PopMatters Post: Review of ORBITER (and Happy 40th Anniversary Apollo 11!)

Posted by TERESA

How very appropriate that my review of Warren Ellis’ graphic novel, Orbiter, has been posted just in time for the 40th Anniversary of the moon landing!

Excerpt:

Ellis’ Introduction to the hardcover edition of Orbiter begins with him describing being bitten by the space bug as a child. It was then that he watched human beings walk on the moon for the first time. Those memories, as well as the Columbia disaster put the completion of Orbiter into sharp focus. Ellis writes, “[Orbiter is] a book about glory. About going back to space, because it’s waiting for us, and it’s where we’re meant to be.” From the inspiring introduction to the inspiring story itself, Orbiter is perhaps a perfect comic for this post-Obama moment in history. In order to fulfill our destiny as a species, it is not enough to merely exist. We must obey the impulse to explore. Orbiter challenges us to remember wonder.

Visit the comics section at POP MATTERS for the full review!

Pink Raygun Post: Interview with MOLLY CRABAPPLE

Me, as drawn by Molly Crabapple at MoCCA Fest 2009

Posted by TERESA

Last week, I attended the launch party for Molly Crabapple’s first graphic novel, Scarlett Takes Manhattan.  It was a great way to launch a book (and the cupcakes were scrumptious!), and I had the opportunity to interview her for Pink Raygun.

Excerpt:

I came across Molly Crabapple’s work the way I come across so many things these days – on Twitter.  Someone posted a link to Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, an affordable life-drawing class with a Gilded Age feel for which one pays about ten dollars to sketch burlesque performers in scintillating poses, and I was immediately intrigued!  As I explored the website for this class, which is now being franchised in cities all over the world, I became more and more interested in the creative mind behind it.  Visits to her website lead to searching for her work everywhere and becoming an instant fan.  She’s illustrated for clients like Marvel Comics, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Playgirl as well as eight books, including her own.

I had the opportunity to interview Molly at the release party for her first graphic novel, Scarlett Takes Manhattan, which she created with long-time collaborator, John Leavitt.  The party, like the book itself, came complete with burlesque performances, fire-eaters, and a Two Man Gentleman Band (who wrote a theme song for the book called, appropriately enough, “When Scarlett Takes Manhattan”).   Here’s what Molly had to say about pursuing success, loving performing artists, and drawing boobs…

Get thee to PINK RAYGUN to read the interview!

My First Comics Piece at PopMatters!

Posted by TERESA

After lots of changes within the editorial staff and lots of waiting and wondering, a new editor has been selected for the comics section at PopMatters.com, and my first review has finally been posted!  Check out my take on the most recent Runaways story arc, Dead Wrong.

Excerpt:

The poor characterization in “Dead Wrong” points to a failure of the creative team. The biggest failure in a successful comic title is to deny established continuity. A creative team should not impose themselves on a title, but instead should become a part of it.  It is the difference between being an obvious tourist and getting to know the locals.

From now on, I’ll probably be contributing in a more bloggy way over at PopMatters.  The new editor seems to appreciate my informal, yet intelligent voice and thinks I’d be better served by blog entries instead of straight reviews.  I love editors who are good at feeling out the strengths of their writers!  This will be fun!  *realizes that pitches for blog entries are due today and runs to do them*