A little closer to the top of the month, Brian Cronin over at CBR's Comics Should Be Good column shared an article by Jesse Hamm that discussed eight things he would like to see more of in comics. The article raises some interesting issues and proved though provoking in terms of putting together a story. I'll share a teaser here...
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8 THINGS I’D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF IN COMICS
by Jesse Hamm
Comics should indeed be good. As a comics reader, I couldn’t agree more. But as a critic, when I call for better comics, I’m often tempted to prescribe solutions that are lofty and vague.
“Write believable characters!” comes to mind.
“Draw credible backgrounds!”
“Master anatomy!”
“Be clear!”
All noble goals; all lousy advice. Lousy because it substitutes destinations for directions. Might as well direct someone to the Fortress of Solitude by telling her to go to Superman’s hideout. The shortest route to better comics is, instead, concrete advice that any creator can put to use right now.
That said, here are 8 things I’d like to see more of in comics. These are suggestions that I think any creator can try out immediately; adjustments that don’t require new skills to implement. They aren’t all about quality; some are just intended to foster variety. But in every case I think they would add extra oomph to today’s comics — both alternative and mainstream.
by Jesse Hamm
Comics should indeed be good. As a comics reader, I couldn’t agree more. But as a critic, when I call for better comics, I’m often tempted to prescribe solutions that are lofty and vague.
“Write believable characters!” comes to mind.
“Draw credible backgrounds!”
“Master anatomy!”
“Be clear!”
All noble goals; all lousy advice. Lousy because it substitutes destinations for directions. Might as well direct someone to the Fortress of Solitude by telling her to go to Superman’s hideout. The shortest route to better comics is, instead, concrete advice that any creator can put to use right now.
That said, here are 8 things I’d like to see more of in comics. These are suggestions that I think any creator can try out immediately; adjustments that don’t require new skills to implement. They aren’t all about quality; some are just intended to foster variety. But in every case I think they would add extra oomph to today’s comics — both alternative and mainstream.
Check out the full article with all eight things here.