When readin Jobnik I was looking at the illustrations and trying to find out why the illustrations looked so familiar to me. I realized finally, in class that the illustrations reminded me a lot of the illustrations and animations from the music video for "Mosh" a song by Eminem. The song is a song that fights against former president George Bush and argues against the war on terror. I wondered if they were somehow related. Thought the illustrations were clearly not done by the author of Jobnik, I think the basis and idea may have come from Jobnik.
Considering they are both military based tales may have something to do with it. The video being in a cartoon fashion and the rounded characters makes me wonder weather or not the video was a based of this graphic novel. I could not find any information on the topic, since there isn't a lot of comparison between modern music videos and graphic novels. I just thought there may be some connections being they are both military based tales.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Questioning of Faith
There are a number of graphic novels that revolve around a questioning of faith by the main character. This very humanistic and familiar feeling helps the reader relate with the character. "A Contract With God" and "The Rabbi's Cat" both displayed an intense questioning of faith, but to different degrees.
In "The Rabbi's Cat" the character definitely questions his faith, and even as the story concludes you do not know exactly where the rabbi stands on the matter of his faith. He seems to accept it as something he cannot fully understands, but he holds his faith. Opposed to "A Contract With God" in which the main character turns completely away from his faith when things do not go his way. This presents a question that has made me think and ponder for years. Do you accept your faith for what it is, even the things you can't understand, or do you look elsewhere, outside of faith for answers to the unanswerable questions of faith?
Reading graphic novels that really bring the characters to life by the drawings has caused me to look at my faith and consider things slightly differently. As this question has been in main stream media as well, namely I can think of the movie "Signs" it makes it interesting to read and ponder more on this question.
In "The Rabbi's Cat" the character definitely questions his faith, and even as the story concludes you do not know exactly where the rabbi stands on the matter of his faith. He seems to accept it as something he cannot fully understands, but he holds his faith. Opposed to "A Contract With God" in which the main character turns completely away from his faith when things do not go his way. This presents a question that has made me think and ponder for years. Do you accept your faith for what it is, even the things you can't understand, or do you look elsewhere, outside of faith for answers to the unanswerable questions of faith?
Reading graphic novels that really bring the characters to life by the drawings has caused me to look at my faith and consider things slightly differently. As this question has been in main stream media as well, namely I can think of the movie "Signs" it makes it interesting to read and ponder more on this question.
Like/Dislike The Rabbi's Cat
The Rabbi's Cat was a very interesting read to me. I very much enjoyed it, but I found it strange that so many people in the class did not. The best part of the graphic novel to me, was the ending. The openendedness left me thinking for hours and really intrigued me as to the contents of the second book.
Another thing i found quite intriguing that we did not disucss in class and I did not realize until reading some reviews online is that the cat never has a name. This may or may not have been intentional but I feel there was a reason for it. Maybe it was to keep the cat as a neutral character so he wasn't revealed as Jewish or non Jewish. It may also have been to keep the cat further from being a person. Since the cat could talk he was obviously very personified, but keeping him nameless keeps the reader calling him cat, thus the reader is reminded of the animal. Either way I think it is something to note and to think about.
The vast amount of religions also took me by surprise. The question of a man's own faith is something that most people can relate to. I think many people have had thoughts and doubts and questions about their faiths, but that is why it is called faith. People need to be able to believe in something that seems unreal. The "The Rabbi's Cat" was an excellent example of a very humanistic quality.
Another thing i found quite intriguing that we did not disucss in class and I did not realize until reading some reviews online is that the cat never has a name. This may or may not have been intentional but I feel there was a reason for it. Maybe it was to keep the cat as a neutral character so he wasn't revealed as Jewish or non Jewish. It may also have been to keep the cat further from being a person. Since the cat could talk he was obviously very personified, but keeping him nameless keeps the reader calling him cat, thus the reader is reminded of the animal. Either way I think it is something to note and to think about.
The vast amount of religions also took me by surprise. The question of a man's own faith is something that most people can relate to. I think many people have had thoughts and doubts and questions about their faiths, but that is why it is called faith. People need to be able to believe in something that seems unreal. The "The Rabbi's Cat" was an excellent example of a very humanistic quality.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
In the Shadow of No Towers
Art Spiegelman has solidified his name in comic book history forever with his creation of Maus, but there is much more to the author that just his masterpiece. He also wrote on one of the other most tragic events in the last century as he wrote "In the Shadow of No Towers" after the 9/11 attacks on the world trade center.
Spiegelman writes "In the Shadow of No Towers" with emotion and passion as he describes the events of that day from his perspective. The comic is written in a similar style as "'Maus" and Spiegelman even depicts his character at times as the same character used in "Maus". The emotional and powerful feelings that are evoked in "Maus" are brought out in this graphic novel. Critics accuse the author of not invoking the same depth that was in his previous masterpiece, but the events of 9/11 were one day where the Holocaust was several years.
Spiegelman has made a career out of taking traumatic events and illustrating them in a way that brings the harsh reality of these events to life. The events of 9/11 were very distant to some American's as it may not have effected people outside of New York. The author makes these events come to life through his beautiful writing and his gripping illustrations. The work and Pulitzer Prize winning writing of Art Spiegelman has taken some of the most difficult moments in human history and brought them to life for his readers through "Maus" and "In the Shadow of No Towers."
Spiegelman writes "In the Shadow of No Towers" with emotion and passion as he describes the events of that day from his perspective. The comic is written in a similar style as "'Maus" and Spiegelman even depicts his character at times as the same character used in "Maus". The emotional and powerful feelings that are evoked in "Maus" are brought out in this graphic novel. Critics accuse the author of not invoking the same depth that was in his previous masterpiece, but the events of 9/11 were one day where the Holocaust was several years.
Spiegelman has made a career out of taking traumatic events and illustrating them in a way that brings the harsh reality of these events to life. The events of 9/11 were very distant to some American's as it may not have effected people outside of New York. The author makes these events come to life through his beautiful writing and his gripping illustrations. The work and Pulitzer Prize winning writing of Art Spiegelman has taken some of the most difficult moments in human history and brought them to life for his readers through "Maus" and "In the Shadow of No Towers."
Spiegelmans Writing
Maus has been one of the best things I have ever read. Art Spiegelman's writing style has blown me away. The way the author was able to portray one of the most tragic events in the world's history while still separating the reader from the powerful events makes Maus an amazing read. The usage of animals is an interesting aspect of the novel and it contributes to the distancing of the reader from the harsh reality of the Holocaust. Spiegelman is also able to incorporate humor in the book, which seems difficult as the the topic is far from humorous. I admire the ability of Art Spiegelman and admired the difficulty of the topic of the writing. Criticism I have found on Maus refers to his use of animals as the characters. As each animal is a different race of people, critics have noted that he perpetuates racial stereotypes. I disagree with this in principle because it makes the book easy to read. It keeps things simple and it makes the visual aspect of the graphic novel very easy along with the dialog. Maus is an excellent read and I look forward to reading more of Spiegelman's works.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Thing of all Things
The Thing aka Ben Grimm has always been one of my favorite superhero characters. Though I will admit I am not as much of a comic book buff as many people in the class, I have seen most of the recent movies and really enjoyed the Fantastic Four movies. The things we learned about Ben Grimm's Jewish background was pretty cool to me. In the movies I don't realize the depth that each of these characters has. The Thing is clearly a representitive of minorities in America at that time. He has distinct, features that set him apart from the "norm".
The life history of The Thing really took me by surprise. The depth that Stan Lee created in each of these characters was astonishing to me. On this site, you can track some of the history of the Thing. I think what attracts people to the Thing are his very humanistic characteristics despite his super strength and superhuman attributes. He remains similar to all of us in that aspect. The Thing's Jewish background was very interesting, and makes me view the Fantastic Four's member in a different light.
Grimm's religious background has been outlined since the beginning of the comic books, but did not come clear until 2002 in "Remembrance of Things Past". Grimm has also died in the comic books only to be resurrected by God himself. This notes the first time in comic book history a superhero has been brought back to life by god and not a more comic book-like resurrection. The Thing also breaks many Jewish stereotypes such as passiveness, studiousness, and intelligence. Breaking these stereotypes makes a statement to society as well as to the comic book community.
The life history of The Thing really took me by surprise. The depth that Stan Lee created in each of these characters was astonishing to me. On this site, you can track some of the history of the Thing. I think what attracts people to the Thing are his very humanistic characteristics despite his super strength and superhuman attributes. He remains similar to all of us in that aspect. The Thing's Jewish background was very interesting, and makes me view the Fantastic Four's member in a different light.
Grimm's religious background has been outlined since the beginning of the comic books, but did not come clear until 2002 in "Remembrance of Things Past". Grimm has also died in the comic books only to be resurrected by God himself. This notes the first time in comic book history a superhero has been brought back to life by god and not a more comic book-like resurrection. The Thing also breaks many Jewish stereotypes such as passiveness, studiousness, and intelligence. Breaking these stereotypes makes a statement to society as well as to the comic book community.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Batman: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
We all know Batman as a legendary comic book character. We may all know him even better as the character played by Christian Bale in the highly successful recent movies produced by Christopher Nolan. Though we know Batman as a crime fighting, terrifying to criminals, stud, he has gone through a lot of changes through his history.
Batman made his first appearance in 1939 in a six page story called "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate". Batman was actually equipped with a gun in his beginnings as he shot a criminal in one comic, followed by DC disarming the vigilante. He would also kill criminals without hesitation, which is a significant difference from the current Batman where not killing anyone is his "one rule".
Creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger took Batman through countless changes. Changing his colors, adding things, taking things, away, to the portrayal we know now. Which brings up to the Batman of today. The Dark Knight was one of the highest grossing films of all time. With a powerhouse cast and an excellent story line taken from the graphic novels, Batman fans are asking what is in store for the next and allegedly last movie of the series. There are rumors floating all over the internet as to who the next Batman villain will be. A deep pool of DC characters and a long history of past villains are all in the equation. Do some research, who do you think will be the next Dark Knight villain?
Batman made his first appearance in 1939 in a six page story called "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate". Batman was actually equipped with a gun in his beginnings as he shot a criminal in one comic, followed by DC disarming the vigilante. He would also kill criminals without hesitation, which is a significant difference from the current Batman where not killing anyone is his "one rule".
Creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger took Batman through countless changes. Changing his colors, adding things, taking things, away, to the portrayal we know now. Which brings up to the Batman of today. The Dark Knight was one of the highest grossing films of all time. With a powerhouse cast and an excellent story line taken from the graphic novels, Batman fans are asking what is in store for the next and allegedly last movie of the series. There are rumors floating all over the internet as to who the next Batman villain will be. A deep pool of DC characters and a long history of past villains are all in the equation. Do some research, who do you think will be the next Dark Knight villain?
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