Seaguy makes sense the second time around.
first time I read this series, I read the first issue and found it totally incomprehensible. I left the second and third issues alone until the LCS clerk promised to trade it back in if I didn't like them. Well, I didn't reread the first issue, I didn't find much coherency in the plot, but there was such an utterly insane plot point in the third issue it completely redeemed the whole series. It was just plain fun, even if it didn't make sense.
So, anyway, today, remembering a promise I made a long time ago to Johnny Triangles but didn't have time to keep, I broke out the back issues and reread Seaguy #1.
And it made sense.
I found myself automatically able to incorporate the Morrison additives -- the weird throwaway ideas he adds that I love so much -- into the story as natural background (like references to Coca Cola or World War II, they're just colorful details of Seaguy's world, or unknown backstory like a reference to Emerald Twilight in the first issue you've ever read of Green Lantern) to see a clear plot.
Maybe now that I've read The Invisibles, Animal Man, and some of Doom Patrol I'm able to process comic books differently.
Scary.
R,
ReplyDeleteNothing to do with your post, but I wanted to drop by and thank you for posting on my blog, and mention that as a Wiccan, you really should check out the new S.M. Stirling trilogy, only two books of which are actually out, Dies The Fire and The Protector's War.
The books are set in a near future in which all electronic technology and explosive based weaponry has ceased to function. Most of humanity dies in the immediate aftermath; one of the survivor societies is based around a small group of Wiccans and medieval re-enactors, who form a core for a massive pagan revival in 'the new world'.
The books are kind-of prequels to Stirling's excellent Islander series (in which modern Nantucket is thrown back to 50,000 B.C.) and I think Stirling has written better stuff... but his amazing attention to detail in terms of Wiccan ceremony and the new pagan society is definitely something you should check out.
I had a similar experience with GM's Doom Patrol run, which I recently revisited after enjoying Vimanarama, All-Star Superman #1, and what he's doing in Seven Soldiers.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, some of the stuff GM did in the early issues of his New X-Men run drove me to distraction, but by the middle of the run I thought he was producing brilliant work.
You're right: it's not in the reading; it's in the processiong.
Highlander -- Sounds interesting I'll put it on my "check this out" list.
ReplyDeletemelchior -- I'm glad I'm not the only one to feel those effects.
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ReplyDeleteI had the thought, that if they wanted to do a cop out, for the "ultimate sacrifice" thing, they could have whichever hero die and be brought back to life/rescuscitated (pardon my atrocious spelling. I never could manage that word)...perhaps by Kyle if he does end up doing whatever it is that results in him being Ion.
ReplyDeleteI mean, it'd be cheap. But if it came down to say losing Guy or being cheap and doing green-lit CPR, I'll go with cheap.
As I said before, I'm *really* good at denial.
Hmm... Kyle saves Guy with CPR...
ReplyDelete-=-=-=-
"He's breathing, thank god! Guy?"
"Wha-?"
"Guy, you're alright now. We almost lost you. I had to do..."
Kyle trails off, and he looks at Guy, realization dawning in both their eyes.
"EWWW!" They shout in unison.
Simultaneously, the two veteran Lanterns turn their heads to different sides and commence spitting.