the pulp (Issue 7, August 2014) by The Pulp

Issue 7, August 2014

magazine Editor Talk Welcome to (what I’m going to term) our comics issue! That’s right—there’s plenty for the comic fiend in this bad boy of an issue. From the Johnny Canuck Kickstarter campaign, to Russ Dobler’s hilarious suggestions for Marvel’s next big screen comic book adaptations, through to a new comic recommendation engine for Edmontonians, founded by Wizard’s Comic’s own Brandon Schatz. It’s sweatpant an’ reading time, people.

Cheryl Cottrell-Smith, Editor-in-Chief Writer/editor. Loves comics, Fable/Dragon Age, and Futurama. Hopes that one day they’ll bring back Playdium. @CottrellSmithC Kelsey Beier, Musings Columnist Lover of music, writing, traveling and working with kids. Teacher by day; unpublished author by night (and sometimes on the weekends).

We’ve also got a great new column by Allan Mott called “One Too Many.” He’s going to give you a breakdown of sequels and prequels and superfluous films that make you think “enough already!” There may be some merit to a few of these movies, though, so stay tuned.

Teresa Simmons, Fashion Columnist Fashion writer/blogger at Simmons On Style. Can’t live w/out little black dresses, seafood, Indie music, and lip gloss. @simmonsonstyle

Also in this issue, Kelsey Beier muses on people-watching and the performative nature of modern day crowds. When you know you’re being watched in public (and even when you don’t), do you act the same as when you’re in private?

Russ Dobler, Editorial Contributor Known as "Dog" to friends and weirdos; wannabe scientist; beer lover. Blogs at thoughtfulconduit.com/whatdoesthismean.

And, of course, we’ve got your fashion tips at the ready with this month’s column by Teresa Simmons. Bowties, anyone? Enjoy our comics issue…and don’t forget to buy your Edmonton Expo passes. It’s next month!

Cheryl Editor-in-Chief thepulppress.com 2

The People of the Hour!

Allan Mott, Editorial Contributor Film enthusiast and blogger at vanityfear.com. Can be found giving opinions on films and other cultural paraphernalia @HouseofGlib.

Issue 7, August 2014

CONTENTS comics + graphic novels 4

Heat Check: The top four oddball properties Marvel Studios should try next – Russ Dobler

The resurrection of Johnny Canuck – Cheryl CottrellSmith

Looking for comics? Ask Variant Edition. – Cheryl Cottrell-Smith

fashion + cosplay 14

How to wear: Bowties – Teresa Simmons

musings

lit + film 19

One Too Many: Graffiti Bridge (1990) – Allan Mott

8 3

Are you being watched? – Kelsey Beier

Issue 7, August 2014

Written by Russ Dobler | Images courtesy of Marvel Comics

Comic feature

Heat Check: The top four oddball properties Marvel Studios should try next 4

Issue 7, August 2014

In a recent interview with the website Comic Book Resources, Marvel Comics senior vice president of publishing, Tom Brevoort, reminisced that when Marvel Studios decided in 2004 to start financing its own films, rather than licensing its properties to other companies, most pundits predicted failure. The agreements that brought the X-Men to life via 20th Century Fox and saw Spider-Man swing across the silver screen thanks to Sony—put into place in a diversification bid to prevent a repeat of the comic company’s 1996 bankruptcy—prevented the nascent studio from itself using the most iconic of all of Marvel’s characters. What could they do with the dregs that were left? Of course that was before a stuck-up billionaire in a tin suit revitalized Robert Downey Jr.’s career and showed proof positive that the right people could spin B-list straw into critical and commercial gold. In 2008, Iron Man made nearly $100 million on its opening weekend alone and ultimately grossed almost $1 billion worldwide. As the first film in what would become the integrated “Marvel Cinematic Universe,” it paved the way for Thor, Captain America and the eventual superhero jam session The Avengers, which became the third highest-grossing movie of all time. Then again, contrary to what some outsiders might have thought, the Avengers weren’t exactly the dimmest of prospects. “Earth’s mightiest heroes” were one of Marvel’s first super teams in the 60s and endured through the decades to eventually take their place at the top of the publishing charts shortly before their movie counterparts captured the hearts of filmgoers. When the announcement came that the studio’s next would-be franchise was comprised of a motley assortment of cosmic-themed characters not brought together into their current form until 2008, similar critical voices wondered if this would be Marvel Studios’ first major misstep. Guardians of the Galaxy would go on to make more money in its opening night than the

would be Marvel Studios’ first major misstep. Guardians of the Galaxy would go on to make more money in its opening night than the acclaimed Captain America: The Winter Soldier, before completing the biggest August weekend ever. Possibly emboldened by its apparent Hulklike invincibility, rumors now swirl that the studio will next test audiences’ credulity with the genetically-altered Inhumans. Although, really, if we bought a pirate raccoon and a talking tree, are a king whose voice levels mountains and a queen with prehensile hair that much of a leap? At this point, I think Marvel should just dunk its hot hand in a bucket of ice water to find out if they even can screw up. In that spirit, here are five whacked-out ideas from comic history that, if brought to the masses, could once and for all show if the brand is merely mortal or truly bulletproof.

1. The Great Lakes Avengers The Marvel Studios juggernaut has done a good job of making the word “Avenger” synonymous with “superhero,” creating a genre trademark that almost sells itself. Why not stretch that concept to its limit and see if it snaps? The Great Lakes Avengers first appeared in 1989 in a series that was already a spin-off, “West Coast Avengers.” And you know what they say about making a copy of a copy. Or a copyright, as the Wisconsin-based wannabes were once issued a ceaseand-desist order by the Stark Foundation, telling them to change their name or else. But in this time of corporate

Foundation, telling them to change their name or else. But in this time of corporate synergy, couldn’t the Avengers use a little local publicity? Or would guys like Mr. Immortal—a regenerating reject who was shot in the head during his very first mission – tarnish their public image? What about Big Bertha, with the power of being really large, or Flatman, who can terrify evil by resembling a piece of paper? Surely there’s marketing potential in Dinah Soar, the high-flying, pink pterodactyl-woman. That name’s a triple pun, goddamnit; can’t you see the dollar signs?! 2. Beta Ray Bill Comic fans take ownership of their characters seriously, and historically don’t like to see them deviate much from their status quo. The July announcement that the current Thor would become unworthy, leaving a more virtuous woman as wielder of the mystical hammer Mjolnir, was met with less skepticism than it might have been in times past, but it still had its detractors. Imagine what Walt Simonson must have put up with when he jobbed the mighty Asgardian out to a buck-toothed, horse-headed monster back in 1983. Beta Ray Bill, of the Korbinite alien race, set off into space after the fire demon Surtur nearly annihilated his people, and stalemated Thor upon encountering him near Earth. After the battle, Bill became the first other individual judged worthy of Mjolnir’s might, as he traveled to Asgard and fooled Odin himself into thinking he was Thor. Odin later pit his son against the impostor in a death match to decide who would carry the legacy going forward. Thanks, Dad. Beta Ray Bill won, but let Thor live and thus gained the Asgardian’s respect. Together they brought the hammer down on Surtur and the two have been big time bros ever since. Some say Bill’s appearance in the MCU is pre-ordained, as

Issue 7, August 2014

2. Beta Ray Bill Comic fans take ownership of their characters seriously, and historically don’t like to see them deviate much from their status quo. The July announcement that the current Thor would become unworthy, leaving a more virtuous woman as wielder of the mystical hammer Mjolnir, was met with less skepticism than it might have been in times past, but it still had its detractors. Imagine what Walt Simonson must have put up with when he jobbed the mighty Asgardian out to a buck-toothed, horse-headed monster back in 1983. Beta Ray Bill, of the Korbinite alien race, set off into space after the fire demon Surtur nearly annihilated his people, and stalemated Thor upon encountering him near Earth. After the battle, Bill became the first other individual judged worthy of Mjolnir’s might, as he traveled to Asgard and fooled Odin himself into thinking he was Thor. Odin later pit his son against the impostor in a death match to decide who would carry the legacy going forward. Thanks, Dad. Beta Ray Bill won, but let Thor live and thus gained the Asgardian’s respect. Together they brought the hammer down on Surtur and the two have been big time bros ever since. Some say Bill’s appearance in the MCU is pre-ordained, as the strangely horsey skeleton of a humanoid can be seen in the opening moments of Guardians. If it happens, I’d replace Surtur as a foil with another nemesis, Ego the Living Planet. Because his name is Ego. And he’s a LIVING. #@!%ING. PLANET.

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4. MODOK’s 11

3. The Fabulous Frog-Man He is the terror that leaps in the night! He is Eugene Patillo, son of minor Daredevil villain LeapFrog, who dons his father’s costume and attempts to fight crime to clear his dad’s name. “Attempts” being the key word there, as Patillo clumsily crashes his padded, cybernetic suit into equally farcical antagonists like the Alice in Wonderlandinspired White Rabbit and the super-strong Walrus, who I’ll guess owes his origins to some Beatles records and a couple tabs of acid. His accompanying nonsense notwithstanding, couldn’t the MCU use a crusading, guilt-ridden vigilante like Frog-Man? Spider-Man is still lost behind enemy lines, after all; although the film rights to Punisher have reverted back from Lionsgate. Come to think of it, how about a classic Marvel team-up movie? Punisher could use a new partner since Archie’s been gunned down. 7

When it became known that the villains in Iron Man 3 would be operating at the behest of Advanced Idea Mechanics, the nefarious science terrorists more often referred to simply as A.I.M., many thought the organization’s most well-known member, MODOK, would be the one pulling the strings. Sadly, as Captain America sequel screenwriter Christopher Markus recently pointed out, you can’t really include a giant, floating head with near-vestigial arms and legs without building the entire tone of the movie around him. So do it! Fred Van Lente wrote a 2007 miniseries focusing on the Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing and his vendetta against a onetime hook-up, the woman mild-mannered George Tarleton tried to impress by volunteering for the evolution-accelerating procedure that turned him into a highly intelligent, physically grotesque, living computer. The story—which in NO WAY borrows from a film with a stunningly similar name—sees MODOK assemble a team of sympathetic ne’er-do-wells to perform a complicated heist that will net him a weapon instrumental for his revenge. Selling a supervillain team movie might sound far-fetched, until you remember that’s exactly what Sony is doing with 2016’s Sinister Six, in response to flagging Spider-Man receipts. Unfortunately, precedent isn’t the only way Sony could scuttle a potential MODOK’s 11 movie, as several of the cads Tarleton assembles are presumably tied up in the Spider-Man licensing. The film would likely have to proceed without the Spot, the double-crossing teleporter whose only power is to create holes in space through which he travels, and Rocket Racer, a brilliant young engineer who supports his family by robbing banks with his souped-up skateboard. Might I suggest some possible substitutions from Marvel’s deep bench of bizarre bad guys?

banks with his souped-up skateboard. Might I suggest some possible substitutions from Marvel’s deep bench of bizarre bad guys? How about the Orb, a motorcycling Ghost Rider villain with a giant eyeball for a head? Or Ruby Thursday, a scientist whose head is a malleable plastic sphere that can form tentacles and fire force blasts? Wait, that’s too many weirdheaded villains. Better add Thursday’s occasional partner, Arthur Nagan, who has a normal human head…but the body of a gorilla. You know, for balance.

Issue 7, August 2014

Written by Kelsey Beier | Images courtesy of Kurt Bauschardt and ephotozine.com

Are you being watched? Are you familiar with the term “people-watching”? This is a term thrown around quite often within my own circle of friends, and it refers to the act of consciously observing people in a given setting or situation. Urban Dictionary defines people watching as:

While conducting a very academic Google search on the term, a detailed Wikipedia entry came up, as well as a 9 Step wikiHow on how one might “begin people watching.” I couldn’t help but find this page redundantly hilarious as you would think the name itself is self-explanatory. The idea of people-watching has existed ever since the 1920s and is derived from the French spectacle, meaning “a show,” and the Latin spectare, meaning “to view, to watch.” In 1967, French philosopher Guy Debord published a work entitled The Society of the Spectacle, in which he argues that authentic social life has been replaced with representation. In other words, as humans we are knowingly aware that we are being watched and therefore our actions and our selfportrayal may not always be completely authentic. Consider this idea in the modern realm of social media where we are obviously aware that we are being watched and, in actuality,

portrayal may not always be completely authentic. Consider this idea in the modern realm of social media where we are obviously aware that we are being watched and, in actuality, we crave the attention. The best people-watching in my opinion occurs when a created social setting attracts a variety of people from diverse backgrounds and throws them all together in a single arena in order to interact with each other and their surroundings. Although these situations are constantly happening all around us in any public setting, the inspiration for this article stemmed from my attendance of the many festival arenas that Edmonton has to offer over the summer. Saying this, here is my list of the top three summer festivals and events for people-watching:

Number Three: The Edmonton Street Performers Festival Although this festival is very entertaining, you can’t help but feel a little awkward at the end of each performance when the inevitable money-hat is being passed around, inviting the public to financially rate their experience. As an avid people-watcher, it’s interesting to see people’s reactions during this part of the show. Do they leave suddenly trying not to be noticed? Do they hum and haw about how much they should give? (The latter is what people-watchers would observe myself doing.) How does the performer ask for money? Is this part of the performance or can you actually see a glimpse of a troubled low-paid entertainer trying to make a buck?

Issue 7, August 2014

Number Two: Canada Day at the Legislature Grounds

Number One: K-Days

This public event is a completely free, no strings attached public arena. In turn, this means that the people-watching crowd is likely to consist of a very diverse group. At this

I was the last one of my friends to get a cell phone. I always thought: I’m either at home or out with one of my friends if anyone ever needs to get a hold of me. And it was nice knowing that sometimes people wouldn’t be able to get a

event, I enjoy watching how families interact, especially with sprinkles of tipsy teenagers and adults, with the river valley locals mixed in. I watch how parents manage their children (or don’t), how young love blossoms as flirty tweens gawk over each other, and how about 90% of the population are watching the world around them through some type of electronic device. Wait, hold that thought…I just have to interrupt this experience by posting a status stating that I’m currently at the legislature grounds with some friends, about to watch the fireworks. Number One: K-Days I was the last one of my friends to get a cell phone. I always thought: I’m either at home or out with one of my friends if

hold of me, even if they wanted to. This all changed one summer when I was 14 years old and making plans to go to K-Days with some friends. “But how will I find you if I come later? Where and when will we meet?” Alas, I purchased my first pay as you go cell phone and avoided the unwanted complications of the unsuccessful teenage rendezvous. This was the first summer I ever sent a text message. To me, K-Days is a festival for the youth. Rides, games, and warm, late summer nights. These things are appealing to many, but it’s the teenage crowd that swarms over the arena that makes K-Days what it is. I watch them trying to impress each other by winning various prizes on the midway or conquering the scariest rides in the park while exclaiming,

Issue 7, August 2014 that makes K-Days what it is. I watch them trying to impress each other by winning various prizes on the midway or conquering the scariest rides in the park while exclaiming, “It’s not even scary! I didn’t even want the safety belt on!” They’re often dressed in clothes and shoes that are fairly inappropriate and likely uncomfortable for flying around and upside down at fast speeds. I know these things to be true, as this used to be me. I would try on outfit after outfit, wondering which one screams “K-days!” My feet would always be so sore by the end of the night, since my shoes were chosen for aesthetics and never functionality. Now, I wish I could be as free-spirited as my teenage self when attending the festival. If one were to people-watch me in the present day at K-Days, they would find me in

comfortable and practical attire, a little too timid to try many of the rides, and hating the long lines and crowds more than ever before. If anyone dare try to butt into the line at any point, I would become extremely upset, shocked at the ignorance of a ground rule developed in Kindergarten. To me, people-watching is like watching a live performance unfold before your eyes, and never knowing what you might see. It forces me to ask questions about life and think in new ways while considering the respective stories of those you are observing. More than anything, it forces me to ask the question: who’s watching me and what’s my story?

Issue 7, August 2014

Comic feature

Written by Cheryl Cottrell-Smith | Images courtesy of Rachel Richey, Leo Bachle, and Adrian Dingle

The resurrection of Johnny Canuck of Johnny Canuck

Not all Kickstarter campaigns are winners. The global crowdfunding platform states that they “bring creative projects

to life,” which is all fine and dandy until someone raises $40,000 to make potato salad. Or gets $67,000 to build a Robocop statue in Detroit. Rachel Richey’s project, unlike many Kickstarter campaigns, has a selfless cause at its heart. Her goal was to raise $23,000 to reprint and publish Leo Bachle’s 1942 Canadian comic book series, Johnny Canuck. A comic book historian and archivist, Rachel most recently co-headed the project to republish the Nelvana of the Northern Lights A comic bookthehistorian and archivist, A Toronto resident, Rachel’s passion for comics comic series; Kickstarter campaignRachel for this initiative gained full funding within five days of its launch. most republish led her to any and all kinds of workfrom related to the comic culture: a superhero originally based Thisrecently time, co-headed Rachel hastheherproject sightsto set on a much more subversive character Canadian the Nelvana of the Northern Lights comic series; industry, from comic book retail, to documentary on a political lumberjack-inspired cartoon man that is still recognized as one of the logos for the Vancouver Canucks. The Johnny the Kickstarter campaign for this initiative gained research, to blogging about comic books. She has Canuck comics, Leolaunch. Bachle, were intended reprinted third party in 2010 and unfortunately never made the cut. full funding withincreated five daysby of its also spent to timebeworking withbytheacomics collection “In and others several when(LAC), I discovered This my time,head, RachelI began has herthis sightscampaign set on a much at Library and years ArchivesagoCanada where shethese comics had never been reprinted,” says Rachel. more subversive character from Canadian comic assisted in documenting, cataloguing, and culture: a superhero basedcame on a to political Canadian comics as Alpha “It wasn't until originally Kickstarter Canadaresearching that there for really seemed to besuch a chance.” lumberjack-inspired cartoon man that is still Flight, Nelvana, and, of course, Johnny Canuck. A Toronto resident, Rachel’s passion for comics led her to any and all kinds of work related to the industry, from comic book retail, recognized as one research, of the logostoforblogging the Vancouver “I gotbooks. involvedShe in comics I discovered the with the comics collection at Library and to documentary about comic has alsowhen spent time working Canucks. The Johnny Canuck comics, created by collection at LAC had not been catalogued,” says Archives (LAC), where she assisted documenting, cataloguing, and researching for Canadian comics such as Alpha Flight, Leo Bachle,Canada were intended to be reprinted by a inRachel. Nelvana, of course, Johnny Canuck. third party and, in 2010 and unfortunately never made “I all but begged them to give me a job, and the they collection at like LACI had beencourse catalogued,” says Rachel. the“Icut.got involved in comics when I discoveredwhen did it was was innota crash in “In head, I beganthem this campaign comicdid history! I tip course in Canadian comic history! (Thank you “I allmybut begged to give meanda others job, andCanadian when they it was(Thank like you I wasJohn in Bell, a crash several years ago when I discovered these comics my hat to you.) When I came to Toronto, I got a John Bell, I tip my hat to you.) When I came to Toronto, I got a job working with KevinjobBoyd at the Comic Book Lounge and got further had never been reprinted,” Rachel. It kind of working withsnowballing! Kevin Boyd at theNow Comic Lounge focusing on publishing Johnny Canuck and education in the world says of comics. just keeps I'mBook primarily “It wasn't until Kickstarter came to Canada that and got further education in the world of comics. other Golden Age tocomics.” there really seemed be a chance.” It kind of just keeps snowballing! Now I'm Kickstarter, in allRachel’s of its crowdfunding glory,primarily has been Rachel’s fundraising tool ofCanuck choice from the very beginning. A Toronto resident, passion for comics focusing on publishing Johnny comic that's essentially to anonymity for 70 years, Kickstarter is the perfect venue to bring them back! It led“For her toa any and all kindsbeen of work related torelegated the and other Golden Age comics.” industry, from comic documentary forces people to talkbook andretail, that'sto just what JohnnyKickstarter, needs!” in all of its crowdfunding glory, has research, to blogging about comic books. She has been Rachel’s fundraising tool of choice from the

Issue 7, August 2014

primarily focusing on publishing Johnny Canuck and other Golden Age comics.” Kickstarter, in all of its crowdfunding glory, has been Rachel’s fundraising tool of choice from the very beginning. “For a comic that's been essentially relegated to anonymity for 70 years, Kickstarter is the perfect venue to bring them back! It forces people to talk and that's just what Johnny needs!” And, apparently, Johnny got what he needed. Fourteen days before the end of the campaign, Rachel reached her goal amount. “I feel relieved!” she says. “I mean, Johnny's really cool, and I know that, and you know that, but it's a race to let everyone else know and now I can breathe easy knowing that there will be books I can put into people's hands.” The campaign will run until August 31, so interested comic-lovers can still put their dollars towards the project. Incentives include items such as a touched-up edition of the very first issue ($10 12 pledge) or a Special Edition Hardcover package, which includes a screen print of an original Johnny

pledge) or a Special Edition Hardcover package, which includes a screen print of an original Johnny Canuck splash page and a companion issue with photos, interviews, and more ($100 pledge). Big spending retailers can also spring for a full page ad in the single issue comic at a pledge of $1000 or more. Pledges have now passed $25,000, so each Johnny Canuck funder will be thanked in the book; at $30,000, all softcover books will be upgraded to hardcover; and at $35,000, all mail incentives will also include the first issue of Doc Stearn/Mr. Monster. Now that this campaign’s a success, Rachel has no plans to remove herself as Canadian comic book champion. She wishes to see a full archive of Canadian comics to which creators, independent or mainstream, can send their work. She also wants to see more reprints of great comics created after the 40s. Twitter profile photo company “I myself Rachel’s am starting a publishing named for my blog, Comic Syrup Press,” says

Johnny Canuck funder will be personally thanked in the book. At $30,000, all softcover books will be upgraded to hardcover and at $35,000, all mail incentives will also include the first issue of Doc Stearn/Mr. Monster. Now that this campaign’s a success, Rachel has no plans to remove herself as Canadian comic book champion. She wishes to see a full archive of Canadian comics to which creators, independent or mainstream, can send their work. She also wants to see more reprints of great comics created after the 40s. “I myself am starting a publishing company named for my blog, Comic Syrup Press,” says Rachel. “I plan to [publish] several more Golden Age heroes, including Thunderfist, The Wing, The Penguin, and Mr. Monster.” You can find more information or contribute to the Johnny Canuck Kickstarter here. You can also follow Rachel on Twitter or check out her blog.

Issue 7, August 2014

issuu.com/thepulp

Issue 7, August 2014

How to wear:

Bowties

Fashio n 14

Written by Teresa Simmons | Images courtesy of galleryhip.com, esquire.com, and loboandco.wordpress.com

Issue 7, August 2014

Bowties. The elegant and sophisticated bowtie is a style force to be reckoned with. It has taken the place of the usual, hum-drum neck tie. Oozing personality, the bowtie isn’t afraid to put itself out there and stand proud amongst a sea of neckties at a gala or black tie event. Don’t be fooled or misled: the beloved bowtie is completely androgynous. Women can rock the bowtie look just as well as (or better than) any man. All you need is a little attitude to pull it off. For men, the bowtie is best worn with a fitted button-down shirt at weddings, black tie events, and even at work. There’s something about this look that exudes a debonair style and classic taste. Women can also sport the same look with a feminine blouse that has a unique, bright pattern. Mixing a neutral accessory like the bowtie with a lady-like touch is highly recommended. The bowtie is so fantastically uncomplicated. There’s no fuss or muss. With a necktie, you practically need to take a course on how to tie it so that it doesn’t end up looking bunched or bumpy. In this day and age, who knows how to properly tie a tie? And who has the time to make sure it comes out looking nice and smooth? For those who are stumped by neckties and those who simply don’t have the time, you can rest easy with a bowtie and stop stressing about tie techniques. One clip and you’re done. When worn correctly, the bowtie can be as sophisticated as they come. People pay more attention. They stop and stare. It’s admired and appreciated because of its one-of-a-kind, unexpected nature. By wearing a bowtie, you’re making a fashion statement that tells on-lookers you’re not afraid to stand out and look different. You’re not one who wants to blend into the background. You want to be seen. I don’t think that anyone can go wrong with wearing a bowtie. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any outfit that you want to dress up and wear to a more formal event or occasion. The bowtie won’t fail you and your personal style. It will be there whenever you’re ready to make that grand entrance.

Issue 7, August 2014

Variant Edition is something else. The new Edmonton-based comic book recommendation engine is led by Wizard’s Comics whiz and Comics! The Blog co-founder, Brandon Schatz. Comic enthusiasts can check the site for daily recommendations, using tags to hop between other related content on the site. Rather than the tired critique or the negative review, which we see all too often on comic review sites, Variant Edition opts for the challenge of putting forward different comics for public approval. It’s a risk, but the people behind it know what they’re doing—they live in the industry of comic books and they have a damn good chance of knowing what you’ll like. We chatted with Brandon about his goals for the website, his industry background, and his latest recommendations for all you comic book fanatics out there.

Looking for comics? Ask Variant Edition. Comic feature Written by Cheryl Cottrell-Smith | Images courtesy of Variant Edition, Brandon Schatz, Ales Klot, Marvel Studios, and Bryan Lee O'Malley

Issue 7, August 2014

What is Variant Edition? Variant Edition is a comic book recommendation engine designed to help anyone discover comics they are going to love. In the fall, it will also include a local calendar of nerdy events that will be curated by the community.

What's your background with comics?

I’ve been a reader for…wow, over two decades at this point? And I’ve been working at a comic shop going How is it connected to Comics! The on eight years now. Blog? I’ve spent four as Mr. Manager, where I’ve Comics! The Blog is a joint venture I do been trying my best to with my writing partner, James Leask. match people with We created the site because we were their new favourite tired of going around the internet and comics pretty much reading about how upset people were every weekday. In my about comics on blogs and in comment off-time, I write for sections. These were all clearly people Comics! The Blog and who were and are passionate enough Variant Edition, and about the product to read and comment have picked up a gig writing about on it, so why was there only negativity? comic book retail at Comics Beat, which Why did every “I enjoyed this book” have is crazy and humbling. to be followed with a “but”? We decided to create a site dedicated to talking about what we love about comics and, as extension of that, how the industry could be better, using constructive arguments. Variant Edition is definitely in the same vein, but where C!TB skews towards the things WE love, Variant Edition is a place built to discover what YOU’LL love. Basically, I read a lot of comics, boil it down to the essentials with as little editorial commentary as possible, and present it to you as a potential comic of interest. your 17 What's

background comics?

with

cinto the community and helping MORE people get into the medium. For starters, there’s into the community and helping MORE people get into the medium.

For starters, there’s going to be a comic swap happening in the fall where I’ll be on hand giving away a bucket full of Image Firsts to anyone interested. These are dollar versions of a bunch of first issues that Image has published recently, and the cost is nothing when compared to someone catching onto something they’re going to How are you involved in Edmonton’s flip out over.

comic scene? Well, the shop I manage is Wizard’s Comics on 109th, so I do a lot of my comic scene business there. You can also always find me on twitter @soupytoasterson, where I recommend comics. And you can also find me in real life, where I recommend comics to anyone even remotely interested. That said, Variant Edition is really going to be my way of pushing out further

What do you hope to achieve with Variant Edition? Well, the hope is to have a humming and whirring recommendation engine that you can type any kind of search into and pull out some cool comics to read. Genres, creators, television shows, movies…plug in anything, and you’ll be able to find something amazing that you’ll love. Basically, I’m just hoping to get more people into comics. Does that help out my job as a comic store manager? Almost definitely, but that is far and away secondary to the cause, which is why you don’t find mention of where I work at Variant Edition. Really, it’s all about getting people reading, with a bit of community building on the side. Why do you think this site is needed in Edmonton?

into the community

After working in the comic mines for eight

Issue 7, August 2014

Why do you think this site is needed in Edmonton?

But as for me, the first book I read this week was a series called ZERO. It’s a beautiful spy series that features bits of magical realism by Ales Kot. He works with a different artist on each issue, so you get to explore the characters and the comic from every possible angle as you run through different artistic takes. The look of the series remains consistent through the work of colourist Jordie Bellaire and designer Tom Muller. It’s a fantastic series and the first five issues are in a collection for just $10.

After working in the comic mines for eight years, I’ve noticed that the geek community in Edmonton has some pretty weird divisions in it. It’s partially the result of how the comic stores carved up the city like some low stakes version of Game of Thrones and…whelp, I’ve probably said far too much already. The important thing is this: things have happened in the Edmonton nerd community that have fractured the audience and caused people to be fairly negative towards one another for reasons that don’t really apply to loving comics and media. Add to that the seemingly natural predication that we all have to swing negative when we talk about things on the internet and you have something that needs a bit of mending. I’m hoping to do a bit of that with Variant Edition for sure.

Is there anything else you'd like people to know about this website? One of the features we’re going to start running on the site (instead of on my Twitter) is a game where folks give me the names of any three books and/or movies and/or TV shows that they like, and I’ll mash them together into a comic recommendation for them. Basically, there’s a comic book for everyone and every taste. I recommend people try this

by tweeting @VariantEDmonton (keeping in mind that answers and

by tweeting @VariantEDmonton (keeping in mind that answers and Twitter handles will end up on the site).

What are your top recommendations at the moment? I’ll give you the names of a few things I’m personally enjoying right now. If you want something just for you (this goes for everyone!), our Twitter is always open, and I’ll tweet you back as soon as possible with something cool you’ll enjoy and where to find it. But as for me, the first book I read this week was a series called ZERO. It’s a beautiful spy series that features bits of

Otherwise, if you’re looking for something a bit superhero without wanting to deal with too much universe baggage, I suggest Ms. Marvel—a series about a new teen superhero that has really caught the industry by storm. Kamala Khan is a wonderful new character in the tradition of Peter Parker, with a strong voice and sense of self, mixed in with the angst of being a teenager and the fun of punching the crap out of bad guys in New Jersey. The first issue is going into its sixth printing and a collection should be arriving any week now! And one more before I stop (because I can seriously do this forever): SECONDS by Bryan Lee O’Malley. It just came out a few weeks ago and takes everything he learned from making Scott Pilgrim and puts it into a Hayao Miyazaki movie about food and house spirits and growing up. It’s astounding. You can check out the website at varianted.com.

Issue 7, August 2014

One Too Many:

Graffiti Bridge (1990) Graffiti Bridge (1990) Some films sprout fully formed into the culture and are instantly hailed as beloved classics whose reputations only improve over time. This new series isn’t about those films. No; it’s about their bastard, forgotten offspring—the ne’er-do-well products of pure commerce that were forced to exist in a world where they were not wanted. I’m talking about the sequels and remakes that time forgot—the part 2s, IIIs, Lives, and Returns that not only failed to recapture the success of their originators but have actually been lost to time and whose existence is likely to surprise all but those of us who spent our youths’ reading Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide like it was the most compelling novel ever put to paper. To inaugurate this series, we shall begin with a ridiculous musical fantasy that was begat by an only-slightly-less-ridiculous musical fantasy—but one whose excesses were made much more palatable due to the fact that it featured THE GREATEST SOUNDTRACK IN THE HISTORY OF THE CINEMATIC ARTS.

Released in 1984, Purple Rain is a film people love and remember less for its actual plot than the fact that it contains nine of the best songs ever recorded (and that’s not even counting the songs performed by The Time and Apollonia 6). It was the film/album that turned Prince from a critical admired prodigy to a culturally-beloved musical icon. The film’s look helped to define the excesses of 80s fashion and the album (perhaps the best ever example of the term “All killer no filler”) pushed so many boundaries that one track (“Darling Nikki”) directly led to the creation of the infamous record content warning, known as the “Tipper Sticker.” As a film, Purple Rain is many things, none of which could be reasonably considered “good,” but for all of its casual misogyny, unnecessarily dramatic sub-plots and cardboard character motivations, it nonetheless

Written by Allan Mott | Images courtesy of Prince and imdb.com

Issue 7, August 2014

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For the first time, Prince allowed himself to be a part of a group and collaborate with others in the hopes of creating something unique and special and he succeeded.

As a film, Purple Rain is many things, none of which could be reasonably considered “good,” but for all of its casual misogyny, unnecessarily dramatic sub-plots and cardboard character motivations, it nonetheless succeeds because all of this nonsense is fueled by the sounds of “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry,” “Take Me With U,” “I Would Die 4 U,” and the title track—which in the film allows for perhaps the only truly believable example of a climactic scene, where a song’s performance proves so transcendent that it instantly transforms the fortunes of the protagonist. In terms of plot and actual execution, both versions of Purple Rain serve as perfect representations of the idea that the truly talented CAN collaborate without also compromising who they really are. In the film, “The Kid” (Prince’s character is never given an actual name) risks breaking up his band because he refuses to listen to a tape provided to him by Lisa and Wendy, his keyboardist and guitarist (played in the film by Lisa Coleman and Wendy Melvoin, who were in his band, The Revolution, at that time). When circumstances conspire to finally get him to relent and listen to the tape, the result is the performance of “Purple Rain” I rhapsodized about in the previous paragraph. This was not a wholly fictitious construct. Prior to the recording of Purple Rain, Prince was famous for taking responsibility for all aspects of his recordings—writing, producing and performing every instrument. This, his defining album, marked the first time he let other performers play on his record and, most significantly, share song-writing credit. Purple Rain itself succeeds as much as it does because of Wendy’s signature guitar sound, which is unlike anything heard on Prince’s previous albums. For the first time, Prince allowed himself to be a part of a group and collaborate with others in the hopes of creating something unique and special and he succeeded. And what did he learn from this? That he really didn’t like it.

he learn from this? That he really didn’t like it. The problem with collaborating with others when you’re a genius who CAN do it all, is that it’s very difficult to get out of your own head and listen to them when they tell you you’re heading someplace that just doesn’t work or could be better. At a certain point, this just gets really annoying, so you replace those folks with people who don’t do anything but tell you how awesome you are—which is so much less stressful, even if it means your killer to filler ratio starts to suffer in the process. Which is where Prince was six years after Purple Rain came out and made him. By then “The Revolution” were no more and he had proved how indomitable he was by turning his Batman soundtrack album into one of 1989s biggest hits with multiple charting singles, despite the fact that it was mostly terrible in all the ways his music could be when his experimental genius hat was on and he ceased caring about anything other than pleasing himself. This, then, was probably the worst possible time for him to decide to write, direct, and star in a sequel to Purple Rain but, if anyone tried to tell him that, he clearly didn’t listen because, in 1990, Graffiti Bridge was released. And, just like Under the Cherry Moon, his previous attempt at cinematic auteurship, it vanished without a trace. The question is, did it deserve to be so quickly forgotten and dismissed? Probably, but I still kinda like it. But I’m weird. I mean, I love

Xanadu, which is a film Graffiti Bridge has a lot in common with. Both involve supernatural muses, nightclubs and tasteless

Issue 7, August 2014 And it’s okay. Actually, “Still Would Stand All Time” is a very pretty song, but it lacks that special spark of magic found in “Purple Rain.” Both involve supernatural muses, nightclubs and tasteless It’s a perfect example of Prince’s deserved self-confidence displays of fashion only marginally related to the eras in which becoming his biggest weakness. He clearly thought he had did they were created. But the songs in Xanadu are so much better, it again, but Wendy wasn’t there to rip a hair off his chest during which is Graffiti Bridge’s true Achilles’ heel. a moment of self-importance (which she has claimed was a It’s a musical about an artist who insists on producing art that common occurrence in interviews) and let doesn’t sell, which would seem more noble if it wasn’t the product of an artist capable “Still Would Stand All Time” is him know how they could make it even better. And he probably wouldn’t have of producing some of most marketable music a very pretty song, but it lacks listened to her if she had. ever recorded. Whereas Purple Rain was that special spark of magic about how much we can grow if we open In the end, Graffiti Bridge is a colourful, found in “Purple Rain.” ourselves up to the contributions of others, antic, archetypically 90s vanity project Graffiti Bridge is about the importance of (featuring gay panic, shameless stereotypes, and gratuitous staying true to yourself even if it means a pretty girl is going George Clinton) whose central theme is if you try to force Prince to end up getting run over by a truck for no logical reason. to play music he doesn’t want to play, a beautiful angel will die. Throughout the film, The Kid (who still doesn’t have a name Which I suppose could be enough to result in a great movie, despite his now pushing past 30) is criticized for playing music but didn’t this time. Graffiti Bridge (at least for now) marked the that’s too “spiritual”—especially by returning villain, Morris Day, end of Prince’s cinematic ambitions and its failure served as the who has graduated from sleazy narcissistic lead singer of The beginning of a period that saw him battling with his record label Time to sleazy narcissistic impresario who runs the city’s night while he insisted on pursuing his muse to the point that it began life like a mafia don (one who proves his mettle to subordinates to alienate his audience (especially when he used it to get laid by eating hot chilies without wincing). a la Carmen Electra’s solo album). Over and over again, The Kid is shown to be playing songs As a forgotten sequel, the film serves as fair warning to that result in shrugs from his audience and though we get the anyone who thinks they can abandon those who helped them sense that we’re supposed to be going, “What’s the matter with achieve a past success—even if you happen to be one of the those jerks! That music is amazing!” we often find ourselves greatest musical geniuses the world has ever known. shrugging along with them. With the exception of “Round and Round” (performed by Prince discovery and inevitablyabandoned protégé Tevin Campbell) and the ballad “Thieves in the Temple,” all of the songs display the level of technical virtuosity we expect, but in the context of the film (if not the soundtrack album) they just lay there and feel like something we’re meant to endure rather than enjoy. And as this is going on, both Day and The Kid pursue the attention of Aura (Ingrid Chavez, perhaps best known as the cosongwriter of Madonna’s “Justify My Love”), who is literally an angel sent down to live under the titular dwelling to do something that Prince’s script is certainly certain of, but definitely keeps to itself. Chavez is actually quite charming in the role and definitely has an angelic presence, but her character is left to do nothing but recite nonsense Prince evidently believes is poetry and be sacrificed onscreen in the most ridiculous way possible. It’s her death that finally compels Prince to perform “the” song—the one that is supposed to play the same role “Purple Rain” did in the first film. It’s the song that forces Day to see the error of his ways and leave The Kid alone to explore his genius. It’s the song that reminds everyone how great The Kid is and what his future now holds. And it’s okay. Probably, but I still kinda like it. But I’m weird. I mean, I love

Xanadu, which is a film Graffiti Bridge has a lot in common with.

“

Actually, “Still Would Stand All Time” is a very pretty song,

Issue 7, August 2014

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