Wednesday 30 July 2014

The Babe of Thunder!

The Babe of Thunder!

The heavy hand of co-incidence reaches out for the 2nd time in this ongoing project, as the internet is currently ablaze with reactions to the notion that Thor The God Of Thunder could be female!

And what better way to address this than to present my attempt at recreating a page by one of best known creators ever to make Thor Comics, none other than Walt Simonson!

It just so happens that this is the next page in She-Hulk!



Simonson is clearly directly parodying his own approach to Thor, tons of expository dialogue and a energy filled drawing all saying EPIC in great big capital letters, this page literally crackles at you!

And Simonson himself says in the dialogue that the idea of a of female Thor is above the same level as all the existing pantheon of Asgardians and the most powerful of all!

And why not? In this context the notion of “a god” is purely a concept, myth that is ages old that can and has been shaped many different ways not just in the comics or in the movies but in the real word, be it Nordic culture or the culture of the rest of the word

In this context in which an artist is making a depiction that art its is passing the concept though a filter of his or her own experiences and beliefs 

There is nothing to say in this context as a comic that any one perception or depiction of these beliefs are any more “right” than another

There could and should be a Thor for everyone, that is a true myth - so in this context Thor is literally defined by not only the person relating the mythical story but also the reader reading it

Why not take this chance to celebrate some diversity and variety in what in some cases can be a bit of a limited world view

What really matters is that you have a passion for Thor and you see him or her as one of sources of inspiration 

To narrow down and really put an epic myth like Thor in just one pigeon box, while I can understand this to some degree, it is really a bit limiting

So I am saying why not judge on the basis of having read the comics and having understood the context in which the female Thor is going to happen - if you don’t like it then fine, but don’t just reject the concept without collecting together some evidence

Having said all that, Simonson then goes on to make a direct reference to Madonnas clothing, most famously the “cone bra” 




If anything this is actually a good comparison, do you honestly think your impression of Madonna really dictates anything she does?!

No you take her as she is your either like her or do not and either point of view is equally valid

Having pushed out the boat somewhat, NEXT WEEK will feature the return of Super Spidey-Man!

She-hulk will continue in two weeks time!

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Constrained…

Is what She-Hulk is in this next recreated page:-



As She-Hulk rejects Wendy and Richard Pini’s very Elf inspired take on her comic because of the consistent shape of the word Balloons…?

Of course we have to remember this is the “artists recreation” of the real events, so she-hulk’s responses are “constrained” by John Byrne himself

What is happening here is that John Byrne is making a reference back to something he has vocalised himself personally about Elfquest in the past, a joke that Wendy and Richard would get!

In fact most of She-Hulks reasons for rejection are actually a nod and a wink or jibe back to the artists who’s work she has just read

She-Hulk as written by John Byrne is well known for breaking the forth wall, but this issue goes a lot further and lot more meta than any other issue, as

I hope is established Reene has told She-Hulk that John Byrne is dead,as that is why she is having to consider other artists for her comic - but this premise is well beyond any suspension of disbelief as there are many pages, like this one that have been clearly written and drawn by John Byrne

In fact it goes even further than that as she-hulk has previously been seen addressing John Directly and aware he is drawing the comic, so she could easily step out of the page and show Reene that John couldn’t be dead…

But that does not happen in this issue…!

Anyway, She-hulk asks the next would be artist to bring something thats big, bold and cosmic…

NEXT WEEK:- Its a female version of Thor The God Of Thunder - No I am not kidding!

Wednesday 16 July 2014

I Just Keep Hearing Things!

I Just Keep Hearing Things!

Is what She-Hulk Says at the end of this next completed page:-



Which starts off with a disagreement between Richard and Wendy Pini around sound FX…

And continues with she-hulk wondering how her knife is attached and concluding with the revelation that she-hulk herself must be an elf as her ears are decidedly pointed…

So what will She-hulk say about this latest effort to bring her comic back to life, find out…

Next Week!

Wednesday 9 July 2014

A Hard Boiled Perspective

Is what She-Hulk has in these next 2 recreated pages:-



Firstly She-Hulk’s response to having her comic turn into “sin city” is that the pages was “too Hard Boiled” - Hard Boiled also being the name of another comic Frank Miller was working on with Geoff Darrow…

Then She-Hulk says that most of the Male artists and writers have the “subtlety and fashion sense of a Fredrick’s of Hollywood catalog”…

The very panel that features that line of dialogue is a drawing of She-hulk in a very obvious pose, straight from the catalog itself! Yes this is because it is John Byrne who used the catalog for reference when drawing She-hulk and her clothing!

Renee’s reply is to show her some pages made by a “top female artist…”:-


Which is none other than Wendy Pini - who at this time was best known for a very long run on the comic “Elfquest” a kind of “lord of the rings” for younger readers

Elfquest being the direct source of parody on this page

Firstly, it could be said in the first panel drawing there is a a play on the expression “this is the straw that broke the camels back” - an expression used when something is deemed to be the last in a line of unacceptable occurrences.

In this case it's a wolf which She-Hulk is apparently riding, as The Wolfriders are the main company of Elfquest

Next She-Hulk breaks the forth wall and checks if Wendy Pini gave her 4 fingers to make a fist… All the characters in Elfquest have 3 fingers, and Smeg himself as drawn on this page only has 3 fingers

Finally the last panel is another 4th wall breakout as Wendy Pini explains how she drew it- by looking in the mirror!

NEXT WEEK:- More Elfquest as She-Hulks ears are burning…!

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Super Spidey-Man! Issue 7

At long last it is the next issue of a comic featuring The Sandman...



NEXT WEEK:- It's She-Hulk if you know what's good for your Elf...