§ Over the weekend, Tom thought a LOT about webcomics.

§ CBR interviews Eric Reynods about MOME not too long ago:

When you started “Mome,” you had something different from the typical alternative comics anthology in mind, correct?

Before “Mome” started, what I see as the dominant anthology that’s out there, at least in the terms as what I perceive as being the best work, was “Kramers Ergot,” and “NON” when Jordan Crane was doing that. A few other things here and there, but I guess that “Kramers” has become the big one. And I totally love it. I think that there has been some perception that “Mome” was at odds with “Kramers.” I never intended that to be the case, although I did intend for it to be very different. I simply wanted it to be more accessible. Some people may take that for better or worse because “accessibility” is going to imply a little bit more conservatism than you’d find with “Kramers.”


200710081221§ We usually avoid linkblogging to the outrageous statements of John Byrne, because that would be a daily website, but this takedown of CAPTAIN CARROT link which is going around is too funny not to share.

CAPTAIN CARROT was a virtual textbook of How to Get It Wrong. The internal logic was constantly skewed. What would prompt anyone to coin the term “pig iron” in a world inhabited, at least in part, by intelligent pigs? Wouldn’t that be an awful “racist” slur? What would an “alley cat” be in a world with intelligent cats? And, seriously, can we imagine a “real” superhero called, say, Captain Hamburger?

The book had all the earmarks of a “parody” — but, of course, it was a “parallel universe”, not a parody!! — done by civilians. By people who do not “get” the language of superhero comics. Appalling, when you consider who actually created it.

And let us never forget the solemn pronouncement from The Powers That Were, lo these many years ago —- “CRISIS is going to get rid of all the parallel Earths — except the one inhabited by Captain Carrot!”


§ Jeff Smith, pull your pants up.

1 COMMENT

  1. Man. I love Byrne’s work, but he’s gotta lighten up. Next he’ll be going off about SpongeBob and the illogic of there being a beach near Bikini Bottom. Or campfires underwater. Or any other number of things.

  2. It’s about time some had the balls to cut down Captain Carrot and call it on its bullshit. I mean, a flying rabbit? Thank you, John Byrne for saying what everyone else in the comic industry is afraid to say. I will send you your Medal Of Courage right after I get through with this sarcastic post.

  3. “What would prompt anyone to coin the term ‘pig iron’ in a world inhabited, at least in part, by intelligent pigs?”

    Oh, I dunno. Why would a guy call himself Iron Man in a world inhabited, at least in part, by intelligent men?

  4. Every time I read one of John Byrne’s asinine positions on subjects like this, I’m reminded of the following quote from FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF…

    “Pardon my French, but Cameron is so tight that if you stuck a lump of coal up his ass, in two weeks you’d have a diamond.”

  5. Oh my. I’ve never read captain carrot (I’m waiting for that Showcase, I hope you are listening DC), but those are some very weak quibbles. What is the point of hating a light-hearted 20+ year-old comic book?
    On a lighter note, “bikini bottom” never fails to make me smile in it’s cleverness.

  6. Wait no more, Alan Brown!

    This coming Wednesday, October 10, the first issue of DC Comics’ three-issue mini-series, CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK — starring the Zoo Crew, characters that I co-created (with Roy Thomas) over twenty-five years ago — will finally hit the stands. CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK has been written by Bill Morrison, drawn by Scott Shaw!, inked by Al Gordon, colored by Tom Luth, lettered by Ken Lopez and edited by Joey Cavalieri.

    Not a “kiddie comic” — but, like THE SIMPSONS and ROCKY AND HIS FRIENDS, with a multi-tiered sense of humor that appeals to younger readers as well — CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK explores a world of “funny animals” that mirrors (and parodies) those of more traditional comic books. Captain Carrot (secretly cartoonist Rodney R. Rabbit) leads a team of animal superheroes, the Zoo Crew — which includes Pig-Iron, Alley-Kat-Abra, Rubberduck, Yankee Poodle, Fastback and American Eagle — as they face the threat of marine terrorists who are at the forefront of a planet-wide war between land-dwelling critters and the inhabitants of “Earth-26’s” oceans. Along the way, we make fun of comic book conventions, J. J. Abrams’ upcoming giant monster movie, DC’s 52 and COUNTDOWN series (for which CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK is actually an official tie-in), death in comics, lawyers, Tex Avery, Sergio Aragonés, Prince, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, Jack Kirby’s NEW GODS and much more. And the series’ finale features a HUGE surprise that, once and for all, establishes the Zoo Crew’s ties to the “regular” DC universe.

    From my decades of experience in animation, I’ve tried to integrate designs, staging and acting in this comic book that are more commonly associated with cartoons, but with a distinctly “Jack Kirby-esqe” flair. It’s also full of gags, both visual and verbal. Frankly, I think that CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK represents some of the best stuff I’ve ever drawn. And I think that writer Bill Morrison (editor of SIMPSONS COMICS’ Bongo Comics), inker Al Gordon (FANTASTIC FOUR and JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA) and colorist Tom Luth (SERGIO ARAGONES’ GROO THE WANDERER) are all at the top of their respective careers, too.

    You can view a sneak peek of the first five pages of CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK No. 1 here:

    http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=131956

    I respectfully ask all of you to please support our little funnybook series and pick up copies of CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK for yourselves and your kids. I really think you’ll all dig it. Thanks!

    Aloha,

    Scott Shaw!

  7. And why arw they the Zoo Crew? At what lame zoo do you see a pig, poodle, turtle, cat, duck, mouse and rabbit? Sounds more like the “Pet Store Crew” to me. Right on, JB!!

  8. Wow, for a second, Mr. Shaw actually dispelled any negativity in this topic. Kinda like Glinda the Good Witch! Nice job, Mr. Shaw!

  9. I just can’t wait for Grant Morrison to fully dissect and interpret the inner psychology of Captain Carrot, and what exactly it means to be part of a ‘Zoo’ ‘Crew’ so to speak.

  10. Tom, I’ve thought a lot about webcomics too. Interesting. Byrne is crazy and Heidi, don’t be a hata’, the hip hugger jean look is cool.

  11. Jeff Smith is hot! Wow, puts that whole Dave Sim “blogandmail” dustup in a different perspective, don’t it?