtnMB-TFkGIsBtTb4cMtx6qUIfCsrkVvQ9uDQFUuhEAv6GHIzO7ghqXBDSxYcjQqxRxxud0Yt1HKZhk1oE2w/s1600/we-know-why-men-start-fires.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="We Know Why Men Start Fires It’s time to stop sympathetically profiling white supremacists by Chris Kindred." border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnQzmkQcWC88zl5dNEIKAgIB_6WHLE0ppQPDXj_IoukQ7W8DDMNhtnMB-TFkGIsBtTb4cMtx6qUIfCsrkVvQ9uDQFUuhEAv6GHIzO7ghqXBDSxYcjQqxRxxud0Yt1HKZhk1oE2w/s1600/we-know-why-men-start-fires.jpeg" title="We Know Why Men Start Fires It’s time to stop sympathetically profiling white supremacists by Chris Kindred." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/we-know-why-men-start-fires" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Chris Kindred</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-55142194516094598072018-01-10T12:00:00.000+08:002018-01-10T12:00:15.303+08:00Cartoon: Adventures in Geriatric Dogsitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpIWVDxSIMjikFgEyhhHY3irVu76s5B_RGpvAzqUpkJ4bxnNCtUcslQGKyF56g3xjXjhp57m04vYKyrwnqzrulkJSC9XEY2hPBKwBC4_huakvT8Yer0tFi5x97TgtRLi-FYF4xw/s1600/Adventures+in+Geriatric+Dogsitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Adventures in Geriatric Dogsitting By Gabrielle Bell." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="787" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpIWVDxSIMjikFgEyhhHY3irVu76s5B_RGpvAzqUpkJ4bxnNCtUcslQGKyF56g3xjXjhp57m04vYKyrwnqzrulkJSC9XEY2hPBKwBC4_huakvT8Yer0tFi5x97TgtRLi-FYF4xw/s1600/Adventures+in+Geriatric+Dogsitting.jpg" title="Adventures in Geriatric Dogsitting By Gabrielle Bell." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/adventures-in-geriatric-dogsitting" target="_blank">The New Yorker,</a> by Gabrielle Bell</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-70399955463760591842018-01-09T12:00:00.000+08:002018-01-09T12:00:28.512+08:00Cartoon: An Education in Fear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAvKZFozM3djHYvZrDmnxCADOGW_DPUtDLnLodyRjSmWIr4LtThUOYHDVpVMHgpxT7smgZeKSw2rOUS1ZSrdkY9knWRJm1pKvD3by1tnC-UJoaW3OZYesJ7744QuSuLep80eqgg/s1600/education-in-fear-growing-up-in-the-assad-regime-syria.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An Education in Fear Growing up in the Assad regime’s Syria by Lina Ghaibeh." border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="703" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAvKZFozM3djHYvZrDmnxCADOGW_DPUtDLnLodyRjSmWIr4LtThUOYHDVpVMHgpxT7smgZeKSw2rOUS1ZSrdkY9knWRJm1pKvD3by1tnC-UJoaW3OZYesJ7744QuSuLep80eqgg/s1600/education-in-fear-growing-up-in-the-assad-regime-syria.jpeg" title="An Education in Fear Growing up in the Assad regime’s Syria by Lina Ghaibeh." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/education-in-fear-growing-up-in-the-assad-regime-syria" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Lina Ghaibeh</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-43999398486655417732018-01-09T00:00:00.000+08:002018-01-09T00:00:40.413+08:00Webcomic: Year in Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts143rNsx3xHqZx9_IXQ75Y1AWp15VQE4DWE0PwH0hTdv8ycd96o2iokuJ-Yxsav7VESMxdy0l0bRs1JHODhR7wFslYMAwE6P61pPSkL0xA6lYnMgI3HrHET3Ei81QjxVi-kaOQ/s1600/Year+in+Review.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Year in Review, by Noelle Stevenson." border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts143rNsx3xHqZx9_IXQ75Y1AWp15VQE4DWE0PwH0hTdv8ycd96o2iokuJ-Yxsav7VESMxdy0l0bRs1JHODhR7wFslYMAwE6P61pPSkL0xA6lYnMgI3HrHET3Ei81QjxVi-kaOQ/s1600/Year+in+Review.png" title="Year in Review, by Noelle Stevenson." /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="http://gingerhaze.tumblr.com/post/169163009078" target="_blank">How Are You I'm Fine Thanks</a>, by Noelle Stevenson (via <a href="http://www.comicsbeat.com/free-comics-noelle-stevensons-advice-to-her-younger-self/" target="_blank">Heidi MacDonald</a>)</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-83589584204391391712018-01-08T12:00:00.000+08:002018-01-08T12:00:50.920+08:00Cartoon: Being Illegal is Unbearable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFxVY4s7KDtcBbM6Y7pzGdDdB7D4T7FaKjb9owKbpzdLUWcjZ5xMemfu1sVDMkjUJC1i6Ieg6OmMyQFsUGsE004I6f9EmenOPKQ20GSkSjpbjDm6OTwc0AmctkqBPYZEyJ1VeCg/s1600/being-illegal-is-unbearable.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Being Illegal is Unbearable Syrian refugees in Lebanon tell their stories. by Rawand Issa." border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFxVY4s7KDtcBbM6Y7pzGdDdB7D4T7FaKjb9owKbpzdLUWcjZ5xMemfu1sVDMkjUJC1i6Ieg6OmMyQFsUGsE004I6f9EmenOPKQ20GSkSjpbjDm6OTwc0AmctkqBPYZEyJ1VeCg/s1600/being-illegal-is-unbearable.jpeg" title="Being Illegal is Unbearable Syrian refugees in Lebanon tell their stories. by Rawand Issa." width="540" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Go to: <a href="https://thenib.com/being-illegal-is-unbearable" target="_blank">The Nib</a>, by Rawand Issa</div>
Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14749167.post-60469899541893197432017-12-31T23:30:00.000+08:002017-12-31T23:30:00.161+08:002017 Comic Reviews and Commentary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjicKyFb7EZb-R2Z5Dqub0T3r9oaanwJKh_lpaBflVcnmIWRT0e7u5tEImCLXiuEWWj0RCxD6pT72S2zspMr1MfIr831hPWyF4DPx2w4VZftff9iSkYCURkA4AmihObJ3JVQDM0Q/s1600/Calexit-001-010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Calexit #1, Story: Matteo Pizzolo Art: Amancay Nahuelpan Colors: Tyler Boss Flats: Dee Cunniffe Maps: Richard Nisa Letters: Jim Campbell Flags: Robert Anthony Jr. Assistant: Philip W. Smith II." border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjicKyFb7EZb-R2Z5Dqub0T3r9oaanwJKh_lpaBflVcnmIWRT0e7u5tEImCLXiuEWWj0RCxD6pT72S2zspMr1MfIr831hPWyF4DPx2w4VZftff9iSkYCURkA4AmihObJ3JVQDM0Q/s1600/Calexit-001-010.jpg" title="Calexit #1, Story: Matteo Pizzolo Art: Amancay Nahuelpan Colors: Tyler Boss Flats: Dee Cunniffe Maps: Richard Nisa Letters: Jim Campbell Flags: Robert Anthony Jr. Assistant: Philip W. Smith II." width="540" /></a></div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>Reviews:</i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/12/tetris-games-people-play.html">Tetris: The Games People Play</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/12/star-wars-captain-phasma.html">Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi - Captain Phasma</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/11/5000-km-per-second.html">5,000 km Per Second</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/11/a-users-guide-to-neglectful-parenting.html">A User’s Guide To Neglectful Parenting</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/11/love-and-lies-vol-1.html">Love and Lies Vol. 1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/10/she-and-her-cat.html">She and Her Cat</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-city-inside.html">A City Inside</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/10/wonder-woman-31.html">Wonder Woman #31</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/09/my-lesbian-experience-with-loneliness.html">My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness</a><br />
<a href="http://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/09/sheena-0-1.html">Sheena, Queen of the Jungle #0-1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/09/calexit-1.html">Calexit #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/08/solanin.html">Solanin</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/08/spy-seal-1.html">Spy Seal #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/08/mister-miracle-1.html">Mister Miracle #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/08/unbeatable-squirrel-girl-22.html">Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #22</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/07/batmanelmer-fudd-special.html">Batman/Elmer Fudd Special</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/07/wonder-woman-steve-trevor-special.html">Wonder Woman: Steve Trevor Special</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/06/loverboys.html">Loverboys</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/06/miss-kobayashis-dragon-maid-vol-1.html">Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid Vol. 1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/06/wonder-woman-annual-1.html">Wonder Woman Annual #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/05/flash-22.html">Flash #22</a><br />
<a href="http://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/05/libbys-dad.html">Libby's Dad</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/05/flash-21-batman-22.html">Flash #21 & Batman #22</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/04/action-comics-977-batman-21.html">Action Comics #977 & Batman #21</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/04/black-cloud-1.html">Black Cloud #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/04/guardians-of-louvre.html">Guardians of the Louvre</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/03/superman-19-action-comics-976.html">Superman #19 & Action Comics #976</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/03/man-thing-1.html">Man-Thing #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-old-guard-1.html">The Old Guard #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/02/wildcats-1.html">WildC.A.T.s #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/02/spawn-1.html">Spawn #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/01/justice-leaguepower-rangers-1.html">Justice League/Power Rangers #1</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-mighty-thor-15.html">The Mighty Thor #15</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-unstoppable-wasp-1.html">The Unstoppable Wasp #1</a><br />
<br />
<b><i>Commentary:</i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/12/more-nonsense-best-of-2017-part-2.html">More NonSense: Best of 2017, Part 2</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/12/more-nonsense-best-of-2017.html">More NonSense: Best of 2017</a><br />
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<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-circle-2017.html">The Circle (2017)</a><br />
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<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/04/arrival-2016.html">Arrival (2016)</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/03/more-nonsense-fighting-facism.html">More Nonsense: Fighting Facism</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/03/kong-skull-island-2017.html">Kong: Skull Island (2017)</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/03/logan-2017.html">Logan (2017)</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/02/rip-jiro-taniguchi-august-14-1947.html">R.I.P. Jiro Taniguchi (August 14, 1947 – February 11, 2017)</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/02/more-nonsense-youre-gonna-make-it-after.html">More NonSense: You’re gonna make it after all</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/01/more-nonsense-march.html">More NonSense: March</a><br />
<a href="https://nonsensicalwords.blogspot.com/2017/01/rip-tyrus-wong-october-25-1910-december.html">R.I.P. Tyrus Wong (October 25, 1910 – December 30, 2016)</a>Michael Buntaghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02890243918326417422noreply@blogger.com