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Based on the poem "Where They're Coming From", written by ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ysabetwordsmith during her most recent Poetry Fishbowl (with the theme of "Mad Scientists"), a discussion arose concerning what might happen if a victim of bullying somehow acquired the power to stop his or her torment (I'd recommend reading the poem and the resultant conversations). During one of the discussions, I was reminded of a web comic project I had done a number of years ago (before I was even fully aware of what a web comic was). The original project was presented as a very simple website with a single panel displayed at a time, looping continuously (so it's just as endless as bullying seems to be). I present here in more of a traditional web comic form:
(Trigger warning: bullying)
( The rest of the comic... )
ysabetwordsmith during her most recent Poetry Fishbowl (with the theme of "Mad Scientists"), a discussion arose concerning what might happen if a victim of bullying somehow acquired the power to stop his or her torment (I'd recommend reading the poem and the resultant conversations). During one of the discussions, I was reminded of a web comic project I had done a number of years ago (before I was even fully aware of what a web comic was). The original project was presented as a very simple website with a single panel displayed at a time, looping continuously (so it's just as endless as bullying seems to be). I present here in more of a traditional web comic form: (Trigger warning: bullying)
( The rest of the comic... )
The end of a legend
May. 11th, 2010 09:19 amWaiting for me at the bottom of the large box of comics I've collected through the years of my youth is a set of prints of the character sketches Frank Frazetta drew for the production of the animated film 'Fire and Ice.' I think that film really exemplified the worlds that Frazetta illustrated, these incredibly primal, violent, savage, yet beautiful and, ultimately, mythic realms, populated by epic characters of our era's making: Conan, Kull, Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, and many, many others. These are the 'Beowulfs' that I grew up with and nothing breathed more life and power into them than the artwork of Frazetta.
You will be missed, Frank.
You will be missed, Frank.
Holy complex metaphors, Batman!!!
Jul. 28th, 2008 02:36 pm Last night, I watched The Dark Knight. The hype is deserved... well deserved. I'll go through all the basics first:
* Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker is Oscar worthy - He brought a lot of things to his performance as the Clown Prince of Crime that surpassed even Jack Nicholson's portrayal of that role. Notable features include a strange philosophical sense of purpose to The Joker's typical malevolent mirth and an even stranger sensitivity that takes the role well beyond a typical comic villain.
* Though not as visually stunning as its predecessor, the cinematography is excellent.
* The action element, too, is dynamic, though, again not quite on par with Christopher Nolan's first in the series.
* The story is VERY plot driven - action and special effects clearly take a secondary importance in this film.
* Comic fans will be pleased to note that Nolan borrows strongly from some of the best writing from the Batman series. He tells his own Batman story whilst staying very true to the feel and themes connected with the 'Dark Knight.'
* Despite all the action and effects, The Dark Knight is clearly a thinking person's film, discussing a wide variety of topics, including just how little separates The Batman from The Joker.
Now on to the more serious stuff. There are three principle characters in this film: The Batman, The Joker, and District Attorney Harvey Dent. These three are used as symbols in a deep discussion of what is a person or society willing to sacrifice in order to be secure, especially under the threat of terrorism. The Joker, obviously, acts at the face of terrorism, pursuing goals that completely diverge from worldly agendas such as wealth, power and respect. Indeed, he visibily acts in contradiction to them. Dent becomes how modern Western society would like to see such problems resolved, in a manner that is forthright, honest and just. He is a paragon of conviction and virtue. He is the Hero that everyone wants. Unfortunately, whilst he proves effective against normal criminals, whose motivations are fathomable, he is unable to deal with The Joker. Thus, The Batman becomes what is necessary to defeat The Joker, though often uncomfortably approaching becoming what he stands against. He is effective, but despised for what he feels he must do and the sacrifices he must make. He can be seen as representing the 'War on Terrorism.' How others respond to him parallels the many opinions held of the actions of certain powers against their terrorist foes. Various other aspects of this complex philosophical discusssion are presented and represented by other characters as well.
Nolan doesn't seem to present any answers to the question, nor does he present this film as an apology for what has been done in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, The Joker makes pains to explain that he exists solely because The Batman does. What Nolan does seem to offer, however, is possible explanations of why this question exists, a springboard for further thought and discussion.
I did mention that this was a thinking person's film...
* Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker is Oscar worthy - He brought a lot of things to his performance as the Clown Prince of Crime that surpassed even Jack Nicholson's portrayal of that role. Notable features include a strange philosophical sense of purpose to The Joker's typical malevolent mirth and an even stranger sensitivity that takes the role well beyond a typical comic villain.
* Though not as visually stunning as its predecessor, the cinematography is excellent.
* The action element, too, is dynamic, though, again not quite on par with Christopher Nolan's first in the series.
* The story is VERY plot driven - action and special effects clearly take a secondary importance in this film.
* Comic fans will be pleased to note that Nolan borrows strongly from some of the best writing from the Batman series. He tells his own Batman story whilst staying very true to the feel and themes connected with the 'Dark Knight.'
* Despite all the action and effects, The Dark Knight is clearly a thinking person's film, discussing a wide variety of topics, including just how little separates The Batman from The Joker.
Now on to the more serious stuff. There are three principle characters in this film: The Batman, The Joker, and District Attorney Harvey Dent. These three are used as symbols in a deep discussion of what is a person or society willing to sacrifice in order to be secure, especially under the threat of terrorism. The Joker, obviously, acts at the face of terrorism, pursuing goals that completely diverge from worldly agendas such as wealth, power and respect. Indeed, he visibily acts in contradiction to them. Dent becomes how modern Western society would like to see such problems resolved, in a manner that is forthright, honest and just. He is a paragon of conviction and virtue. He is the Hero that everyone wants. Unfortunately, whilst he proves effective against normal criminals, whose motivations are fathomable, he is unable to deal with The Joker. Thus, The Batman becomes what is necessary to defeat The Joker, though often uncomfortably approaching becoming what he stands against. He is effective, but despised for what he feels he must do and the sacrifices he must make. He can be seen as representing the 'War on Terrorism.' How others respond to him parallels the many opinions held of the actions of certain powers against their terrorist foes. Various other aspects of this complex philosophical discusssion are presented and represented by other characters as well.
Nolan doesn't seem to present any answers to the question, nor does he present this film as an apology for what has been done in the fight against terrorism. Indeed, The Joker makes pains to explain that he exists solely because The Batman does. What Nolan does seem to offer, however, is possible explanations of why this question exists, a springboard for further thought and discussion.
I did mention that this was a thinking person's film...
Maybe I should change my nick...
Aug. 15th, 2006 04:24 pm | You scored as RAVEN. Most people think you're weird and creepy. They feel better, and worse, by being around you. You know you could be a demon, so you try hard to be a saint, healing those around you, no matter the cost to yourself. Try to have some fun once in a while, and work on your tan.
What Comic Book Teen Titan Are You? created with QuizFarm.com |
Note: Much of this actually fits; my inner world is quite contrasty, between the bright and dark bits. In regards to the weirdness, I figure most people see me as eccentric, rather than creepy, but that's my perception, I suppose...
That's so Raven...
Aug. 15th, 2006 12:31 amIt's dancingwriter's fault...
dancingwriter's fault... | You scored as Raven. You would marry RAVEN! Mysterious, Gothic and in command of supernatural forces, she is both saint and demon. Life with her would be Heaven or Hell, depending on you. She responds more to kindness than to charm. Remember that her father is a devil, so don't abandon her.
What Superheroine Would You Marry? created with QuizFarm.com |
Being a teacher, this is a natch...
Mar. 28th, 2005 07:16 pmCourtesy o' dancingwriter...
You are Professor X!
You are a very effective teacher, and you are very
committed to those who learn from you. You put
your all into everything you do, to some extent
because you fear failure more than anything
else. You are always seeking self-improvement,
even in areas where there is nothing you can do
to improve.
Which X-Men character are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla
dancingwriter...You are Professor X!
You are a very effective teacher, and you are very
committed to those who learn from you. You put
your all into everything you do, to some extent
because you fear failure more than anything
else. You are always seeking self-improvement,
even in areas where there is nothing you can do
to improve.
Which X-Men character are you most like?
brought to you by Quizilla
