Comics and Manga

Does io9 Get It Right About SF and “Competence Porn”?

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Well worth reading.  Rough summary, SF has diverged from “Competence Porn” – the joy of seeing smart and skilled people do smart and skilled things.  I agree with the thesis that this has happened, but not his explanations.  In fact I probably need to analyze this for awhile before I can coherently state my own theories.

However, I think there’s something here.  Maybe it’s just my age, but for me my SF heroes were always, well, competent.  Scientists and adventurers with names like Dick Seaton (oh, E.E. Smith . . .), Danny Dunn, Tom Swift, John Carter.  Even Luke Skywalker, a bit niave, was a fast learner – but then again *I* mostly wanted to be Han Solo or Obi-Wan, so maybe I don’t care.

Something to think over.

Also I am so using the term “Competence Porn.”

(Edit: I put in the wrong link.  Ironic that.)

– Steven Savage

 

Jason Sacks Announces a Sabre Kickstarter!

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(Jason Sacks, friend of the site, is involved in a Kickstarter of a classic comic of years past: Sabre)

I’ve always been attracted to creators whose work shows a clear, uncompromising vision. I’m always delighted when a brave creator takes a unique take on material that is very specifically their vision and doesn’t compromise with anybody else’s.

I’ve always been attracted to the comics work of Don McGregor. Don is a writer of singular vision. Don is a humanistic, compassionate, deeply intelligent and immensely passionate writer about a world in which powerful men and women fight for everything that Don cares about – love, freedom, truth, friendship. Don’s characters always have to battle valiantly for the things that are important to them, whether they’re The Black Panther, Killraven, Warrior of the Worlds, Luke Cage Power Man or his most explosive character, Sabre.

The struggle and fight to find happiness is a brutally human event in Don’s comics, which contrasts deeply with his thoroughly poetic writing style. Don writes from the heart, creates characters that live in three dimensions and thoroughly inhabit their lives.

Don’s new book, Sabre: The Early Future Years (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jsacks/sabre-graphic-novel-by-don-mcgregor-and-trevor-von), illustrated by Trevor Von Eeden – another deeply intelligent and enthusiastic creator – brings that vision to the printed page once again with an intense action/adventure romance with all the customary thrills and passion that Don brings to all of his comics.

I agreed to take this project on as the Project Coordinator because I love Don’s vision for his world. He’s a man who truly inhabits his world with a joy and energy that makes you just want to rally around and feel that same joy yourself.

I hope you’ll take a moment to look over this project and hopefully be part of bringing Don’s latest vision to the printed page.

Taking My Date To Cantown. Homestuck Creator To Work On Datesim

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No.  Really.

Now I’ll remark that this is great.  Andrew Hussie is clearly a dynamic and energized person who can create things and to say the least stick with a project.  I’m glad to see him getting even more to do, even if I’m not really into Homestuck.

So kudos for his one phenomena leading to another job!

Except it’s a datesim where, and I’m not making this up, you date Namco-Bandai characters.  Really.  In a High School.  I’m not even sure how to process this level of strangeness yet, except maybe it’s some kind of hope to move datesims over here, influenced by School Doll Culture (Monster High/Ever After High/Equestria Girls), or . . . the super robot games.  Or something.

Look I have no idea.  But maybe this’ll open up datesims more in the American market.  Or something.

Man, the “homestuck” part of this is unsurprising.

– Steven