John at Commonplacebook has been entertaining me for months with his reflections on literature, politics, and society. I particularly recommend "And we're all teachers" and "Pardon me, sir" (on his English department's willing transformation into a vocational-ed program) and "An end to evil" (on the "prudential conservatism" of his generation of valedictorian sociopaths), as well as thoughtful pieces on Morrison's New X-Men and the cult of Saul Bellow from a few weeks back.
But it's the former three that most captivate and disturb me. John is wrapping up his Bachelor's degree, and I'd find his disenchantment with his English major and his peers ("A laughably graver spectacle of banality I couldn't possibly imagine") more disappointing if it wasn't all so damned true. That's what captivates; what disturbs is his voice and the rigor of his thought, both impossibly mature for someone who must be all of twenty-two. When I was his age my online production was limited to writing bad fiction and getting into bitter arguments about the Legion of Super-Heroes. His comments are well worth your attention, and damn him to hell.
Dave Fiore on the interminable non-debate over superheroes, comics creators, and work-for-hire: "Yes friends, we can only wonder what marvels might have emerged from Renaissance Italy, if work-for-hire had not held the art world of that time in its nefarious thrall--instead we are left with trashy 'fanfic' efforts like the Sistine Chapel. What a pity."
Johanna Draper Carlson of Comics Worth Reading has added a new weblog to her site. It's recommended, particularly for the "Chick Check" that surveys Marvel's comics for female creators and characters.
Finally, while we're on the subject of weblogs, expect a major announcement sometime within the next few weeks, or even days...
oooo...The suspense is killing me.
Posted by: Shane | April 24, 2004 at 04:53 PM
I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, then.
Still, keep reading!
Posted by: Marc | April 25, 2004 at 11:24 PM