wednesday comics.

Mainstream superhero comics, I <3 you. I really, really do. I know it's been a while since we've seen each other, and that you may have done me wrong in the past, but I think I'm ready to give you another shot.

Our first encounter was a memorable one, to say the least. It was the ninth grade. I was in what was, at the time, my local comic shop, innocently perusing the shelves, when something caught my eye. It was THIS:



Astonishing X-Men 5. I had heard great things on the web, and the internet had never lied to me, so I decided to check it out. John Cassaday's art was stunning, and Joss Whedon's writing was equally stellar. (Yes, the Buffy guy.) Dammit, Comics, you had me at hello.

And thus began our three-year long love affair. A very EXPENSIVE love affair. Why did I give you up? As much as I hate to say it, money was a factor. At over $4 an issue, you were getting to be a very expensive habit, especially once I was following over 15 books a month. However, I'd be lying if I said that was all that did it. You did some pretty stupid things yourself, Comics. Some of your "summer blockbuster" crossovers were real disappointments. (I'm looking at you, Civil War.) Also, in all honesty, 95% of you was pretty darn stupid.

But my stars and garters, that 5%. When you were on, comics, you were ON. Runaways. Invincible. Seven Soldiers. Final Crisis. The aforementioned Astonishing X-Men. So much amazing. (Amazing that I'll probably talk about in further detail in the weeks to come.)

Really, Comics, you're a large part of why I'm at OCAD right now. That amazing 5% served as amazing inspiration, and for those three tumultuous years, I was surrounded by amazing illustrations. You may not be my career of choice, but you helped me get to where I am right now, and for that, I'll be eternally grateful.

And so, it is with some apprehension that I have decided to come back to you, Comics. Let's start fresh. You have some amazing stuff coming down the pipeline that I really want to be a part of. Morrison/Quitely on Batman and Robin, Kathryn Immonen on Runaways, and Wednesday Comics, the only book where I can find Paul Pope, Karl Kerschl, Brian Stelfreeze, Ryan Sook, Sean Galloway, Ben Caldwell and Amanda Conner in one place... EVERY WEEK! I don't think I can pass that up.

Oh, I can't quit you, babe. I guess I just had to put you down for a while.

#0007

spook country.

I just finished reading "Spook Country", a novel by seminal cyberpunk author William Gibson, (pictured above as a younger man.) Did I enjoy it? Well, I was up 'til 3:30 last night reading the last 100 pages.

"Spook Country" is set in what seems to be an alternate, slightly more technologically advanced version of our world, yet one that is still extremely familiar. There are PowerBooks, Volkswagens, and unprotected wi-fi networks (FTW). Of course, there are also virtual reality helmets, locative art installations, and strange Japanese narcotics with funky-sounding names like RIZE. The story follows three separate protagonists, each on mysterious and suspenseful journeys that inevitably converge.

I had previously read Gibson's most well known work, "Neuromancer", (a huge influence on the Matrix; check it out,) and what I admire most about his writing is his ability to craft strange and futuristic worlds that, through the usage of certain familiar aspects, feel wholly real. Some of the technologies at use throughout "Spook Country," seem like they could probably be put on the market tomorrow, while many others are already ubiquitous.

Also, the characters are just so darn COOL. One of our main characters, freelance journalist Hollis Henry, was the former singer for a 90's cult band called The Curfew. In the novel, she is on assignment for Node, a European magazine that, for all intents and purposes, doesn't seem to exist. Another, a Cuban-Chinese twentysomething named Tito, plays the keyboards, wears APC, and constantly listens to his iPod Nano.

This book was a blast. Marvelously written, beautifully paced, and, once again, totally cool. I think I may have to check out the rest of his oeuvre later this summer.

PS: I picked up a few books at Value Village the other day, so expect more lit-related posts as I finish said books. First up: Carl Sagan's "Contact". I was going to take a break from sci-fi, but I got about ten pages in and just couldn't stop. SO GOOD. I enjoyed the movie, hopefully the book is even better.

PPS: Sorry about the total lack of updates this week, I've felt like death over the past few days. Feeling better though, so hopefully that's all behind me.

#0005

hipster uniform, part one.

I can't count how many times I've seen this outfit (or variations of it) while walking down Queen Street. Oversized plaid shirt, leather belt, denim shorts. Oy.

However, that's not to say that I mind. As irritating as I sometimes find hipsters, I can't help but admit that hipster girls are damn cute. Call it a love/hate relationship. To be quite honest, they were a factor when I decided to go to OCAD. Only after starting classes did I realize that the hipster girls are all in the art faculty. Is it too late to switch?

(By the by, I'll probably be doing more hipster-related posts in the future, hence the "part one." What could be next? Low-slung skinny jeans? Moustaches? Only time will tell.)

#0004