Frank Miller v/s Al Queda

[Nate C.]

A while back, I started a thread (since deleted in one of the many core dumps) asking the question, "Where are the Cap v/s Hitler comics post 9/11?".

Evidently, Miller heard my cry.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060214/ts_alt_afp/afplifestyleusattacks;_ylt=AqJxAQof2BvwJUL5Mwtot3o DW7oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[Charles RB]

It's going to suck. Nothing that's meant to be serious but has the title "Holy Terror, Batman!" can not suck.

[meethraa]

It will be beautiful and fun and smart and good.

In other words, it will be universally hated.

[Charles RB]

It will be beautiful and fun and smart and good.

Bet you a fiver it won't be.

[PatrickG]

"These are our folk heroes," he added. "It just seems silly to chase around the Riddler when you've got Al-Qaeda out there."

Obviously, Frank Miller is not aware that the Riddler has a scheme to teach people how to bilk money out of the federal government on late night TV.

http://www.blacktable.com/images/0509pics/lesko/leskobig.jpg

[Ronald Bryan]

It will be beautiful and fun and smart and good.

In other words, it will be universally hated.
And everyone will take it WAY too seriously.

[Cotton]

Al Queda is a hated group of Islam Extremists that targets civilians. It's about time a throwback to the World War II era comic propaganda was written. I ain't gonna be too quick to judge, it may suck, or it may not. But it's by Frank Miller so I'd give it a shot.

[Charles RB]

It's about time a throwback to the World War II era comic propaganda was written.

Since those comics were completely inane, no it's not.

[Cotton]

Since those comics were completely inane, no it's not.

They were FUNNY because of that cheesiness, Jeez, talk about looking at the glass half-full...

That's why I like the RPGs Fallout and Fallout 2 so much...

[Charles RB]

They were FUNNY because of that cheesiness

And the fact the artists apparently didn't know what the Japanese looked like.

[Adam Crocker]

And the fact the artists apparently didn't know what the Japanese looked like.

Yeah, but at least they didn't botch it as badly as they did the faces of black characters.

[StoneGold]

We did a couple minutes of this on the podcast.

[Cotton]

And the fact the artists apparently didn't know what the Japanese looked like.

And isn't that hilarious?

[Paul McEnery]

And isn't that hilarious?
For those people in Arkansas who've never met any Asian people...

nah, even then, no.

[Paul McEnery]

A while back, I started a thread (since deleted in one of the many core dumps) asking the question, "Where are the Cap v/s Hitler comics post 9/11?".

Evidently, Miller heard my cry.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060214/ts_alt_afp/afplifestyleusattacks;_ylt=AqJxAQof2BvwJUL5Mwtot3o DW7oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl
You're forgetting Cap vs. the Secret Empire.

And Cap vs. Roxxon.

[Cotton]

For those people in Arkansas who've never met any Asian people...

nah, even then, no.

I found it hilarious...

Hilarious that those drawings use to be the norm of what people thought of Asians.

[dougputhoff]

'bout stinking time comics took on the War on Terror.

Next I want Batman fighting Hilary Clinton and all the college commies.

[Wesley Dodds]

You're forgetting Cap vs. the Secret Empire.

And Cap vs. Roxxon.

Cap fought Roxxon?

I'm convinced that the Brand Corporation is supposed to be a fill-in for the Rand Corporation. I've thought so ever since I heard Doctor Strangelove talk about a study by the Bland Corporation.

Fucking nuke-justifying, supervillain-creating schmucks.

[Winslow]

I liked the way the issue of fighting Terrorists was/is handled in Queen and Country.

I'm not so sure a superhero comic has "the goods" to address this very well . . .

Maybe I'll just leave it at that.

[Paul McEnery]

Cap fought Roxxon?

I'm convinced that the Brand Corporation is supposed to be a fill-in for the Rand Corporation. I've thought so ever since I heard Doctor Strangelove talk about a study by the Bland Corporation.

Fucking nuke-justifying, supervillain-creating schmucks.
Technically, that would be the Nomad, but yes.

Of course, the oil corporation wasn't reeeeally evil, it was, er, the Serpent Crown making them do it, that's the ticket.

[Slam_Bradley]

And the fact the artists apparently didn't know what the Japanese looked like.


It was characature for propaganda purposes. Get a grip.

[Gaz]

It was characature for propaganda purposes. Get a grip.
Right. So the ridiculous cartoons of Jews that the Nazis used at that time are also OK?

Not to mention the fact that it didn't stop after the war.

[Slam_Bradley]

Right. So the ridiculous cartoons of Jews that the Nazis used at that time are also OK?


I'm not aware that I implied that they were ok.

The point was that Charles made an assertion that the artists couldn't draw Japanese people. That's a bit like saying that Picasso can't draw humans because some of his people had three eyes. (and no, I'm not implying that GA comic artists were Picassos) The "Japs" were drawn that way for a reason. To imply a failing on the part of the artist is absurd.

As to whether it was "OK." I don't judge the past by today's standards. I find these things to be very interesting and very informative of the society at the time.

[Gaz]

I'm not aware that I implied that they were ok.

The point was that Charles made an assertion that the artists couldn't draw Japanese people. That's a bit like saying that Picasso can't draw humans because some of his people had three eyes. (and no, I'm not implying that GA comic artists were Picassos) The "Japs" were drawn that way for a reason. To imply a failing on the part of the artist is absurd.

As to whether it was "OK." I don't judge the past by today's standards. I find these things to be very interesting and very informative of the society at the time.
And how sad will it be if this project amounts to pretty much the same thing? Batman punches men in turbans and beards for 100 pages... yay. :|

[Slam_Bradley]

And how sad will it be if this project amounts to pretty much the same thing? Batman punches men in turbans and beards for 100 pages... yay. :|


Yes. How terrible that someone has the freedom to produce something that you disagree with.

[Adam Crocker]

Yes. How terrible that someone has the freedom to produce something that you disagree with.

Slam, Gaz didn't say anything about putting restrictions on Millar's freedom of expression. He merely expressed disappointment if this project would turn out like anti-Japanese propaganda circa WWII.

[Gaz]

Slam, Gaz didn't say anything about putting restrictions on Millar's freedom of expression. He merely expressed disappointment if this project would turn out like anti-Japanese propaganda circa WWII.
Exactly. He can write and draw whatever he wants. I'd like it if he'd make an effort to be subtle and balanced, but if not, I'm not likely to be buying it anyhow, so, big whoop.

[Adam Crocker]

Well Newsarama has part one of a Frank Miller interview (http://www.newsarama.com/general/Miller/MillerPart1.htm) up where he goes into detail on Holy Terror, Batman!, namely what motivated it and what he hopes to accomplish with it. Figured I might as well post it here, though I'll comment later as I have some writing to do.

[Dan Apodaca]

Yeah, Frank Miller is the best guy to handle a situation involving the deaths of thousands of real people.

[Hellcow]

I used to hold Miller with the highest respect.

It started to crumble a little with DK2.

But now he wants to be a propaganda TOOL and drag Batman along for the ride.

I can respect and artist, but not a TOOL.

Please Frank, wake up and trash your work before its too late.