tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158363191342150400.post2526660963604434528..comments2023-08-19T07:17:51.865-04:00Comments on The Idea of Order: The SplurgeWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09259763240723322547noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158363191342150400.post-11331950197157108642008-01-15T11:45:00.000-05:002008-01-15T11:45:00.000-05:00Hey look, I'm late with a reply!I'm pretty much in...Hey look, I'm late with a reply!<BR/><BR/>I'm pretty much in agreement with you on <B>Black Dossier</B>, Wendy, although I think the story is there more than it might seem at first. The laughing joey Zone and Kate the Great might have gotten more out of the story than me, just 'cuz they knew more references than I did[*]. From what I've heard, the more of the references you get early on, the more it all ties together at the end. Still, if a narrative is that deeply buried, is it still a narrative at all? Time to call in the <B><A HREF="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hermeneutics/" REL="nofollow">Hermeneutics</A> Squad</B>[tm]!<BR/><BR/>I'm curious to hear what you think of rest of these books, especially <A HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=comicsresearc-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1897299060&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" REL="nofollow">Exit Wounds</A> and <A HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=comicsresearc-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1897299168&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" REL="nofollow">Sortcomings</A>. I've heard mixed on <B>Wounds</B>, and I grew increasingly tired of <B>Tomine</B>'s 20-something angst once I got into my mid-30s.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I don't have that <A HREF="http://www.comicsresearch.org/cartoonists.html#mccay" REL="nofollow">McCay</A> <A HREF="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=comicsresearc-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=1933160659&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" REL="nofollow">Rarebit book</A>, actually. The publisher, <B>Checker Books</B>, has great taste in choosing what to reprint, but I fond the quality of the production and editorial matter really lacking. I'd still like this one, natch; however, I splurged on <B>Ulrih Merkl</B>'s <A HREF="http://www.rarebit-fiend-book.com" REL="nofollow">absolutely amazing, amazing edition of the Rarebit strips</A> instead. Check out the book's <A HREF="http://www.rarebit-fiend-book.com" REL="nofollow">website</A> for all the details; it's so chock-full of info, it's like a <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=criterion&tag=comicsresearc-20&index=dvd&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325" REL="nofollow">Criterion DVD</A> on paper. But hey - it does include a DVD-rom with the entire text of the book, plus scans of every ding-dang Rarebit strip, plus even more. However, at $114.00 it's intended for the fanatic (<I>c'est moi</I>), not the casual reader. <BR/><BR/>The <B>Checker</B> volume you bought is clearly the better alternative for readers not as insane as some (<I>c'est moi</I>). But if your library supports comics and comics studies at all, <I>force them to order this book</I>. And when ordering, be sure to mention that Gene sent you!<BR/><BR/>[*]Although I did laugh out loud when I grokked that Moore & O'Neil were working up to the origin of <A HREF="http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/fireball.htm" REL="nofollow">Fireball XL5</A>! :-)Gene Kannenberg, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04557131306122319206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158363191342150400.post-79833479065780027852008-01-13T18:02:00.000-05:002008-01-13T18:02:00.000-05:00The grape, huh? Well, that's a clear indication f...The grape, huh? Well, that's a clear indication from the heavens that you need to drink wine.<BR/><BR/>So, are those graphic novels ones I should read for out Book Club? I'm apparently the only person who didn't yet read 'Black Dossier' & I desperately want to.<BR/><BR/>Oh, would anyone else like to join our book club? So far, we've gone great lengths to not read the Faulkner book I picked out. Any suggestions for something else we won't read?The Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01941890139358671232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158363191342150400.post-42434973334735636282008-01-08T13:03:00.000-05:002008-01-08T13:03:00.000-05:00Cranky, you might want to check out Jess Nevins' a...Cranky, you might want to check out Jess Nevins' <A HREF="http://www.enjolrasworld.com/Jess%20Nevins/Black%20Dossier/dossier.html" REL="nofollow">annotations</A> to the <I>Black Dossier</I> for more info -- there was enough obscure stuff that I made use of the annotations afterward.<BR/><BR/>I agree, story is more satisfying than endless winking. I suspect the next (non-DC) episode will return to that (or so one hopes). Moore is no doubt glad to wash his hands of DC now.<BR/><BR/>We have not been to Barnett's Books -- clearly we need to put it on the itinerary.C. Margery Kempehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15910282257993793334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158363191342150400.post-3534881127891001432008-01-07T09:34:00.000-05:002008-01-07T09:34:00.000-05:00Black Dossier...It was okay, but I hated the endin...Black Dossier...<BR/><BR/>It was okay, but I hated the ending. Too pat and too "out there" to fit the story line.<BR/><BR/>Part of the problem with this book, is that one has to be really familiar with British literature to "get" what they are refering to. More so in this story than in the original Victorian stories.<BR/><BR/>Joey gaffawed through out the book because he knows. I don't. In fact, I know less about 20th century Brit Lit than 19th century (weird, huh?). And this book really relied on those "inside" jokes and references more so than the Victorian ones.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, my two cents...<BR/><BR/>Other than that, it's always good to get out and buy books. I don't think people do that too much these days. except our little circle, but then again, we're all smarter that way. :-)CLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18348533141508294220noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-158363191342150400.post-15173000853136305102008-01-06T12:32:00.000-05:002008-01-06T12:32:00.000-05:00Ah, bookstores...Rod and I made a detour home on N...Ah, bookstores...<BR/><BR/>Rod and I made a detour home on New Year's through Barnett's Books in Wallingford. Every year at this time, they have a half price sale before they close down for the month. I go shamelessly crazy. I picked up twelve old European graphic novels including Ginger Fox, some how to draw books for my students, and numerous other books on a variety of subjects which are now on my "to read in the future" list like most of the other hundreds of books on my bookshelves.<BR/><BR/>Interesting you mentioned Persepolis. I found it very hard to put down. Persepolis 2 was quite another story. I think of it as the "Blankets" syndrome, referring to Craig Thompson's self-indulgent follow up to "Good-bye Chunky Rice". I've come to the conclusion that sometimes good stories happen completely by accident.Elena Steierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12794439985625337214noreply@blogger.com