Daredevil: Born Again

Grade: E
Title: Daredevil: Born Again
Author: Frank Miller
Artist: David Mazzucchelli




This is my second Daredevil comic to look at, and I loved it so much more than the first one! It made me remember why I thought Daredevil was such a compelling character (please, don't think of the awful Ben Afleck Daredevil - in the comic he doesn't even have the same look, thankfully). The plot is simple: Kingpin (the nemesis of Daredevil) discovers Daredevil's secret identity and works to take everything away from Matt Murdock (who is, of course, the owner of the alter-ego Daredevil) from his job to his home to his friends.

Let's start with the bad stuff (even if it is a little out of order). Born Again ends with a real campy, kitchy villain, which leads to the involvement of Captain America (among others). This ending just falls short from the rest of the volume, which is beautifully done. I am not sure why they ended it like they did - why they had to pull in these random people, who didn't have any involvement with the rest of the story (I mean, it would be like if the writers at Penguin felt the need to draw in random people from other stories - taking liberally from both good books and bad ones...really not an advisable idea).

The rest of Born Again is really quite brilliant. Obviously, from the title and the cover, Miller was drawing from a distinctly religious theme. This thread runs throughout the comic and really achieves a lyrical and moving storyline. Apart from being lyrical, Born Again presents some of the most harrowing moments that one could ever encounter. Matt's life literally falls apart in one day as he loses everything, even faith in his closest friend Foggy. However, for me, for obvious reasons, the Christian elements are the most intriguing.

This image, from just after Matt had stooped to his lowest point, beautifully invokes the classic motif of the pieta (sorry, I couldn't quite figure out how to put the proper accent over the "a"). This is a symbol that I find quite evocative, so I am going to take the opportunity to share some of the most sublime pietas from art. mwhahahahaha!

Here is the haunting painting by Bouguereau of the Pieta or "the Sixth Sorrow: Mary Receives Jesus' Body into Her Arms." Just observe the intense look on Mary's face! In fact, this painting is what inspired Mel Gibson (please excuse all of his many indiscretions and don't judge his past work for his present deeds - or should we?) to look for a similar looking Mary in Passion. I find the white body of Jesus particularly striking against Mary's black robes.

Here is probably the most famous Pieta, and famous for a good reason, sculpted by the ever astonishing Michelangelo. I remember the first time I saw a picture of this statue I was a freshman in high school. We had to analyze it for my history class and as a group we particularly noticed how much larger Mary's body was compared to Jesus' waif-like corpse. The emotion conveyed by the way the figures are arranged is especially poignant.

Another image from Born Again that is evocative of religious symbolism is this touching picture of Matt and his mother (she is the nun clutching his hand, in case you were curious). I love how Mazzucchelli uses the negative space to create the illusion of a cross, especially with the tiny crucifix at the center, reminiscent of the sign nailed above Jesus' head when he was murdered.

Oh yes, I found a way to fit in one of my favorite paintings of Jesus, this one done by Velazquez (yes, I didn't get to put the accent over his a either...oops). Isn't it exquisite - try to get a close up of his face - I find myself always drawing this eloquent depiction of Jesus' sacrifice everywhere (right now it is scrawled across our bright blue kitchen wall in chalk). Just take a few moments to ponder this painting . . . doesn't your soul feel better now!

Ultimately, Born Again is a comic definitely worth the read. In fact, despite its somewhat weak disappointing end, I would say you should buy it right now. Cave under the pressure: http://http//www.amazon.com/Daredevil-Born-Again-Frank-Miller/dp/0785134808. The way this comic inspires you to think, to look at your life, to evaluate makes the read especially worthwhile. Until next time; go enjoy some art!

Harold and Maude

Grade: G+
Title: Harold and Maude (1971)
Director: Hal Ashby
Notable Actors: Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort



Harold and Maude was actually first recommended to me by a good friend of mine. He loved it, but his wife told me not to bother. I decided to give it a try, and I am glad I did. It is a very strange movie, but kind of refreshing in its oddity. I quite liked the characterization of the two leads, especially Maude. Ruth Gordon did an excellent job with her character, who is an erratic old lady who steals cars and demands to live in the moment. She changes the life of the morbid Harold when they meet at a funeral.

Now, this isn't strictly about this movie, but look at these pictures! Ruth Gordon was truly beautiful when younger, and she certainly aged well, which you can see in the film. I found these two pictures of her, and she looks so stunning and classic I had to share them. The top picture made me think of a Gatsby (see F. Scott Fitzgerald's immortal The Great Gatsby) girl, while the bottom picture made me think of Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief (a movie you really have to see - so beautiful) or Greta Garbo in Camille, one of her best roles.

OK, now back to the movie at hand. I have already mentioned that it is a strange film, but just because something is strange does not mean it is bad (just think of Van Gogh. It is decidedly strange to cut off your own ear in order to study it better, but I'm sure anyone in the world could find at least one of his paintings beautiful). In this movie, the strangeness works most of the time. Harold has a penchant for pretending to kill himself, which can be quite funny, especially the scene with an actress his mother has set him up with who jumps right into character playing opposite the dead man. However, it can also be humourless and gets a little redundant after a while.

Nevertheless, the story, pulled so tautly between life and death, is an intriguing one. Indeed, a quick fun fact about Harold and Maude: the screenwriter Colin Higgins took this story from the thesis he wrote in order to complete his schooling at UCLA. This is particularly encouraging to me as I am entrenched within my own thesis writing process. Actually, I am entrenched in thesis proposal writing process (which I hope to defend in less than two weeks). See, theses are good for something after having been written.

This movie is a fun sort of romp through the early seventies. It is interesting to see how the culture of that day influenced this film, from the clothing to the ideology. In fact, a song that provides a common thread throughout the movie is Cat Stevens' "If You Want to Sing Out" (which you can go here: http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha3Rm4MSX-g to hear if you aren't familiar with this song).

The movie moves from a bildungsroman (coming of age tale) about Harold to Maude's emphasis on when she is going to pass, she repeatedly says that eighty is the best age to die. Harold has now fallen in love with the fifty-years-his-senior woman, and they share an almost poetic but, of course, disturbing kiss. Apart from the awkward age difference between Harold and Maude the kiss does point to the beautiful cyclic nature of life, which is particularly fitting in light of how the film ends.

Harold and Maude is a strange film and probably isn't for everyone (which is why it has won the "cult" label), but I think it is worth at least a renting. Also, I have some exciting news that I can't help but share it: I am going to a comic book club on Thursday night! Jealous? You should be. I'll let you know how it goes on Friday. Until next time; go enjoy some art!

X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga

Grade: G+
Title: X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga
Author: Chris Claremont
Artist: John Byrne

I encountered in The Dark Phoenix Saga a problem I have seen in almost all of the X=Men stories I have read. It is painfully written at times - OK, let's be honest: most times. However, if I separate that from the story itself, I find this saga quite compelling.

Although, some of the art is quite striking (see above - how can you not love this visual of a phoenix? Of course, the phoenix is one of my favorite mythological creatures. The symbols that the bird possesses are so intriguing - the images of rebirth, healing, fire, power and wealth - and they represent so much in sooo many cultures, from the Phoenicians to the Persians to the Greeks to the Egyptians), at other times I disliked it. For example, the color is that often tacky and ill-fitting However, I have to admit that the art is also successful. The way Byrne represents action and the characters is pleasing.

Here we have a page where Jane Grey goes into her crazy, violent self and her friends are forced to fight against her. This is a question that I always find intriguing. What I enjoy about the writing of Claremont (never the actual way he phrases it, but his overall ideas can be captivating). These elements in the story are notable because they show an attractive trend that occurred in the eighties in mainstream comic writing (The Dark Phoenix Saga was published from January to October in 1980).

One of my favorite aspects of the story are the fun mind games that Mastermind (classic name, right) plays with Jane Grey. He makes her relive the life of Lady Jane Grey (quick shameless plug - check out Lady Jane, old school Cary Elwes, prePrincessBride and Helena Bonham Carter, pre-creepyness, which recounts the sad reign of Lady Jane Grey) with himself cast as her love, which really kills Scott. Good times.

I actually really like that last picture (minus the Spiderman, you know how I feel about people other than Batman - are you ready for this: Right now I am sitting in my living room with my awesome roomies watching a Batman marathon. That's right. We started with Batman from 1966, moved onto Batman from 1989, to Batman Returns from 1992, then to Batman Forever from 1995, then to Batman and Robin from 1997 (I know it really is painful to watch), then to Batman Begins from 2005 and, finally, to end beautifully with The Dark Knight (which started my interest in reading comics, so I can't help bu that love it) aren't y'all jealous!!!!). Even though the cheesy mask kills me a little bit, the pathos grips me.


One of the most beautiful aspects of this story is Jean Gray's self-sacrifice. Granted, she had committed genocide of an entire planet and wreaked awful havoc on the X-Men team, but even so when she dies the note of tragedy is not lost. The powerful moment is somewhat lessened by the unfortunately large-headed (forever emblazoned in my mind as babies because of how they look - unfair, I know) Uatu, the watcher (an idea that intrigues me - those cursed to watch the universe and never interfere, but why do they have to look so unfortunate???) commenting, rather lamely, in my opinion, "Jane Grey could have lived to become a God. But it was more important to her that she die ... a human." I am really not sure why that strikes me as so cheesy. I know I love a good line as much as the next person, but, I suppose, this one just rings false for me.

However, I still believe that The Dark Phoenix is worth a read. It is an example of some of the best story you will get from an ultra mainstream storyline. I would suggest getting it from your local library (you know how much I like those), but if you just feel compelled to buy it, you may purchase it here: http://http//www.amazon.com/X-Men-Dark-Phoenix-Chris-Claremont/dp/0785122133. Until next time; go enjoy some art!

Nosferatu, eine symphonie des Gravens

Grade: E
Title: Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Gravens (1922)
Director: F.W. Murnau
Notable Actor: Max Schreck (whose name in translation means "fear!")



Nosferatu was the first silent movie I watched and enjoyed. The music, the cinematography, the plot - all of it worked together to create a beautiful film. From the first introduction to Nosferatu (who upon seeing Hutter's wife's picture mouths "Is this your wife, what a lovely throat" you can see just that scene here: http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8IT4aAouus - classic) to his iconic rise of the coffin.




Nosferatu grips the viewer throughout. The fact that it is a silent film actually helps this movie. With only the eerie score that is played along as the sole source of sound context, the tension builds upon itself in such a way that the first time I watched it I was actually scared. Perhaps you don't think this is such a great feat (and, considering the fact that I wouldn't take a shower after watching Psycho in the 6th grade, perhaps you are right).

However, just look at that photo above. What! Tell me that you wouldn't be frightened if, after you looked in the mirror, seeing only yourself, you turned around to see him standing (or lurking is probably more accurate) behind you, it wouldn't be terrifying. In Nosferatu, you will not see a vampire who sparkles or just wants to love you or your daughter. Rather, Nosferatu is brutal and murderous.

When I first watched this film (and even upon my other viewings), my favorite scene is one where Nosferatu is sailing from his distant land to your home (yes, he is coming for you!), and slowly begins killing off the crew, one boatman at a time. This scene, or really series of scenes, is gripping because you literally know what's coming, yet you can't help but wish, hope, and maybe suspect that ONE will survive.

Of course, anyone who watches Nosferatu connects it right away to Bram Stoker's Dracula. When the movie was created, the Stoker family noticed it as well and where NOT pleased. Thus, Nosferatu barely got out of the gate and almost every copy was destroyed. Also, I have been led to believe that we may not even have a completed copy as the director desired.

Happily, Nosferatu can be found on youtube in its entirety because it is now public domain: http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcyzubFvBsA. It is an interesting look into horror before one could actually hear the proverbial girl scream. Until next time; go enjoy some art!

Sad News

Hello all,

Sadly, today I have to choose between posting an awesome review for Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Gravens or doing my translation of Caedman's Hymn for Old English. I have chosen to do the latter, which means that I will not be able to post my review until next Tuesday night. Also, I will not be posting a review on Friday because I am going to be at a conference at Purdue and will not have internet. You will have to be patient and wait a week. I hope you can make it!

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMl6hUZHBqY

This is a trailer for Nosferatu to whet your appitite. Unitl next time; go enjoy some art!

Batman: Faces

Grade: G
Title: Batman: Faces
Author AND Artist: Matt Wagner





Batman: Faces was an ... interesting read because it was based around an intruiging idea; however, the way it was executed was painfully weak for a number of reasons. To begin, the introduction typifies the book it is introducing. It made some interesting points (like his item about Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer - intruiged, aren't you! now you have to read it), but it was a bit clunky and heavy-handed.



Looking at the above image, you can see that the art can be quite weak. Part of the problem, for me, is the way it is colored. While, the other part is the awkward penciling, which causes the story to be arrested and to suffer.

On the other hand, Wagner does make nice use of the comic book medium. For example, the above page shows an interesting play with the way space in comic books seems to control time and hwo we experience them in this form. He successfully presents six separate panels at the same time while not disturbing the story. An excellent example of what the comic book form is capable of.

Yet again, he loses the power and expertise that he had gained with spreads like the above. Few things in the comic book medium annoy me more than when the words or images are not needed. There is no reason to say what is about to happen. If Batman needs to create a diversion and then does so - there is no reason to say that. that is what really bothered me in the so called "classic" X-men story God Loves, Man Kills (even though I do enjoy that title). A girl in that story thinks "I'm going to walk across the street" and then preceeds to walk across the street. Irritatingly pointless! Nothing makes me lose my patience with a comic book faster.

The most compelling aspect of this story, as I mentioned before, is the idea behind it: the way Two-Face handles the other freaks (taking this term from the self-titled circus troup in the 1932 movie Freaks). He has collected, kidnapped, and gathered a number of people with deformities in order to populate an island where they can live without suffering from oppresion by so-called "normal people." It is very interestign because while Two-Face is attempting to achieve justice, the "freaks" say things like "I was happy" and "I miss my family," showing that they were able to create "normal" lives for themselves.

Thus, it was an interesting enough idea to merit one read, but nothing to run and buy. I would reccommend that you rent it from your local library. Until next time; go enjoy some art!

Blade Runner

Grade: E
Title: Blade Runner (1982)
Director: Ridley Scott
Notable Actors: Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer



I love a good post-apocalyptic tale (let me put in a quick disclaimer: I LOATHE The Road. I know, it's post-apocalyptic, but it also had NO beauty in it. Their lives were empty, pointless and why would anyone want to watch a story like that? People need beauty and anything that forgets this becomes quite useless to me. I didn't think that it had any redeeming quality in it), and Blade Runner is no exception. I loved it from the moment it started with its breathtaking cityscape and eye-locking lighted images.

This masterpiece of dark tones, intriguing artificial life (I am specifically thinking of all the fun creatures Sebastian created), and future prophecy is loosely based on (and it really might be better to say inspired by) Philip K. Dick's book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? that obviously looks into what makes androids androids and, more importantly, humans really humans. This theme is focused on less in the movie, which is a little bit of a loss. However, the most notable issue that Blade Runner has is the fact that there have been about seven (yes SEVEN) versions shown! I watched the most recent release: The Final Cut, but I am not sure is the best one. I like to think that it is partly because it is the one I had to watch and partly because it is the director, Ridley Scott,'s real cut.

One of the best aspects of Blade Runner is the characters. The main character is Rick Deckard, a man who works as a hunter of androids when they escape and come back to earth (they work as slaves on off planet colonies).

There are four of the most recent versions of androids who escape and the movie focuses on Deckard as he hunts them down. I especially found Pris and Roy Batty a fascinating couple. She acts almost doll like and is seemingly sweet with quite a dark side because she has to protect her life (she is the one with the tool covering her behind Deckard's poised gun).

Her counterpart Roy (got to love how he is just chilling with that bird) is dedicated to keeping her alive and takes charge of who he is as an android - a hero if he hadn't been an android, or if it was told from his perspective. The way he acts when Pris dies is quite touching. He even allows Deckard, right after he killed his love, some time to get away while he takes a few moments to say goodbye to Pris. It is a very gripping scene and the one that questions the difference between artificial life and real life in the most provocative ways.

Rachel is the love interest in Blade Runner. She believes herself to be a human, only to be proved an android, which causes her to question what she is supposed to do with her life. She betrays her kind in order to save Deckard, but the ending of the film is ambiguous to whether or not Deckard and Rachel are going to live happily ever after. Throughout the film the man who has been forcing Deckard to "retire" the androids has made a point of saying that he is going to have to kill Rachel as well. The final scene has Deckard and Rachel together, but Deckard holding a little silver unicorn (see below) left behind by this guy.

The imagery of a unicorn is especially interesting in light of the film. People have been able to create artificial life, but animals have become rare, often extinct, which reflects upon this mythical creatures origins. Perhaps, the people who live in the world of Blade Runner would imagine alligators to be mythical creatures. All in all, I loved this movie. It made me think, reflect on beauty and my fellow men, and appreciate the sublimity of love. Go see it right now!!! I would recommend that you simply cut to the chase and go buy it: http://http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Runner-Final-Two-Disc-Special/dp/B000UD0ESA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1282704244&sr=8-2. Until next time; go enjoy some art!