Comments on: Morrison is at it again with Batman and Robin http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/ The News Blog of Comics Culture Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:11:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Glenn Simpson http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3307225 Sat, 30 May 2009 18:18:54 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3307225 Ok, now I'm confused. I usually fall squarely into the definition of the "babymen" but I hate Grant Morrison. Ok, now I’m confused. I usually fall squarely into the definition of the “babymen” but I hate Grant Morrison.

]]> by: gene phillips http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3301687 Fri, 29 May 2009 13:56:06 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3301687 Nate, it's always great to see people celebrate originality and maturity by calling their opponents "babymen." Thanks for that special and unique, never-to-be-repeated experience. Mark: Well, someone must have bought the first 3 on your list or they wouldn't have survived to be collected into tpb's. Are there enough "academics" buying comics to make those numbers? Nate, it’s always great to see people celebrate originality and maturity by calling their opponents “babymen.” Thanks for that special and unique, never-to-be-repeated experience.

Mark: Well, someone must have bought the first 3 on your list or they wouldn’t have survived to be collected into tpb’s. Are there enough “academics” buying comics to make those numbers?

]]> by: Mark Coale http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3299248 Fri, 29 May 2009 01:30:53 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3299248 I doubt "baby men" would have much use for Animal Man or Doom Patrol or the Invisibles or Sebestian O. Academics do, though. I doubt “baby men” would have much use for Animal Man or Doom Patrol or the Invisibles or Sebestian O. Academics do, though.

]]> by: Rich Johnston http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298980 Fri, 29 May 2009 00:26:21 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298980 Nate Horn: does The Matrix count? Nate Horn: does The Matrix count?

]]> by: Almightygosh http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298758 Thu, 28 May 2009 23:28:12 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298758 @Nate Thank goodness its a comic book, a work of sensational fiction meant for an audience who enjoys the odd, amazing and absurd, or else that would be a bad thing. Also, his head *is* in proportion... @Nate Thank goodness its a comic book, a work of sensational fiction meant for an audience who enjoys the odd, amazing and absurd, or else that would be a bad thing.

Also, his head *is* in proportion…

]]> by: Nate http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298660 Thu, 28 May 2009 23:09:11 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298660 When did they start drawing Robin's head as round as a basketball? No one really has a head like that, unless they are 400lbs! When did they start drawing Robin’s head as round as a basketball? No one really has a head like that, unless they are 400lbs!

]]> by: Joe S. Walker http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298449 Thu, 28 May 2009 22:33:33 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298449 I've always thought Morrison was a narcissistic pseud. Nothing quoted or linked here has changed my mind. I’ve always thought Morrison was a narcissistic pseud. Nothing quoted or linked here has changed my mind.

]]> by: Lisa at Neptune http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298447 Thu, 28 May 2009 22:32:40 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3298447 Let's not assume this will be a monthly. Neither creator has a good recent history of getting their work out that quickly. It will be a good story, but it won't be out every 4 weeks. Let’s not assume this will be a monthly. Neither creator has a good recent history of getting their work out that quickly. It will be a good story, but it won’t be out every 4 weeks.

]]> by: Synsidar http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297778 Thu, 28 May 2009 20:32:42 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297778 And here's a spirited <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/13283441/Disinformation-Convention-Grant-Morrison-Interview" rel="nofollow">interview </a>of Morrison. SRS And here’s a spirited interview of Morrison.

SRS

]]> by: Synsidar http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297721 Thu, 28 May 2009 20:18:35 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297721 Here's a sample of in-depth <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=Qey0TqB3hDgC&pg=PA262&lpg=PA262&dq=%22Douglas+Wolk%22+%22Grant+Morrison%22+essay&source=bl&ots=BNQ4HXmcqz&sig=5pq4EbjZnsQr8XhF9BX5agPmqxs&hl=en&ei=Pe8eSvmbC9mElAeAl4DRBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#PPA260,M1" rel="nofollow">commentary </a>on Grant Morrison, from Douglas Wolk, and here's Grant Morrison on <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/24506/Pop-Magic-by-Grant-Morrison" rel="nofollow">magic</a>. SRS Here’s a sample of in-depth commentary on Grant Morrison, from Douglas Wolk, and here’s Grant Morrison on magic.

SRS

]]> by: red http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297679 Thu, 28 May 2009 19:57:13 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297679 @Nate: That's the more mature version? I don't care how sales of anything work out. I don't care whether Morrison will ever appeal to anyone else besides me. I don't care if the books/movies/plays/painting/games/music/whatever, that appeal to me, appeal to anyone else. I don't define myself through other people's approval for the things that I enjoy. I don't care. Stop being so precious. Grow up. @Nate: That’s the more mature version? I don’t care how sales of anything work out. I don’t care whether Morrison will ever appeal to anyone else besides me. I don’t care if the books/movies/plays/painting/games/music/whatever, that appeal to me, appeal to anyone else. I don’t define myself through other people’s approval for the things that I enjoy. I don’t care. Stop being so precious. Grow up.

]]> by: Nate Horn http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297459 Thu, 28 May 2009 18:38:48 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297459 @red: I'm sorry, that was immature. Here's the more mature version - let me know how those average monthly sales of 80,000 will work out. Let me know if anyone gives a flying f--- about what the comics version of Batman is up to or what his new secret identity is. And let me know if Morrison ever appeals to 1/1000th of the audience either Gaiman or Bay appeal to. In short, let me know if any work Morrison ever does has any cultural or literary significance ever outside of the tiny, dying pool of babymen he keeps selling himself as a writing god to. @red: I’m sorry, that was immature. Here’s the more mature version - let me know how those average monthly sales of 80,000 will work out. Let me know if anyone gives a flying f— about what the comics version of Batman is up to or what his new secret identity is. And let me know if Morrison ever appeals to 1/1000th of the audience either Gaiman or Bay appeal to. In short, let me know if any work Morrison ever does has any cultural or literary significance ever outside of the tiny, dying pool of babymen he keeps selling himself as a writing god to.

]]> by: Nate Horn http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297438 Thu, 28 May 2009 18:31:57 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297438 @gene: Only for babymen. @red: Bite me. @gene: Only for babymen.

@red: Bite me.

]]> by: red http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297217 Thu, 28 May 2009 17:22:08 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3297217 @ Nate: Stop thinking. It apparently isn't working out for you. @ Nate: Stop thinking. It apparently isn’t working out for you.

]]> by: matthew http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3296986 Thu, 28 May 2009 16:17:55 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3296986 I don't want this to devolve into a "He's great!" "No he's not!" debate, but let me put a few thoughts out in Morrison's favour. He specifically talks about Crank, and I'm not sure if you've seen it but it's as close to a comic as an action movie can get --it's ALL CAPS action, and it's fun as hell. It doesn't aspire to any of the flat "emotion" that gets tacked on to most movies (and comics). Morrison's described his style as going from A-to-D. I personally find it exhilarating, through style alone. It requires the reader to pay close attention to details while also shrugging off any parts where we lose track --the story is simply moving too fast to catch up! At least, that's the impression you get. It also gives the reader an imaginary backstory where you literally have to fill in the blanks (parts B and C). Michael Bay is the opposite. Everything is spelled out in painful, brutal detail. His characters are underdeveloped and the action, while frantic, is often impossible to follow because it's so artlessly done. I like Neil Gaiman, but I'd argue that action and kinetic storytelling are not his strengths --they're nowhere to be found, in fact. And I'd debate your comment that Morrison lacks skill. Did you seriously find All Star Superman or WE3 poorly executed? I don’t want this to devolve into a “He’s great!” “No he’s not!” debate, but let me put a few thoughts out in Morrison’s favour.

He specifically talks about Crank, and I’m not sure if you’ve seen it but it’s as close to a comic as an action movie can get –it’s ALL CAPS action, and it’s fun as hell. It doesn’t aspire to any of the flat “emotion” that gets tacked on to most movies (and comics).

Morrison’s described his style as going from A-to-D. I personally find it exhilarating, through style alone. It requires the reader to pay close attention to details while also shrugging off any parts where we lose track –the story is simply moving too fast to catch up! At least, that’s the impression you get. It also gives the reader an imaginary backstory where you literally have to fill in the blanks (parts B and C).

Michael Bay is the opposite. Everything is spelled out in painful, brutal detail. His characters are underdeveloped and the action, while frantic, is often impossible to follow because it’s so artlessly done.

I like Neil Gaiman, but I’d argue that action and kinetic storytelling are not his strengths –they’re nowhere to be found, in fact. And I’d debate your comment that Morrison lacks skill. Did you seriously find All Star Superman or WE3 poorly executed?

]]> by: gene phillips http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3296716 Thu, 28 May 2009 14:23:33 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3296716 Man-Bat Ninjas aren't "fun, guilty stuff?" Man-Bat Ninjas aren’t “fun, guilty stuff?”

]]> by: Nate Horn http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3296668 Thu, 28 May 2009 14:03:03 +0000 http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2009/05/28/morrison-is-at-it-again-with-batman-and-robin/#comment-3296668 I've always thought of Grant Morrison as sort of the anti-Neil Gaiman - all big, bold ideas without any of the skill to execute them. (It's my opinion Gaiman basically uses the same ideas over and over but executes them with perfect skill.) Reading that quote above, it just makes me wonder what Morrison is thinking. Without the quieter moments and some sort of nod to backstory, all you end up with is a bunch of meaningless scenes stringed together. It's sort of like when someone acts as if every task is the #1 most important task to work on - what results is nothing is important because nothing stands out as special from anything else. I just do not understand the man's appeal. He's Michael Bay without any of the fun, guilty stuff. I’ve always thought of Grant Morrison as sort of the anti-Neil Gaiman - all big, bold ideas without any of the skill to execute them. (It’s my opinion Gaiman basically uses the same ideas over and over but executes them with perfect skill.) Reading that quote above, it just makes me wonder what Morrison is thinking. Without the quieter moments and some sort of nod to backstory, all you end up with is a bunch of meaningless scenes stringed together. It’s sort of like when someone acts as if every task is the #1 most important task to work on - what results is nothing is important because nothing stands out as special from anything else.

I just do not understand the man’s appeal. He’s Michael Bay without any of the fun, guilty stuff.

]]>