Meanwhile...

Welcome to the first of many journeys around what's known collectively as the comic blogosphere. The blogosphere seems to grow larger every day and just like comics, sometimes it's pretty easy to get a little lost. "Meanwhile..." will act as your map pointing out what interesting discussions are happening out there while you’re reading the Great Curve. Sit back, relax, and let’s take a look, shall we?

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Jim Roeg of Double Articulation examines the thematical bridge between three Marvel comics he purchased when he was five. As in most of his discussions he deals with a variety of subjects including gender issues and how comics can deal with political issues and still have the power to affect young minds as they mature.

"Does our choice of objects reveal who we “are” already? Even at age 5? Do we disclose our identities by the comics we read? Or do the comics we read actually change who we become? And do superhero comics provide an unusually fertile ground for broadening the possibilities of what it is possible to imagine becoming?"

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With all the brouhaha going on with Infinite Crisis lately everyone seems to be talking about the Silver Age Superman. Well, Harvey Jerkwater gives us a reason to remember the Bronze Age Superman. As you can probably see, he wasn't someone to mess with.

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Scipio celebrates Black History Month over at the Absorbascon by detailing his favorite African American DC Characters. So far you can read about Black Manta, Tempest, Tyroc, Kid Quantum II, Cyborg, Shondra Kinsolving, Lucius Fox, The Spectre (possible spoilers), Killer Croc, Mr. Bones, and The Tooth. Whew, I'm sure there's more to come too!

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Like free comics? Johnny Bacardi wants to help by giving away a full set of the Root Nibot/Colleen Coover Oni miniseries Banana Sunday! Here are the details:

"All you have to do to qualify is send me naked pictures of your girlfriend email me at johnnybacardi_ (at)excite dot com (mind the underscore), and after collecting entries for two weeks, I'll have a third party draw one name out of a hat, and that'll be the winner!

This contest is open only to those living in the continental US. I'm paying the postage, and as much as I'd like to include my overseas friends, my generosity has its limits and overseas shipping is a bitch. Send your name and mailing address when you enter. Cutoff date is 12:30 AM Thursday, February 23."

Good luck!

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H continues to index his comics at the Comic Treadmill, this time focusing on Astro City. He hits all the high points about why this series is so great, but wonders why his enthusiasm for the series seemed to wane over time.

"I remember being captivated by this series when it first came out. And re-reading these issues to do this entry on them reminded me why. But somewhere along the line since then I’ve lost so much enthusiasm for the series that I can’t even tell you if it’s still being published regularly and I’m fairly certain that I missed issues even though I would never have intentionally passed one by.

So the big question is why has my enthusiasm waned?"

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Are you a fan of Guy Gardner? If so this may be your week as The Comics Asylum declares this Guy Gardner Week and promises to "journey through some of Guy's most memorable blunders in making his friends seem more like his foes and admire a character who shows just how much he doesn't care what you think, just by having that haircut."

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Chris Arrant has a way with words and my tastes in art, design, and comics seem to meld pretty well with his.

"The medium of art is fluid. Although there are a vast array of specialized mediums from fine art to digital art to outsider art to abstract art, the boundaries between these are transparent, porous and inviting. Although a vast majority of comic artists are seemingly inspired solely by the comics artists that have come before them, there are some that take their influences from textbooks, museums, and the world around us."

What or who is he talking about? His excellent interview with Brandon Graham.

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If your curious about manga and still don't know where to start Johanna at Comics Worth Reading may have a few suggestions for you. Out of her suggestions I've only tried Planetes, but given her tastes I may try out a few more. See anything you might like?

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Are Diamond Book Distributors doing a good job? Christopher Butcher examines the issue over at comics212.net and comes up with "Only if you're Dark Horse, Marvel, or publish manga." Check out his post on the issue for the long answer.

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I'm always interested in what kids think about comics. Without bringing in new readers we're just an ever-dwindling medium. Greg, of Comics Should Be Good, realizes that and conducts his own focus group in his classroom. Check out the resultes, kids might not be drawn to the same things you would think.

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Sam Costello of the always entertaining comic and horror blog Dark, But Shining points out an in-depth interview with Charles Burns, creator of Black Hole.

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If you're interested in illustration Drawn is the place to be.

They've not only pointed out the wonderful video game inspired comics of Lifemeter, but they've introduced me to Michael Cho's art blog, and a themed illustration blog called the Blogarians too.

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Mike Sterling ladies and gentlemen; always there to point out the delicious irony in comics.

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Shawn Hoke of the mini-comics blog Size Matters has solved one of my comic storage problems for me. Click on over to see a unique solution to storing comics of differing sizes and shapes.

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Over at Supernaturally Kevin Melrose discusses, a topic near and dear to my heart, good cover design. If your interested make sure to check out this post continuing his look at the subject as well.

"With little or no consistency in sales display, it makes more sense to allow content to dictate design, which appears to be what Jean and DC/Vertigo have decided. Form follows function, and all of that."

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Sleestak takes a crack at examining the Invincible Iron-Man, the embodiment of America and Capitalism in comics.

"In the comics Tony Stark has always been the reflection in the mirror held up to American business. During the Cold War and Vietnam he was a genius weapons-maker. In the 70's he built homes for the poor and alienated the government when he determined he would no longer manufacture munitions. During the great Michelinie/Layton/Et Al run in the 80's he fought against personal failures and fought off hostile takeovers from the competition and the Government. The 90's...hurts to talk about. Basically Tony went insane and sucked. In recent years I was really enjoying Tony Stark as the Secretary of Defense until a cross-over screwed up the direction of the book."

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We'll end this weeks tour of the blogosphere with some pretty pictures. Pictures are always nice to remind you of your trip. This weeks illustration blog is Tropical Toxic. Tropical Toxic is the illustration blog of brothers Asaf and Tomer Hanuka, you may have seen their comic, Bipolar. On their blog you can follow their projects from idea to execution, learn how each idea develops, and the modifications that happen along the way. It provides an amazing look into the process that goes into being a modern illustrator.

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I hope you've enjoyed your tour. Hopefully I've given you something to chew on till our next trip. Until then, enjoy the rest of the blogosphere, and mind your step when exiting the vehicle.

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