BG Roundtable: Cherry Poppin' Comics

by Liana

We at the Bad Genious love comics. We love to read them, collect them, talk about them, write about them, dream about them….and we love to share them. So your Friendly Neighborhood Editor asked BG writers, how would you pop a comic virgin’s cherry? Yes, she can be rather vulgar. But only when it’s totally uncalled for. Keeping in mind that different audiences require different choices, would the BG come up with some good suggestions, or would they just get up to their usual shenanigans?

Dan - I always find this question tough because I’ve been reading comics on and off since I knew how and reading them regularly since I was 12. So, I've pretty much grown up with them. In talking with Liana (your FNE) last night, I realized I don't really know what I'd give an adult who isn't familiar with comics. Things like art make a big impact on my ability to enjoy a comic, but would it have the same effect on someone who has no idea what "good" comic art is?

So, my wonderful wife (FNE’s note: she is totally wonderful) asked what I'd give my soon to be 15 year old cousin, who is into drawing and fantasy and is a totally sarcastic smart ass. For him, Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson’s Transmetropolitan immediately jumped to mind. It's got that wit and sarcasm my cousin has and is a great Be Yourself/Question Authority tale with a strong overarching story. I'd even be willing to let him pour over my collection of the 11 volume series except my aunt would totally flip if she read any of it. Maybe I’ll sneak it to him soon though anyway.

Then as my eyes floated across the two bookshelves of trades and graphic novels, I realized that Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim series would be an awesome first read for just about anyone. The stories about relationships and finding your way in a post-high school world are themes everyone can relate to. The added plotline of Scott’s ridiculous lovelife, including having to fight all of his new girlfriend’s exes Street Fighter vs. Capcom-style, adds a surreal sense of fun.


It’s short one this week, so your FNE will pad with a couple of her own picks. Also, she agrees that Scott Pilgrim is an awesome choice for pretty much any audience.

If you want to get a young lady or woman into comics, you can’t go wrong with Fables. Bill Willingham’s fresh new take on what happened after “happily ever after” is filled with familiar characters living high drama (love, magic, politics and even war) in modern-day New York City. Snow White, the Big Bad Wolf, Boy Blue and more trying to bring down the evil Adversary is sure to captivate any audience.


Matt - Usually, I don't bring up the topic myself, I wait until the right circumstance comes along. For instance my friend Zack loved the movie V for Vendetta and he had no idea it was a graphic novel, and when I told him it was, he wanted to read it so I let me borrow my copy. He loved it and now has picked up a ton of Alan Moore stuff. I did this with my brother when the Spider-Man movie came out, I got him the first volume of Ultimate Spider-Man. It is easy to give out recommendations and books when they are already getting huge press and hype.

When I was in college studying Political Science I was grouped with girl named Sarah. She loved Political Science and loved learning about government and how people react to other forms of government. Then I learned that she was a sci-fi freak as well. During the course of the class we became good friends and I brought her a comic to read. I gave her Nexus: The Origin. It has a lot of sci-fi, political and social aspects and she really dug it. (If any of you love politics, superheroes and sci-fi stuff, definitely check this book out! I HIGHLY recommend it.)


FNE’s note: In a blog full of whores, Matt’s special love is for Banshee Alan Davis Nexus.


Brandon - I typically like to give people who are new to comics something like A History of Violence or Road to Perdition. I want them to read something that is more realistic and grounded rather a superhero or fantastical title.



Doug - Alex Robinson's Box Office Poison is a book that has something for everyone. Humor, romance, tragedy, everything except people in spandex (although there is male nudity if you're so inclined). The trade paperback collection is certainly not a short read, but it is a story that moves at a quick and entertaining pace, so if you have a friend who has the time to read novels (you know, those books that don't got no pictures), then they would have the time to dig into this wonderful book.


If you want to introduce someone to superheroes with something that will reverberate with their inner sense of what a superhero should be, look no further than Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson and Alex Ross’ Astro City: Life in the Big City. Any of the Astro City trades would do, really, but fanpeople have a thing about starting at the beginning. And there’s no better beginning that the story of the Superman-esque Samaritan, who’s so busy saving the world that all he wants is a little time to sleep so he can dream of simply flying. In one story, readers are hooked on the feelings of wonder and awe superheroes gave us when we were kids.

And there you have it, good readers. Now, go forth and deflower while your FNE thinks about pie. Mmm....
Read more!

West Side Story - New York Comic Con '08

by Rory

When the Pope came to New York City two weekends ago, the Big Apple was blessed in many ways. The weather was beautiful, Isiah Thomas's corpse was expunged from Madison Square Garden, and the 3rd annual New York Comic Con was in town! And guess who was there to take pictures and make snarky comments about it?

Now, mind you, I only attended because I "scored free tickets". On the scale of "scoring free tickets for something geeky/awesome", I'd rank this somewhere between Neil Diamond concert tickets and seeing an inspirational talk from Richard Simmons.

And boy was I honking.

Just $8.44 per half hour? What a bargain! I knew I shouldn't have taken a $2 subway ride! I should've brought my car. Scratch that - two cars!

(Note: this was about a 15 minute walk to the convention center.)

On the way to the convention center on Friday, these kindly gentlemen were giving away free Coca-Cola. What better way to enjoy a comic book convention than jacked up on sugar? I swear, if comic cons were held in every country, there would be no wars. Or, at least, the wars would be a lot cooler to watch.

The lovely Jacob Javits center on a beautiful Friday afternoon. The guy leaving was clearly too sexy for this comic convention. And it wasn't ironic in any way judging from what we'll see inside.

The hot dog vendors clearly had this date circled in their calendars. Christmas in April for these proud meat-type product vendors.

Ah, finally we reach the convention floor. Mercifully not presented here in smell-o-vision. Keep an eye out for all the questionable facial hair decisions!

Don't worry, I can't stop staring at Hulk's package either.

Yes, they had a section dedicated for people to sit in bean-bag chairs. What kind of lazy slobs do they take us for? Well, it does look comfortable, and those Ring-Dings aren't sitting well from breakfast....maybe I'll sit down, just for a bit...

Ever wonder who would win in a lightsaber fight between Spider-Man and some Luke Skywalker-looking guy? Easy: Society wins. This was worth the price of admission. Or, at least, the price I paid for admission.

And just a scant few yards away were the Star Wars dress up people! Seriously, how much more would people like Return of the Jedi if there were TWO Leias in gold bikinis?

Why the comic industry's sales suck: this whole booth, set up by the CBLDF, had posters for Will Eisner's book "The Plot" all over. Intrigued, I ask if I can see the book. The guy said he didn't have any copies of the book. Not that they had been sold out, mind you, it is just he was never given any copies to display. In fact, he said he had no idea that they would be promoting this book and that the booth would look like this.

People forget how big the Jacob Javits Center is. In the basement, below the comic con, was a gym industry convention. I not you shit! "Wow" is all I can say. This reminds me of the Far Side "Trouble Brewing" running gags, where you would see a poodle training center next to a condor training center. I wonder if the person booking these things saw the potential jocks/geeks clash here.

No snarky comment here. This is just cool.

Well, with the beautiful spring weather, a free ticket, and a few hours to kill on a weekend, the New York Comic Con is the place to be. See you next year!

...wait, it is in February next year? It'll be fucking freezing! Anybody got free tickets to San Diego? Read more!