Comics on the brain?

Over the past few years my friends have tried their best to introduce me to the world of comic books and graphic novels. And though I still cannot stand the ugly, annoying, and confusing superhero ones like X-men and all that, there have definitely been many that have struck my fancy. Though I am not willing to learn 50+ years of back story and character history in order to understand a scene with two Justice League members, a twelve trade series is ok. Certain authors have become favorites, and even some series. I'm v. picky when it comes to comics. The artwork has to grab me or I can't read it. I like books because no one can screw up my view of things with something ugly or garish. And there are still those out there that just are too dumb for words.

So what makes me pick one up? First, who wrote it? If it's by Warren Ellis or Garth Ennis I'll probably read it. I just read a dumber than dumb one-shot by Ellis that he wrote after a joke he made. Seriously, I'll pick up anything of his - it's sick. Garth Ennis is also a sick man, and that makes me love him. He's wicked funny. Yes, I just used the word wicked. The only exception is when they write parts of those superhero series I don't like.
I look to see if it's a title that a friend has recommended. These folks are seriously hard core fans of the comics world. They know the evolution and history of a character going back to the Golden Age. At this point most know what I like and I can trust their recomendations (except Bad World which, though well drawn and well written by Mr Ellis, had burned things into my brain that I'd rather not remember).
As mentioned, the art is a big player. Comics are a visual medium and I'm not about to waste my time reading something if it's surrounded by crappy sketching or blinding neon colors (hello New Mutants ones I needed to read for a game). If you value your writing, you'll find a great artist to present it. I started reading The Authority, created by Warren Ellis. When he wrote it there was an artist that I really enjoyed (Brian Hitch, I think?) who made spreads that could never be captured in a page of words. Then the writer and artist changed and I was done with it. Ew - whoever it was turned every guy into this huge, broad-shouldered, no-neck creature. Couldn't take it.
Story topics, of course, comes in to it. Sure there are a few superhero-type ones, but those are usually the funnier ones (like Hitman) and a little off-beat. I like ones that stretch what the medium is about. Most recently I finished Brian K. Vaughan's Pride of Baghdad. It is about the lions that escaped from teh Baghdad zoo in 2003 and were roaming around the city until shot by US soldiers. It's from the point of view of the lions. It's a unique story and beautifully written. The art by Niko Henrichon is moving. One reason for my love of Ellis, besides his wit, is his using comics to explore what interests him. Space travel, you say? Enter Orbiter (see previous entry) and Ministry of Space. He is almost an anthropologist in his exploration of the world and humanity and everything is fodder for the page.


I have found that far more comics and graphic novels are appearing on my LibraryThing than is really representative of my reading habits, choices, and desires. Warren Ellis has taken over my Author Cloud. Because they are so short and quick, I tend to squeeze in one or two while reading a longer work (I'm still getting through Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass - a late edition with all the addins) or when I'm busy reading parts of reference material for research. No one actually reads those long archaeology tomes cover to cover, I swear! I work in a library and many comics come across my path that I don't seek out, and I just read them quickly before sending them on their way. This is what happened with the two recent ones, Pride of Baghdad and Hitman.

There is some merit to this medium (NOT genre, people). It's another means of conveying story, emotion, meaning. It's not the same as Golden Age Superman anymore.

Back in to Orbit

Orbiter

Warren Ellis's Orbiter is set on a future Earth. The scene opens on a dilapidated Kennedy Space Center that has become a shanty town. Manned space flight has ended. The worst has happened. A decade earlier the shuttle Venture and her crew vanished without a trace. Space exploration pretty much stopped.

Then suddenly the ship returns, her crew gone but for her captain. He is crazy. The ship is changed. Who will figure out the mystery? The military? The former astronauts? The rocket scientists? The shrink?

The story grips you in the ways that the science fiction from the 1950s did. I am a huge dork about space, space travel and exploration. I'm a wannabe astronaut who would be heartbroken if manned space flight ever truly ended.

I picked up this graphic novel for the same reason that I've picked up so many - Warren Ellis. And he does not disappoint. Orbiter is less of the cutting remarks and weirdness that marks so much of works, such as Transmetropolitan, and more focused on the science fiction story he is creating. Any fan of classic science fiction stories, of Asimov and Sagan, will enjoy Orbiter.

I suggest beginning with Ellis's introduction. It is far from necessary to enjoy the story, but it helps you appreciate where he is coming from. It is dedicated to the astronauts who died in the Columbia accident, and it is clear why. Any accident or problem that occurs with space flight threatens its future. The is a multi-billion dollar venture, and the public is always wary of putting human lives on the line. I feel that Orbiter comes from Ellis's heart, much more that those works that come from his internet surfing and wit. Oh, his wit and humour is still there. It is still a Warren Ellis work. But it feels different.

Orbiter is a must read for any Ellis fan, any sci-fi fan, and any space flight fan. Even people who don't like comics/graphic novels need to read this one. The art work by Colleen Doran is clean and beautiful. Just look at the amazing cover and you'll want to open it up for more.


(image from Amazon.com - buy Orbiter)