Author Archives: Michael Hale

The Comics Classroom: Learning to Listen with FRUITS BASKET

The Comics Classroom: Learning to Listen with FRUITS BASKET

I have written in the past on topics concerning Japanese intellectual properties that engage with Japanese culture through both high and low forms of art. It is no secret that I love anime and manga, but I have (mostly) targeted some rather ‘safe’ genres such as samurai, giant robots, and transforming female heroines. Heck, I

The Comics Classroom: On the Tragic Villainy of BLACK ADAM

What makes a villain transition in your mind’s eye from being good to being iconic? In some ways, the status of being iconic is simply one of textual longevity, i.e. being a character who has remained as part of a mythos despite their flaws, and thus has become enmeshed into the narrative so much that

MISTER MIRACLE: The Face At The End of This Boom Tube

Trying to talk about Tom King and Mitch Gerad’s work on Mister Miracle feels like being asked to explain the meaning of life. Or, Anti-Life, even. While, sure, there are some examples within the 300 pages of the Mister Miracle trade paperback that supports specific views of what Anti-Life and Life Equations could be, ultimately

Review: NAOMI #1

NAOMI #1 Written by Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker Art by Jamal Campbell and Josh Reed Edited by Mike Cotton, Andy Khouri, and Jessica Chen Published by DC Comics/Wonder Comics Release Date: January 22, 2019 DC Comics’ Wonder Comics imprint continues to impress with Naomi #1, a comic which doesn’t explicitly break any

Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #2

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #2 Written by Jason Aaron Art by Mahmud Asrar and Matthew Wilson Edited by Mark Basso Published by Marvel Comics Release Date: January 16, 2019 Jason Aaron’s exploration of Conan, back under the stewardship of Marvel Comics, continues! At first this story might seem like a deviation from the ending of issue

Review: BLACK WIDOW #1

BLACK WIDOW #1 (of 5) Written by Jen Soska & Sylvia Soska Art by Flaviano, Veronica Gandini, Joe Caramagna Edited by Jake Thomas and Mark Basso Published by Marvel Comics Release Date: January 16, 2019 Characters like Natasha Romanoff, when handled with consideration for her capacities to be balanced between assassin and hero, have real

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