Angie Hoxie

So You Need a New Comic: Image Comics Is Changing the Game

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Angie Hoxie

So you want to get into comics but you aren’t a huge fan of superheroes? Comics are in right now. Guardians of the Galaxy, an obscure galactic fighting force from the Marvel Galaxy was one of the highest grossing films of the summer. Gotham, a prequel to Batman that focuses on Detective James Gordon, whom most people remember as the guy Gary Oldman, aka Sirius Black, played in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Even the lesser network stations, like the CW are successfully cashing in on the superhero comic hype with their series Arrow, which follows on billionaire Oliver Queen better known as Green Arrow (or that superhero who looks like a crossover between Peter Pan and Robin Hood) and its most recent spin off The Flash. But hey, you are still not into the over-the-top, black and white ethics, and suspension of disbelief you typically need for the superhero genre. Well you should veer away from the Marvel and DC area of your local comic book store and head to the Image Comics section.

Image comics is making some of the best comics right now. Their most successful series is The Walking Dead, which later become the AMC series of the same name. Regardless of the massive success and following The Walking Dead currently has, the best book being made right now at Image is by far Brian Vaughn’s Saga. Saga follows Marko, Alana, and their new baby girl Hazel (who also happens to be the narrator) as they try to escape authorities who aren’t too keen about their new offspring. Some background, Saga takes place in a universe where two warring factions, winged-people from the planet Landfall (Alana) and the horned people from Landfall’s moon Wreath (Marko), have been fighting against each other for generations.

What sets Saga apart from many of the more mainstream comics, is the genuine humanness of the characters (who aren’t actually human). Artist, Fiona Staples’ ability to draw facial expressions that go beyond the typical five or six seen in most weekly super hero comics really pull the book together. Without her work, Vaughn’s amazing storytelling would only be half finished. A witty remark from Alana is only complete with a full body eye roll drawn by Staples in the panel.

The world building in Saga is fantastic. Even though you are reading a book with pictures of horned and winged people, beings with computers for heads, or other various ridiculous looking creatures introduced through the series, the surreal environment starts to feel more realistic and relatable than many Spiderman and Superman issues. I would highly recommend picking up Saga: Volume One featuring monthly issues #1-6. Released in 2012, Volume One has earned several accolades including the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series and Best Writer for Brian Vaughn.

Playing off the typical superhero powers trope, Image released Sex Criminals about two mid-twenties something characters that learn they can pause the world post-coital. Suzie and Jon meet at a party, hit it off following some witty Thomas Pynchon joke (I will admit I did and still do not understand), and proceed to have sex with each other following the party. It is at this point after they orgasm they realize each other has the same ability to stop time. The book follows as both Suzie and Jon tell each other about their sexual histories and when they first learned they had this “super” ability. Sex Criminals plays around with the belief that the world stops after an orgasm. In reality this last seconds, but for Suzie and Jon, they can make it last for much longer.

The frank discussions of sex and sexuality presented in Sex Criminals, is both refreshing and eye-opening. Each characters’ revelations about when they first figured out they could stop time is telling concerning the differences between when boys and girls have their first orgasms; Jon realizes he can pause time following a trip to the porno magazine shop and Suzie has her first experience in the bathtub. Suzie and Jon realize after a non-stop weekend of stopping time they can use their special ability to rob banks. Sex Criminals is a refreshing story of sexuality and also non-stop pop culture references. It is an engrossing read and by the time you get to the end of Sex Criminals: Volume One “One Weird Trick” (now available with issues #1-5) you will want more (monthlies available at your local comic book store!).

Image’s growing library of great comic reads are beginning to include some of the most critically acclaimed books being released right now. Some other great options to read are Chew, about a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agent who solves crime by eating both food and people, Rocket Girl about a girl stuck in the 80s after a time-spanning conspiracy, and Jupiter’s Legacy that delves deeper into the generational divide of aging superheroes and their children, along with concepts of American Idealism. Jupiter’s Legacy is both meta and philosophical, along with new authors having to live up to the Golden Age of Comics. If there is one thing above everything I have said about Image Comics, at least read them because they create some kick-ass complex female characters.

How to Craft a Novel (Novella, Fanfiction, Facebook Status), As Told By Non-Pulitzer Prize Winning Author Tina Belcher

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Angie Hoxie

First, come up with an idea. The juicier and surprising the better! Adjective lists are key. Let your mom know about your idea. Moms never tell you something is ridiculous until after you do it!

Next, set up a schedule to write your book. Everyone feels accomplished when they get things done before noon! Ignore the haters. They will be first in line when you are the next E.L. James. E-Books are totally in. Maybe yours will be so successful it becomes a movie starring a hottie who plays a serial killer on a BBC series.

Finally, get that thing published. Make sure to read aloud to all of your friends so they can see just how hard you worked! Coffee shops are good for this too. No one goes to a coffee shop to drink coffee anymore. All the other budding writers on their Max Book Pros will want to hear your excellent prose. Next stop $.99 Kindle offer!

Tina Belcher’s (my) advice is so good it should be showcased at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. It is not though so take all with a grain of salt, or a hand of sand. Good luck and happy novelling!

Twilight and Reading All the Words

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Angie Hoxie

I recently had a disagreement with someone on Facebook about Twilight on whether Edward Cullen is a controlling boyfriend. Specifically, I posted a video where the narrator compared Twilight to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, by claiming

“Twilight is about a catatonic teenager who falls for a creepy vampire boner that sparkles in the sunshine. It’s underlying message is finding a man and submitting to him…Buffy the Vampire Slayer on the other hand is about a girl with superpowers who punches people in the face!”

The person whom the disagreement occurred with argued that this portrayal doesn’t exist in the book. After I pointed out that the character of Edward fit several psychologists lists of controlling boyfriends, they refused to to believe this. In fact, instead of discussing the topic further, they just made the claim, ‘I can believe what I want, you can believe what you want.’ Now this isn’t meant to insult the person who disagreed with me, but to examine what occurs when a reader fails to do a close reading of material.

I will admit, the first time I read Twilight I was so wrapped up in the story, I failed to recognize the signs of Edward’s abuse. Now, they may not have been the intent of the Stephenie Meyer, but it is her fault she attempted to create a romantic and unbeknownst to her, a character who has strong abusive qualities. It is quite common for a reader to become engrossed in a story, and fail to read all the details given. I have quite often skimmed entire pages that I knew wouldn’t have an impact on the actual story (ahem 50 Shades of Grey), but I am complicit in that action. Becoming oblivious or even ignoring major details of a story is something that happens so often, entire controversies surround them (i.e. Rue being depicted as a young black girl in the Hunger Games movie). Regardless of how you pictured the story in your head, doesn’t mean that is how it was written. What is great about books is when we don’t like how a character is described, we can subconsciously change it. I read all the Divergent books with the protagonist, Tris, having brown hair. Now this could definitely be attributed to me reading the books after the first movie came out (even though I didn’t see movie until after I read the books), but I knowingly disregarded the author’s description of her character because I didn’t want Tris to have blonde hair. It is much easier to create the character you want, than read the character that has already been created.

If we are willing to completely disregard portrayals of emotional, and sometimes physical abuse of women, then how are we supposed to teach our daughters and our sons how to treat women? The biggest issue with the characters Stephenie Meyer creates isn’t that she is aware that she create a controlling boyfriend for her protagonist, it’s that she is unaware of it. That is even scarier. She makes Edward seem romantic by creating an emotional dominant figure. Boyfriends aren’t supposed to watch you sleep when you don’t live in the same home as them. They aren’t supposed to demand where you are at all times. They aren’t supposed to determine who your friends can be. Meyer doesn’t even acknowledge that she creates these attributes for Edward. The few times Bella acknowledges Edward’s emotional control, she argues it away by saying he is just “worried” or “scared” or “concerned for her safety”. If Bella was putting herself at risk like Tris or Katniss (both situations, these characters are in control of their own actions, even if they may put themselves in danger. They also can fight for themselves.), that would be one thing. But she isn’t. Meyer allows her to become a doormat and then calls it love.

You can enjoy Twilight, you can even like it, but if you completely disregard or even choose to ignore the descriptions and actions of the characters, you are perpetuating the issue. I recognize that Jane Eyre is a classic piece of literature, but I acknowledge the abusive qualities of Mr. Rochester. Once an author publishes a book, it is now out in the world for everyone to read, analyze and critique. Joss Whedon said it best when JK Rowling told the world she regretted the Ron/Hermione relationship:

“All worthy work is open to interpretations the author did not intend. Art isn’t your pet– it’s your kid. It grows up and talks back to you.”

Why Are Screenwriters So Obsessed With Godot?

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Angie Hoxie

#TBT The Snark Notes Edition: August 6, 2008. This is a repost from a previous site I used to ramble about television.

Ever since the creation of being funny on television or referencing obscure stuff to make either viewers seem smarter or more stupid than their friends, screenwriters for some reason believe that references to Samuel Beckett’s absurdist play Waiting for Godot are necessary to make fun of why someone is late or missing. Everything from Dawson’s Creek, to House, to Buffy the Vampire Slayer have made references to the play. It seems as if any time a TV show wants to remark on why a character is remotely late, Beckett’s fateful play is used to make fun of the situation.

Waiting for Godot is arguably one of the best plays of the mid 20th Century regarding people’s obsessions with existential, Jungian/ Freudian, other philosophical and political thoughts of the time. The play is about two guys who sit around waiting for this other guy Godot, who inevitably, never arrives. There have been many interpretations on who Godot represents, and who Vladimir and Estragon (the guys sitting around) are supposed to represent. They have ranged from Godot representing a divine power who never comes to rescue Vlad and his bud, to waiting for things we can never have, to mindless waiting for anything. The main point is, television seems to ignore the entire interpretation of the play and have reduced it to waiting for a friend, husband, boyfriend/girlfriend, etc, who all incidentally eventually show up, unlike Godot.

To breakdown the misuse and obsession with referencing Godot, here are some examples:

Dawson’s Creek:
In the season premiere of the sixth season, Joey, Pacey, Jen, Jack, and Audrey are sitting around a bar hanging out when Joey asks where Dawson is. Audrey then responds:

“You mean “Godot” Leary?”

No Audrey, we do not mean Dawson ‘Godot” Leary, because Dawson shows up at the end of the show. He actually shows up well before the end of the show, which is something Godot never does. Dawson arrives after Joey, who I guess in this situation is the Vladimir, or maybe Estragon, waits around in the bar for him. He shows up, they go back to her dorm room, and history of the Joey/ Dawson relationship continues. I guess it wouldn’t be Dawson’s Creek without obscure literary references. Some even claim that Waiting for Godot was the inspiration for the entire series of Dawson’s Creek. God help us.

House:
House has made several references to Waiting for Godot. The first reference was the typical “where are they” reference. Wilson comments in Season 1, episode “The Poison” on the delayed reaction by the CDC by remarking that:

“Godot would be faster”

The CDC does show up. They always show up. Haven’t you seen Outbreak? [However the current ebola situation in West Africa is making me reevaluate this previous statement]

Waiting for Godot is referenced two seasons later during season 3 in “Finding Judas”, when Chase is frustrated because House won’t listen to him, which causes Wilson (what is with Wilson and Samuel Beckett) to reference Godot once again:

“Beckett would have called his play ‘Waiting for House’s approval’, but thought it would be too grim”

Gilmore Girls:
Keeping it in the WB family, Gilmore Girls followed in Dawson’s footsteps and their incessant references with their own Godot blurb. While sitting around Richard and Emily’s dining room table during Friday night dinner, Lorelai, in her insesent need to say things that no one else understands, remarks on how they have been waiting forever for Richard to come to the dinner table. Emily in her usual manner responds that it has not been forever. When Lorelai responds:

“Forever. Godot was just here. He said ‘I ain’t waiting for Richard,’ grabbed a roll and left. It’s been forever!”

This one is actually amusing. Godot is not Richard, which makes this reference funny because they have been sitting at the dinner table so long that Godot actually showed up, but Richard still hasn’t.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
Joss Whedon is known for his obscure references and witty humor. This is no different in carrying on the television legacy of referencing Godot. During season 3, we are introduced to a new slayer, Faith. She is known for being a badass and not for her punctuality. In one particular scene, the scooby gang: Buffy, Willow, Xander, Cordelia, Oz, Giles, and even Wesley are sitting around the library, figuring out how to save the world. Wesley tells Buffy she wait for Faith to go hunt down the demon. Buffy responds with:

“That could be hours. The girl makes Godot look punctual. I’ll just go myself. “

Yes, Faith shows up eventually and actually turns out to be evil, which is a weirder take on the play. But again, Joss uses Waiting for Godot to poke fun at a characters tardiness.

Joss makes another Waiting for Godot reference earlier in the series during season 1. This time it is a quote from the play and not just making fun of the fact that some is late. Written on the blackboard in the back of a classroom:

“To every man his little cross. ‘Til he dies. And is forgotten.”

This is both in reference to the play, but also the storyline which is about a girl who becomes invisible because nobody noticed her.

There have been numerous other references from names of episodes, like Home Improvement’s “Go, Go, Godot” to plays on the name of the play like Red Dwarf’s “Waiting for God” and the Riches’ “Waiting for Dogot”. Even television shows are analyzed as philosophical interpretations of the play, like South Park, yes I said South Park. They all might be a stretch, but the references and interpretations of Waiting for Godot will be forever infused into our society and the television we watch. Whether our society understands the references or not, that is something that will just need to wait for another day. My guess is no, but really who’s to say. All we can do is wait until another television show decides to reference Godot because one of their characters lacks punctuality. Until then, I think I might just go hang out with Pozzo.

Welcome to The Snark Notes: Reviews, Rants, and Criticisms for the Snarky Crowd

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Angie Hoxie

We are just some snarky gals who like to deal out the snark when it comes to our literary opinions. Enjoy our rants, disagree with our reviews, but remember, you can still enjoy a piece of literature while still being highly critical of the material, also snarky. We like bad feminism, TLC reality shows, and a good legal argument. After a couple glasses of wine some of us think we have a PhD in British Literature (which by the way, we do not). Pop Culture is our thing and bad music is our weakness. We are not the New York Times Book review, and we are far from the New Yorker. I would put us around bathroom wall graffiti, but the witty stuff, not the porno phone numbers. Thanks for reading!