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Showing posts with label Literature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Literature. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

The Art & Narrative of Elektra Assassin Sienkiewicz & Miller


Imagine it’s something like this; a politically visionary, mysteriously engaging action adventure that is satirically humorous while disguising itself as a romantic spy thriller. This refreshingly funny take on contemporary world events is peppered with, while including demonic possession, psycho- babble and even robotics. Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz gave this jewel of a novel to the world in the nineteen eighties. It was originally released in monthly installments   by Marvel Comics and sold in specialty shops. That was the way I initially read this graphic novel. It was brilliantly conceived and constructed at the time. It not only holds up in our contemporary political climate (the age of Trump) it soars and is on many levels definitive in tone along with being surprisingly prophetic.








































Elektra was a character Frank Miller created as foil to Matt Murdock’s Dare Devil. Elektra was an extrodinarally gifted while flawed character. She was an immediate fan favorite and she was killed almost as quickly as she was introduced. Elektra was too good to remain in oblivion and the novel “Elektra Assassin” was a wonderful way to revisit the character while adding to the mythology in this work that is a prequel to the original Miller thriller. 
























 THE SOVIET PREMIER HAS BEEN SIGHTED AT THE WEST WING...VOTED FOR THAT SON OF A BITCH...LIED TO US...CANT BELIEVE HE'D LET THIS HAPPEN...



I most recently reread “Elektra Assassin” in a compilation edition and it was exceptionally good. In ways even better than I remembered from my eighties encounter with the book.   At this point I couldn’t recommend it any higher. “Elektra  Assassin” is literature at it most heightened. The creators are in-league with Ian Fleming, Dashiell Hammett and Stieg Larsson. They are masters of their chosen form. Miller’s words and Sienkiewicz’s pictures make for an illuminating and grand experience. In another way of phrasing; they are ranking among the very best! 




Miller and Sienkiewicz followed up their achievement; “Electra Assassin” with another tale from the Dare Devil Mythos; “Love & War” which is centered on the chance that the heartless “King Pin” (Wilson Fisk) might actually be capable of loving something outside of his own narcissistic self-love. Could this, again be a prophetic treatise on the inner life of a ruthless businessman politician, someone at the present time, some unnamed public figure?”  But within the mean time take a look at “Electra Assassin.” It just might become a thing treasured in your own right, as you may as yet find to peruse and imagine.

    




















"I don't need evidence," said the President. "I'm the President. I know what I'm talking about," he said. "I got elected didn't I?"






A local man claims to have seen the woman strike down two police officers with her bare hands, before being subdued. Local authorities refuse to draw any connection between this incident and the recent assassination which took pace in San Concepcion.



Saturday, April 8, 2017

...speaking of Neil Gaiman


Writer’s writer Neil Gaiman is among the most versatile and prolific in today’s world of social media, constant and “fake news” along with and among other such antics. Some would argue that books and the print medium are dying (if not already dead) but; Mr. Gaiman continues in the best tradition of  author, scribe, story-teller and historian in the most ancient,  beautiful and personal of forms; books. He is most recognized as creator of fantasy but his readership crosses over into main stream literature in almost every possible format. Gaiman creates original titles for novels, picture books and adolescent books along with screen plays, graphic novels and essays. If I’ve left anything out Neil; I apologize. His seminal piece; Sandman, initially written for DC Comics’ Vertigo line of adult fiction cemented his work as epic in form. Sandman consists in multiple books spanning possibly three generations of readers. 


Gaiman’s most recent publication is his retelling of the ancient tales of the Vikings. His “Norse Mythology” featuring Thor-the Mighty, Oden-The All Wise All Father, Loki-The  Shrewd, Heimdall-The Watcher,  Sif-The Lovely and a host of frost giants, dark elves and monsters. Gaiman is at his best and most comfortable with his telling’s of these most ancient of religious legends. Herein he is funny, engaging and full of remarkably unexpected twists. 


There is no one that could possibly speak more eloquently for Neil Gaiman than himself. Following are many of his quotes, insights and comments on his chosen art form. The remaining graphics (largely produced by his foremost collaborator artist Dave McKean) consist of images from his book covers, illustrations, film stills and most importantly the master story man’s own words.