seawarrior's review
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
It was interesting to learn more about the history of mini-comics, since I love comics for many of the same reasons these creators claim they do. Independent comics are a medium where it is possible to tell highly cinematic and personal stories without compromising one's artistic vision, which creates an intimacy between the creative and the reader than I find really unique.
However, many of these stories and their creatives either did not interest me, or repulsed me. To be specific, the inclusion of casual transmisogyny and one line that a creative was "proud of their Aryan heritage" made me want to slam down the book in disgust. It is difficult to respect those who originally worked on those pieces, or an editor that would include them without criticism or reflection as to how those words may impact readers. It is an oxymoron to praise independent comics for being diverse, while also praising work that echos a message "you're not welcome here" to marginalized readers.
In continuation from my last criticism, I was disappointed that almost all of the contributors to this anthology were white. I find it difficult to believe that people of color have not been contributing equally valuable work to medium of mini-comics throughout the six decades that this collection encompassed. I know that is it difficult to locate creatives and their work in this field, that point was stressed multiple times by multiple people throughout the treasury. However, if one is prepared for undertaking that challenge, I don't see why they shouldn't put equal effort into ensuring they don't almost exclusively network with and highlight the work of white men.
To end on a more uplifting note, it was nice to be reminded that creating comics is a matter of personal determination, and most creators begin with work that aren't necessarily proud of once further developing their artistic and storytelling abilities. Reading this treasury also reminded me to participate more in circulating the work of the creators I do feel mutual respect with. I think this collection has value as an educational and historical resource, though I'm not sure I would recommend it to others.
However, many of these stories and their creatives either did not interest me, or repulsed me. To be specific, the inclusion of casual transmisogyny and one line that a creative was "proud of their Aryan heritage" made me want to slam down the book in disgust. It is difficult to respect those who originally worked on those pieces, or an editor that would include them without criticism or reflection as to how those words may impact readers. It is an oxymoron to praise independent comics for being diverse, while also praising work that echos a message "you're not welcome here" to marginalized readers.
In continuation from my last criticism, I was disappointed that almost all of the contributors to this anthology were white. I find it difficult to believe that people of color have not been contributing equally valuable work to medium of mini-comics throughout the six decades that this collection encompassed. I know that is it difficult to locate creatives and their work in this field, that point was stressed multiple times by multiple people throughout the treasury. However, if one is prepared for undertaking that challenge, I don't see why they shouldn't put equal effort into ensuring they don't almost exclusively network with and highlight the work of white men.
To end on a more uplifting note, it was nice to be reminded that creating comics is a matter of personal determination, and most creators begin with work that aren't necessarily proud of once further developing their artistic and storytelling abilities. Reading this treasury also reminded me to participate more in circulating the work of the creators I do feel mutual respect with. I think this collection has value as an educational and historical resource, though I'm not sure I would recommend it to others.
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