Random Thoughts

I think Peiratikos misreads Jeff Parker's complaints about superhero comics. Peiratikos seems to think that Parker's view is contradictory and ironic... but I don't think he's being contradictory at all. He said that adults have co-opted the superhero form to the point where there are no superhero comics for kids anymore: "Yet they can't let go of the cape book, and the superheroes start killing each other and sleeping around, drinking, gambling, talking a whole lot ... the kid has wandered off by now in search of something where good guys fight bad guys in a fun way." Because readers of comic books are adults, the books have become adult power fantasies, instead of "adolescent power fantasies" that appeal to kids.

What Parker would like to see is for adults to find genres that fit adults instead of co-opting the kid genre. Now, I would disagree with him on this, but I don't think Parker feels that adults shouldn't read superheroes. He just feels that superheroes have gone over entirely into the realm of adults. Today's superhero comics from DC and Marvel are NOT written for kids. I can't even think of a mainstream comic I would let a kid read. We've "squeezed the bunnies to death". There aren't any comics written for kids. And that's his point, I think. That's what I got from reading his interview. Icons like Superman and Batman are written for adults now.

In other news, ADD has 5+ questions for Alan Moore. I don't know how he managed it, but all Alan Moore fans will want to read this one. Even if you aren't a big Alan Moore fan, it's worth reading for the insight.

Neil Gaiman warns us of Stalinist Monster Crabs Attacking Norway! "A snap of its claw is enough to remove a man's finger." However, another Norwegian says: "It's true the seabed now looks like the Sahara but they certainly taste good."

Here's a pretty intense tour of Chernobyl. The English isn't perfect, but it's more than adequate to get her points across. via die puny humans.

Speaking of intense, even Rush has begun to question Bush. And many former Bush supporters are now actively trying to get rid of him, according to this article. I don't know what to think. And your mileage may vary. via Blah3.com.