Originally published September 18, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1296
Assorted notes on “The Wrap Party,” a convention in the United Kingdom I recently attended:
Month: May 2013
Comics and Ageism
Originally published September 11, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1295
Harlan Ellison told me an interesting anecdote, in relation to the Writers Guild of America’s committee on ageism. The head of the committee, a writer well into middle age, was complaining of rampant ageism in the industry: a very pronounced prejudice against older writers. Another writer, upon hearing this, said, “I know exactly what you’re talking about. I’ve had to deal with that kind of thing, too.” The committee head was skeptical that the relatively young man could have experience with prejudice on the basis of age.
The young writer then related the tale of an appointment he had with the producers of Spin City. He was going to pitch story possibilities, perhaps even be in line for a staff position. He called the day before the meeting to confirm. He was told, yes, by all means, they were looking forward to meeting with him. Then he was asked, “By the way, how old are you?” He was, he told them, thirty-one.
“Oh,” the person on the other end informed him, “Then you don’t have to bother coming in. We’re only looking for people in their twenties.” Keep in mind that the series was created by Gary David Goldberg, who hasn’t seen twenty in several decades.
Talent didn’t matter, experience didn’t matter, knowledge didn’t matter. Old is bad, young is good, and anything which has the slightest taint of “not now” is tossed aside.
Comics Then and Now
Originally published September 4, 1998, in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1293
The past couple of columns, we’ve discussed aspects of, and moments in, comic history. I rattled off about a dozen or so examples of what I perceive as some of comics’ most “memorable moments,” all of which occurred—as will come as a great shock, it seems, to many modern readers—at a time that pre-existed not only their interest in comics, but their birth.
What we’re seeing, when we witness the sort of shortsighted displays as Wizard‘s 25 most memorable moments in comics history, almost none of which occurred earlier than 1979, is the sort of massive blind spot which is rampant throughout not only comics readership, but throughout much of the country. It is the belief that history doesn’t matter. More—that it’s boring. Irrelevant. That whatever happened before, it can’t possibly compare in quality, style or importance with what’s happening now.
So have you seen Iron Man 3 yet?
After all, it’s Sunday. I figure any real comics fan saw it by Friday.
Personally I loved it. SO much better than Iron Man 2 (which I despised). Robert Downey once again makes the argument that no one can play Tony Stark the way he can: he comes across as a combination of arrogant and vulnerable, dealing with a massive case of PTSD after the events in “The Avengers.” Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper is more a damsel in distress than ever, but somehow manages to make it work. And the villains are great, especially Ben Kingsley’s Mandarin who will doubtless drive many of the long time fans nuts, but yet somehow totally works.
3D is wholly unnecessary. Save money and see it in 2D.
PAD
Memorable Moments in Comics History, Part 2
Originally published August 28, 1998 in Comics Buyer’s Guide #1293
Before we continue with the thread of last week’s column, I have a bit of business to attend to, so bear with me.
It has come to my attention that there was a guy running around on message boards and DC Comics websites masquerading as me. He has been discussing upcoming events in books of mine (meaning he reads Previews, I suppose) and has also been badmouthing the work of pros such as Grant Morrison. This is not grief I need.
Continue Reading “Memorable Moments in Comics History, Part 2”
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