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.

A Visit With Flat Stanley

I recently received an unusual manila envelope from my granddaughter Madison Manning in the mail. It seemed she and her teacher wanted me to participate in “The Flat Stanley Project.” From the very outset I saw this as an opportunity to assist and encourage “Maddie.” I jumped on it almost immediately. I solicited the help of my co-workers and friends (who were more than happy to assist) and we were off and running. 

You may have already been exposed to Flat Stanley. He was created by children’s author Jeff brown in the 1960’s. The otherwise normal Stanley Lambchop survived being; well, flattened by a steamroller and going on to numerous adventures. In his diminished form Stanley was able to slide under doors, hide almost anywhere and travel around the world in envelopes. This led Canadian school teacher;   Dale Hubert to envision “The Flat Stanley Project.” His intention was to foster an interest in letter writing early on for young kids. 

It has become a local and international phenomenon. Envelopes like the one I received are sent with a Stanley cutout created by the individual child and mailed with an explanatory letter. The letter includes the telling of the brief story of who Stanley is and requests that the receiver takes pictures of their time and adventures with the character. Along with the pictures, postcards and other small items a descriptive letter and the Stanley cutout are requested in return from the recipient. 

All in all; with a little help from my friends, our time with “The Flat Stanley Project” went better than well; great in fact! It was an interesting, fun and a broadening experience for those who shared.  We’ll cherish it and I’m certain my little “Maddie” did too!       

                                

Hello to you Maddie; Mrs. Ellis, the rest of your first grade class and Maddie’s Many Friends!!!

Flat Stanley (or Flat Stan as I like to call him) arrived last Thursday evening by mail in an envelope. Let me tell you he was glad to get out and stretch a little. We became immediate friends and he was ready for a ton of all new adventures. We started with a trip the next morning to Moog Components Group to show Stanly where I work and to introduce him to some of my co-workers and friends. They were as thrilled to meet Stanly as he was to meet them. We had a lot of fun! I work as an electrical test technician. We make components for airplanes, satellites, CAT scan machines, drones and a lot more. Stan seemed to be impressed.

I work as an artist too. I create paintings, sculptures and photographs. Flat Stan said he always felt like he was a work of art and wanted me to draw his portrait. I told him I would be happy to!   I’m including the finished drawing in the package. How do you guys like it? Stan asked if he could pose with some of my other art work. I thought that was a good idea and let him sit with some of the paintings and sculptures I’ve made.  Can you find him in the photo?

Maddie; he likes to do the things that you like! He climbed trees, picked flowers and sat on the front porch with the flag. He really enjoyed playing in the toy box with all the toys too. Your favorites became his favorites! We talked about a lot of things including the Presidential election. I think he is leaning towards Hillary Clinton.     

After a few days and nights Stan told me he was ready to get back to Maryland. Here he is; hopefully safe and sound. Let me know how he is doing. Tell him I miss him already! He’s a Great Guy!

Take Care Everyone!!!

Daddy  James   

Maddie’s Daddy James

  

      

 More Flat Stanley Pictures

             

       Good-Bye for Now Flat Stanley!!!

John Biggers: A Personal Favorite

When I think of great art and artists there are many “sung” names that come to my mind. Rembrandt, Picasso, O’Keefe among many, many others. All of these creators are world renowned and recognized almost universally. An artist that is not as readily known (in many ways unsung) is but surely as qualified, accomplished and special in my heart and mind; John Biggers.  

Even though Biggers is largely excluded from “The Canon” of art he is far from without noted achievements. He studied first with artist and educator Viktor Lowenfeld who helped enrich his knowledge of African and African-American art. He would go on to study with luminary artists Charles White and Elizabeth Catlett both of African-American decent. Mexican muralist Diego Rivera and his fellow the ubiquitous; Orozco would also fortunately be among his teachers and inspirations. 

Early on Biggers was included in an important exhibition at MoMA; “Young Negro Art” that was a huge boost to his career; but it was a UNESCO fellowship that would be in his own words “a positive shock…the most significant of my life's experiences." This fellowship allowed Biggers and his wife to travel to several African nations including Ghana and Nigeria. He would go on to speak about his journey to and around the African continent in this way…

"We spent most of our time in the country. People call it “Bush,” you know, that’s a name sort of like the hunter. I don’t care for that name for the country people because country people have a great traditional culture. And these cultures are all over the continent. They are beautiful. They have endured."                           

Educator John Biggers taught at Texas Southern University where he also painted murals and inspired generations of his students and patrons.  Biggers toiled, bled, sweat and wept (to paraphrase Churchill) for his art and people. His art was dedicated to the world of the African Diaspora in content and spirit. His works (paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints) that early on were much entrenched in social commentaries were later to become in content and spirit allegorical, mystical even surreal. In his late years Biggers’ creations were much more design like and geometric in look.       

In life John Biggers achieved his artistic and cultural goals and in the process the world was enriched. His works as those of every true great are their own most eloquent commentary. A portfolio of his hands mastery for your viewing and enjoyment follows: