The Canon, the (admittedly Western) Consensus of Literary Greatness needs to be celebrated. Give me Shakespeare, Dante, Cervantes. Give me the Brothers Karamazov and the Bronte Sisters. Give me Joseph Conrad and Hemingway and- why not?- David Foster Wallace.
Or, as it suits the current "ready-for-the-zombies" mood, give me REVELATION:
But I'm not sure that Russ Kick's "The Graphic Canon" is the way to celebrate it. On paper, (and it's a book, so it IS on paper), this is the year's MUST BUY: A gigantic, luxurious, three volume compendium of classics adapted graphically by some of the greatest names working the panel circuit. (Crumb, Peter Kuper, Gareth Hinds.) It's a beautiful concept and a beautiful book...
Except...
Some classics just don't translate well to comic book form. I feel that more than a few of these artists are selling themselves short in ill-fitting work. We've spent such a long time forwarding the idea that comics work on an inherently different level than paintings or novels... and here we go and subjugate them to "important stuff"? 70% of the pieces in "The Graphic Canon" are stilted, awkward, overly reverent. A Shakespearean sonnet simply does not need pretty artwork to trap it.
Also off-putting is Kick's self-congratulating role as visionary editor in the prologue. Dude, it's been done, this is NOT the revolution:
But I'm being cantankerous. Some pieces on the first volume, (the only one released as of this writing) do work beautifully, and there's doubtless gems in the two follow-ups. How about this: It's a WHY-NOT BUY. (And I can't wait for Dame Darcy to tackle "Blood Meridian" on Volume 3.)
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Too much reverence also proves to be a problem for A. J. Jacobs in "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Journey to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible."
Jacobs, (the agnostic editor at large for Esquire) sets out to follow ALL the Biblical rules for a year, (yes, even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff). SPOILER: It can't be done. The result is a hilarious look into religion that comes with a surprisingly spiritual uplift. It could all have been a bizarre experiment on growing an unruly beard or stoning the adulterous neighbors, but Jacobs' journey is well researched, loaded with historical and religious tidbits you won't soon forget. Did you know it's wrong to say "Mazel Tov"? (It means "Good stars" or "constellations" and smacks of astrology, a.k.a witchcraft.) You're probably aware that your clothes and haircuts are at this very moment sinfully violating some Biblical rule (Are you wearing mixed fabrics, infidel?!? Harlot, hast thou had a SUPERCUTS haircut?). You probably knew that watching TV and movies is an idolatrous sin because thou shalt not make images of any gods, (man is in God's image, sayeth the good book!), and everyone can agree that watching "American Idol" or "Bruce Almighty" might as well be instant damnation. But did you know that you can talk about Serena Williams but not her sister, because it's a sin to say the name of any god other than... well, it's actually a sin to say God too. G_D, recall. Praising Thor on Thurs Day and making him an Avenger? No, no, no! Oy vey!
Jacobs may strike a Mosaic pose on the book cover- commandments in one hand, Starbucks cup of coffee on the other- but this isn't a mockery of religion. His initial points are well-taken: it takes high levels of psychopathy to literally transplant the mores and fashions of bygone eras into the present; people who quote given Biblical lines to attack others are themselves stomping daily past hundreds of ridiculous, outdated regulations. But things deepen as the wacky adventures confront him with his own lack of spirituality and, after a series of hilarious and moving epiphanies, he finds that the Bible is more than some sort of dictatorial manual, but also a depository of wisdom, faith and comfort.
Ultimately, he learns what I hope most Dear Imaginary Readers can get down with: You take the worthwhile bits from the past, and grow from there. The detailed instructions for the Yahweh-appeasing, lamb-slaughtering holocaust? They can stay in the Good Book.
Or, as it suits the current "ready-for-the-zombies" mood, give me REVELATION:
 |
| ABOVE: Drugs are so much fun! |
Except...
Some classics just don't translate well to comic book form. I feel that more than a few of these artists are selling themselves short in ill-fitting work. We've spent such a long time forwarding the idea that comics work on an inherently different level than paintings or novels... and here we go and subjugate them to "important stuff"? 70% of the pieces in "The Graphic Canon" are stilted, awkward, overly reverent. A Shakespearean sonnet simply does not need pretty artwork to trap it.
Also off-putting is Kick's self-congratulating role as visionary editor in the prologue. Dude, it's been done, this is NOT the revolution:
 |
| ABOVE: Come, Hamlet! To the comic book section! |
+++
Too much reverence also proves to be a problem for A. J. Jacobs in "The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Journey to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible."
 |
| ABOVE: Baa. Baa. I need a baaaath! |
Jacobs may strike a Mosaic pose on the book cover- commandments in one hand, Starbucks cup of coffee on the other- but this isn't a mockery of religion. His initial points are well-taken: it takes high levels of psychopathy to literally transplant the mores and fashions of bygone eras into the present; people who quote given Biblical lines to attack others are themselves stomping daily past hundreds of ridiculous, outdated regulations. But things deepen as the wacky adventures confront him with his own lack of spirituality and, after a series of hilarious and moving epiphanies, he finds that the Bible is more than some sort of dictatorial manual, but also a depository of wisdom, faith and comfort.
Ultimately, he learns what I hope most Dear Imaginary Readers can get down with: You take the worthwhile bits from the past, and grow from there. The detailed instructions for the Yahweh-appeasing, lamb-slaughtering holocaust? They can stay in the Good Book.
2 comments:
u`re very smart and gifted guy, ur pictures are nice, ur tastes in literature is perfect!
Awww, thanks Spammy!
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