I'll keep this as brief as I can. I wanted to mention my favourite comic critic of 2009 because, well, I spend a lot of time reading about comics, usually in the form of reviews, essays, and other forms of criticism. People talk a lot about how some critics are good, some are bad, but not many are ever recognised as such. Do they deserve it? Maybe. Maybe I'm doing this as a way to validate what I do and, really, compliment myself. That's certainly possible, but let's pretend it's actually because I read a lot of critics and simply want to point out which one I liked the best this year. Okay?
My favourite comic critic of 2009 was Tucker Stone. Stone, more than any other critic, continually wrote things that I wish I had written. I didn't always agree with his opinions (actually, I probably only agree with Tucker 50-60% of the time -- which is still pretty high), but can't think of many things he wrote that I thought were poorly written. He's the critic I usually have to try not to emulate because it would be easy to do a bad impression of him and his biting, harsh, sometimes mean criticism. (If you look at my writing here prior to finding out Tucker existed... which was probably one of the interviews he did toward the end of 2008... jesus, I've only been reading him for 2009 basically?... you'll see that I've always leaned toward that mocking style that Tucker does, well, better.) He's very good at making fun of the stupid and awful in comics, a sentiment I often share. And... I think that says enough so things aren't completely awkward online or in any future interactions with him... though probably not...
Tucker Stone's work can be found at his site the Factual Opinion, the Savage Critics, his column This Ship is Totally Sinking at Comixology, and his series of web episodes of criticism, Advanced Common Sense.
Tomorrow: the top ten comics of 2009.
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5 comments:
That's interesting, because I loathe Stone's writing. I agree that he's an intelligent guy, but he seems so very mean-spirited that I just wonder why the hell he's putting himself through it, not to mention the audience. Abhay, for instance, is often mean-spirited, but he seems to temper it with his weirdness. Stone is so angry that it undercuts any good points he might make. Yes, it's fun to make fun of mainstream superhero comics, but it's awfully easy as well. I mean, Stone thinks [random superhero comic] sucks. So what? And he's not as funny as he thinks he is.
I don't know how funny Tucker thinks he is, but I find him pretty damn funny most of the time. I can understand not liking his style, but I thoroughly enjoy reading him tear comics apart -- though to say that's all he does is missing a lot of his writing. The most recent Advanced Common Sense was wonderfully funny as he used positivity to criticise both the comics and, I suspect, his critics.
Though, as I pointed out, my style of criticism has always skewed to the 'make fun of this stupid shit' end of the spectrum... even when it comes to things I like. Usually, when it comes to blog on the books I buy, my mind always jumps to the flaws despite the books being ones I genuinely enjoy and look forward to each month. Perhaps Tucker is the same. Or, perhaps, it's never his true opinion. (Which is something I sometimes wonder about...)
Out of curiosity, who is your favourite comic critic? (I was partly hoping that by naming mine, more people would come forward and state theirs... because I'm curious to see who tops people's lists in this field.)
Abhay is totally my favorite, and I think Jog is pretty brilliant.
Tucker can be good, but can also rub me the wrong way sometimes. I like him when he's in serious mode, rather than angry-child-on-purpose mode.
That's a good question. I don't think I read enough comics criticism to speak knowledgably on the subject. Like Mr. Reed there, I would say Abhay and Jog are my favorites. I don't read Jog enough, and Abhay doesn't write often enough, but when I do and he does, it's entertaining and insightful. I honestly think I'm not smart enough sometimes to really get some of these guys. That's not really me being self-deprecating, I'm being serious. But that's okay - I still like reading them!
Not to stroke your ego or anything, but I do like your style. And I really like it when you and Tim get together to chat about stuff!
I really like Jog and Abhay as well... though Abhay can be a little hit-or-miss for me sometimes.
Greg, I like it when Tim and I do the Splash Page stuff as well. Different thoughts and insights come out when you're discussing a work with someone than when you're just writing what's in your head.
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