For
a few weeks, I'm running a series of guest posts from my friends over
at That Comic Smell podcast. The pieces are any length, style, whatever.
The only brief I gave was to write something about comics. First up
is Tom Stewart.
Dear
comics,
I
think it’s about high time you and me sat down for a little chat.
Don’t worry I won’t take up too much of your time. Before you
ask, yes I have been fine. No I haven’t had time to read any of
your vast back catalogues as of recent. I’m still trying to plough
my way through “The Stand” which is taking approximately
100 years. I’m sure you will still be there when I finish up though.
Enough
about me, let’s talk about you. Haven’t you been a busy lot
recently? Not only have all of your medium been taken and adapted
into various films and TV Shows (Some good. Some utter shit) but your
vast array of genres, subject matter and styles are getting bigger
and bigger by the day. No your bum doesn’t look big on that shelf,
although some of your works do come in all shapes and sizes. I’m
just getting a bit shocked at how far you have come over the years.
The snowball that is comics (you) shows no signs of stopping either.
With the sheer enormity of comic conventions cropping up these days,
also the size that some of them have become is crazy!! It almost
seems like you’re a respected art form. Yet... are you?
As
far as I am aware, whenever I mention you to people I still get “oh,
that thing about superheroes. Isn’t that a bit kiddy” I honestly
thought that with the popularity of the superheroes these days that,
that kind of thing wouldn’t matter. It’s funny as well seeing as
how the folks that come away with such phrases are usually the first
people to sprout things like “Have you seen the new Avengers?” or
“Spoder-min looks AWESOME doesn’t it?” and that’s the problem
isn’t it? People only take you seriously when it suits them. They
don’t see you as this platform for artists and writers to get down
some of the most gutting punching and heart wrenching
philosophical/political ideologies on paper in an understandable
manner by accompanying it with diagrams and detailed references. To
show how really fucked up the world can be or similarly how their
world can be. To show the most romantic feelings ever conveyed or the
most evil even one person can commit. The power to tell someone’s
entire life and have it beautifully rendered also. To have 2 worlds
colliding in perfect synchronicity on paper. Writing and pictures.
I’ve got to say, you do one hell of a good job. These folks don’t
understand you the way we do. By “We” I of course mean your fans.
Now stop blushing, you know you have a massive fan base out there. I
mean hell, there is an entire industry of incredible writers and
artists that have worked with you over the years, there’s no need
to modest. Stand proud. You have worked with some of the best. Alan
Moore, Frank Quitely, Moebius, Frank Miller, Robert Crumb, Derf
Backderf, Scott Snyder, Jack “The King” Kirby, Stan “The Man”
Lee, Bill Finger, Steve Ditko, Mike Allred, to name but a few. These
folks have been eager to work with you too. You have a lot to be
proud of. So why do you reckon the stigma still?
Maybe
it’s that when you put pictures with words people think that it
lacks intelligence. Maybe that you lack imagination, even though I
can’t think of anything more imaginative than the majority of the
stories to come out of your being. Who knows?
All
I know is, those folks are missing out.
It’s
so good catching up with you. I know you don’t get a lot of time
due to the aforementioned rate in which you are growing. Yet, the
more you grow, the more I feel we all have time to catch up with you.
I
best let you get off though. You’ve got more minds to mould and
melt. I’m sure we will sit down and have another one of these catch
up’s soon. There are lots more we need to discuss in the future.
Take
care.
Tom
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