Here’s an interesting follow up to Lew Stringer’s 1986 Neil Gaiman newspaper article on comics and the then-new Watchmen series I mentioned the other day; its inspired Neil to seek out another 1986 article from his journalistic career where he wrote an article for London’s Time Out magazine and post it up on his journal. Sadly they commissioned a Dave Gibbons cover but went with a rather duller photo cover instead (imagine turning down a Gibbons cover…). Interestingly Neil remarks that the next piece to follow that was a large piece on comics for the Sunday Times which the editor rejected because it wasn’t ‘balanced’ (because he infered these comics things were good).
I’m assuming this flurry of interest from the mainstream print media was a part of that sudden surge of interest in all things comics that appeared back then, but wasn’t really sustained, unlike the current high level of interest which I’m glad to say does seem to be carrying on and, if anything, getting stronger (helped by the fact that this time round there are a lot more quality comics and graphic novels around for people to try after they’ve read the Big Name Book everyone was talking about, they’re more available in mainstream bookstores as well as comics shops and the movie/games/web increasing convergence raises the profile).
Update: Neil has now found his article/interview with Alan Moore from Knave magazine from 1986 and posted it up. My gods, Mr Stringer, do you see what you’ve started now?? I’ve got a bit of an 80s nostalgia kick starting off now, I have a sudden urge for some 80s style and music – hmmm, bung on the DVD of Breakfast Club or Subway?
Wed, Feb 25, 2009
Comics and cartoons