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I'm taking a Smithsonian class through EdX right now: "The Rise of Superheroes and Their Impact on Culture." Every online class I've ever taken has a requisite "introduce yourself" post at the beginning of the class, but they are usually kind of boring. This one, though, was so much fun to think about and to write that I thought I'd share it with you all:
Why did I decide to enroll in
Superheroes?
Because there's always more to learn, even though I've taught
graphic novels and comic books and presented about using them in the classroom
multiple times. Also: Stan Lee is one of the teachers.
What am I most excited about
learning about?
The creative process behind the comic books. Rhetorical analysis and historical analysis and looking at comics as modern fairy tales, I've done. (Love thinking about how the theories of Jack Zipes apply to the changes in the big name heroes.) I'm trying to push myself to be more creative, too, so this fits perfectly.
The creative process behind the comic books. Rhetorical analysis and historical analysis and looking at comics as modern fairy tales, I've done. (Love thinking about how the theories of Jack Zipes apply to the changes in the big name heroes.) I'm trying to push myself to be more creative, too, so this fits perfectly.
What am I hoping to achieve in
the course?
I'm coming into this class with limited expectations. Learning? Growing? Fun? I am really just taking this class for poops and giggles, even though it will likely look nice on my CV.
I'm coming into this class with limited expectations. Learning? Growing? Fun? I am really just taking this class for poops and giggles, even though it will likely look nice on my CV.
Who is my favorite superhero?
Why?
GAH! How can one pick? My favorite comic book character isn't a superhero in the traditional sense. Usagi Yojimbo is my boy, but that's no surprise. I adore samurai films (especially Kurosawa) but I'm also a sucker for fierce animals. For a more traditional "superhero" pick, it's probably Hellboy. Sure, he's a demon, but he's always seemed more "real" to me than so many others. Also, Mike Mignola's art style resonates with me. There's a newer character of whom I'm fond but I don't know her as well yet: Zephyr (Faith Herbert). It's an oft heard refrain, but representation really matters. Seeing a rad fatty flying? Awesome.
GAH! How can one pick? My favorite comic book character isn't a superhero in the traditional sense. Usagi Yojimbo is my boy, but that's no surprise. I adore samurai films (especially Kurosawa) but I'm also a sucker for fierce animals. For a more traditional "superhero" pick, it's probably Hellboy. Sure, he's a demon, but he's always seemed more "real" to me than so many others. Also, Mike Mignola's art style resonates with me. There's a newer character of whom I'm fond but I don't know her as well yet: Zephyr (Faith Herbert). It's an oft heard refrain, but representation really matters. Seeing a rad fatty flying? Awesome.
Who are my all-time top 5
favorite superheroes? What is my favorite comic for each?
I don't like typical superheroes, but since I already discussed my real favorites above, I'm going to list 5 comics or graphic novels that I love that have mainstream superheroes:
I don't like typical superheroes, but since I already discussed my real favorites above, I'm going to list 5 comics or graphic novels that I love that have mainstream superheroes:
- Batman
in "Library of
Souls." I'm a librarian, so anything library-esque catches
my attention. And in this book, Batman has one of the most groaningly
awful good lines I've ever seen: "He pulled out a Saturday Night
Special. Too bad it was Friday night."
- Any
of the animal cyborgs in WE3 by
Grant Morrison, but the bunny most of all. Using animals to show us our
own mortality is brilliant, and the rabbit was perhaps the bravest of the
group.
- Superman
in The Wake by Neil Gaiman. That
cracked, although not broken, fourth wall moment when he and Batman talk
about nightmares where they are really actors playing themselves in a
television show...? That moment has always stuck with me, and creative
moments that stick feel like Art instead of art.
- Death
at any point in "The Sandman" series, but especially
in The Kindly Ones when she comes to
take her brother. Her kind but absolute honesty is so different from all
of her siblings, and her ability to find joy in her life is
inspiring.
- And
I know I promised to stick to traditional superheroes, but I can't not
mention one of my newest favorite characters: Lying Cat. She may
only be a supporting character in the plot of "Saga,"
but she feels to me like the voice of the series.
Who are some of my favorite authors and
illustrators? Evan Dorkin, for sure. LOVE Beasts
of Burden. Bryan Talbot, too. His storytelling ability slays me. Scott McCloud. His ability
to teach by demonstrating in his works is amazing. Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba - I am always happy when I read their
books. I don't even care what the story lines are, I know I'm going to love it. Gene Luen Yang (I don't
remember this, but I've been told I squeaked when I met him in person). He's another
artist/author with amazing storytelling skills. Jill
Thompson... I was introduced to her drawing style in "The
Sandman" series and try to follow her wherever she goes. Ursula Vernon. I wish I
could live inside her art sometimes - so beautifully surreal. I could go on and
on and on.
How do I engage with other comic
fans in your local community and/or online?
I mostly don't engage in the local community, but I do go to the tiny comic con they have in my city every year. This year I'll even be presenting! On a panel with an English professor (at the college where I work) and an English teacher (at a local high school) about integrating comics into the curriculum. Online, I chat with friends and follow my favorite publishers (Dark Horse, Fantagraphics, Image) on Twitter so I can keep up with what's new.
I mostly don't engage in the local community, but I do go to the tiny comic con they have in my city every year. This year I'll even be presenting! On a panel with an English professor (at the college where I work) and an English teacher (at a local high school) about integrating comics into the curriculum. Online, I chat with friends and follow my favorite publishers (Dark Horse, Fantagraphics, Image) on Twitter so I can keep up with what's new.
So how about you?
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