Comic Books

Last week, the co worker whom I've discussed here loaned me one of her comic books/graphic novels. The first part of the reissued Batman series by Frank Miller. I promised I would read it even though I've never cared for comic books. So this sunday I sat down and read it. The artwork was impressive and Miller has a good sense of plotting and generating some suspence. The material is certainly not geared to little kids. And I enjoyed how the Catwoman subplot was weaved into the story. The comic ends with a resolution of one storyline, but with others unresolved. Very much in keeping with soap opera plotting.

However I just didn't care much for it. Despite the adult themes, I found Batman to be juvenile and simplistic. Despite the plotting, the medium of comic books is still geared toward the simpleminded and comics' popularity amongst those who aged beyond early adolescence is an indication of cultural infantilization. Excessive fantasizing about superheroes who can provide a deus ex machina type resolutions to problems is just sad after a certain age. I like my escapism as well, but I prefer that it would be somewhat grounded in how the world really is. As for this noir version of Batman, I rather read James Ellroy for a more nuanced take on crime and the city.