One Article That May Rattle the Internet

This article by Doug Harvey in the LA Weekly may be the most entertaining of all the coverage related to the Masters of American Comics exhibit -- a list of ten distinct comics publications that shook up the world of funnybooks. The writer makes a pretty strong case for his choices throughout, and make some important, fine distinctions. It's gratifying to see a mid-Jack Kirby run issue of Fantastic Four as the significant one rather than Fantastic Four #1, as I've long felt it's the consistent line-wide quality of Marvel for a period of four or five years that really made an impact rather than a lightning bolt approach apparent with various first issues, so an issue representative of one of Marvel's five or six astounding serial runs seems really appropriate. Kudos to the art department for using the original Love and Rockets #1 cover; demerits for using the magazine rather than the comic book Howard the Duck.

As a critic, I would probably disagree most strongly with Harvey's post-RAW selections. I admire the impulse in placing Dirty Plotte #1 on the list, but the uniquely formatted, lavishly produced, full-bore formalistic assault of ACME Novelty Library #1 changed the way alt-comics presented themselves on every level and should probably occupy its spot. And while I look forward to a comics world where Kramer's Ergot #4 is a touchstone, the first exposure that most people had to that whole approach to comics art probably came from that Marvel Benefit issue of Coober Skeber, and a purer expression came in Mat Brinkman's seminal mini-comics like Kap Trap. Still, this is a fun and formidable article.

It's also part of a suite of pretty engaging comics-related stories, all worth reading:a review of the museum show, a profile of Jim Shaw's comics-related work, a tour of comic shops and an interview with Tony Millionaire.
 
posted 7:03 am PST | Permalink
 

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