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12.1.99
sixteen.a
Silly Student
Unlike Trix, comic books aren't just for kids
Above: Black Bolt is a character in Inhumans, a 12-issue series by Jenkins and Lee. The series, which recently concluded, tells the story of a group of people who inhabit an island that is attacked by the suspicious government. TM Copyright Marvel Character, Inc.
Below; Brandon Botbyl, Lawrence freshman has been collecting comic books since he was in 4th grade. Botbyl also buys original art from comic book artists. Photo by Lucas Krump/KANSAN
Below right: Hellboy, a comic by Mike Mignola, mixes humor with European mythology. TM Copyright Dark Horse Comics, Inc.
By Seth Jones
courses.
ane Eyre. Hamlet. Moby Dick. The X-Men?
But between those hours of reading books on biology or accounting, some students grab comic books for a literary change of pace.
of lit.
In the time it takes students to graduate from college, they spend countless hours reading a variety of classics and major-specific texts.
Brandon Botyl, Lawrence freshman, has been reading comic books since he was in the fourth grade.
"I still read comic books mainly because I love the medium," he said. "It's almost an addiction really."
Botbyl said that many people mistook comic books as a medium that was meant for children only.
With a schedule that includes Spanish and psychology, Botyl still finds time for his hobby. He reads such titles as Hitman, Preacher, Daredevil, The Inhumans and Tom Strong. He read 10 titles regularly and spends between $25 to $30 a month on comic books.
Jason McNulty has owned Gold Mine Comics, 2449 Iowa St., for four years. He said Lawrence was an ideal place for his shop because of the endless supply of college students.
"It's a medium many people enjoy," he said. "Companies know that a large part of their audience isn't kids, a lot of the stuff isn't even targeted to kids anymore."
"I'd say that of my customers who are buying comic books, 95 percent of them are between the ages of 18 and 25." he said.
Shawn Ervin-Gore, media representative for Dark Horse Comics, said that many of the company's readers were either in college or had a college education.
Facts From Sarajevo is one example of a comic that is used in college
courses.
Facts From Sarai
"A number of our readers begin reading comics while in college," she said. "A number of comic books are even used in college courses."
Facts From Sarajevo, by Joe Kubert, is a documentary-style comic that tells the story of the author's correspondence with a friend who was trapped in Sarajevo.
Bad Rat by Brian Talbot also has found its way onto college course syllabi. It tells the story of a teenage runaway trying to deal with sexual abuse.
"It's a story of a person trying to build a new life for themselves," Ervin-Gore said. "It's really different from what you get with the average super hero comic book."
Carl Strikwerda, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a professor of history said that colleagues had suggested that he look at Maus, A Survivor's Tale. The graphic comic, by Art Spiegelman, is a story about the Holocaust. But Strikwerda said that he'd never seriously considered using a comic book as required reading for a class.
"There are a lot of comics about web-slingers and galactic goo," he said. "But there are some very serious books out there as well."
"I have a problem using fiction in a history course," he said. "Even as sophisticated as Maus is, I still wouldn't use it. A book like that would be more acceptable for a class on the portrayal of the Holocaust."
Even comic books that are read strictly for entertainment deal with weighty topics. John Rockhold, Lawrence senior, said that some super hero comic book writers delved beyond the obvious comic book story.
Rockhold used The X-Men as an example.
Rockhold, an English major, said that he could now appreciate comic books on a different level than when he was a kid.
"When Chris Claremont wrote The X-Men, he focused on the conflict between mutants and humans, and it really hit on humanity's conflict with racism," he said. "He used a comic book to show how much alike everyone is, even with distinct differences."
"Comics, for me, have gone from being pure fun to another valid form
erature," he said.
Joanna Davis, Wichita sophomore, reads comic books such as *Preacher*, The X-Men, Stray Bullets and Optic Nerve. An English major, she said that comic books were underrated.
"Some graphic novels are as good as novels," she said. "The only reason people don't give them a chance is because comic books have illustrations."
Davis said that Preacher offered writing that was comparable to a complex movie script.
"The writing is comparable to some of the best writing I've ever seen," she said.
Nate Stange, Wichita junior, has read comics since he was 19 years old.
"Iused to collect baseball cards," he said. "But then one day I realized I was buying a piece of cardboard with a picture on it and numbers on the back that I didn't understand."
Stange went from reading G.I. Joe and Transformers comics to some of the more story-driven comic books.
"There are some childish comic books out there, but there are also very intelligent comic books," he said. "There are some creators who are really pushing the envelope, with art and storytelling."
While Stange lived in Wichita, he worked at a comic book store.
"Comic book readers really run the range of all types of people," he said. "At the store I worked at, we had lawyers, a widely-respected surgeon, psychologists. We also had the other end of the spectrum of people."
MONKEY
Stange said that he not only enjoyed comic books, but that one day he'd like to write them as well.
For now, comic book readers are hoping they can go on reading their comics without being labeled.
"It if were possible, I'd major in comic books," he said. "Whenever I get a chance to incorporate a comic book topic into one of my papers, I do it."
"It's ridiculous to say that people our age who read comic books are all dorks," Rockhold said. "Just like it's ridiculous to say everyone who listens to Metallica worships the devil. With as broad of a popularity as comic books have, you can't argue that all readers are of the same nature. It's just like anything else, the stereotype is not the rule."
WE GOT A GUN!
Comic Book Suggestions
"I'd suggest Ball and Chain. Anyone who has ever dated would appreciate it. It's about a man and a woman who are going through a divorce. While they're in the middle of their split, they get super powers. But they only work while the two are together. There is constant bickering between the two characters. The banter is well-written and hilarious."
Jason McNulty, owner, Gold Mine Comics
Shawna Ervin-Gore, media representative, Dark Horse Comics
`Anything from Hellboy` — it’s far more intelligent than anyone gives it
credit. The series is based on a lot of European mythology. It's very literate, exciting and funny."
John Rockhold, Lawrence senior
"Sandman and anything by Neil Gaiman. He's an incredible talent. The comic itself was a serious accomplishment. It deals with topics that super hero comics don't touch. It's about the Lord of Dreams, and has a very surreal atmosphere."
Brandon Bohby, Lawrence freshman
"For college students, I'd suggest anything from Kevin Smith, like the Clerks comic book. It just seems that the college crowd really appreciates him."
Nate Stance, Wichita junior
"Optic Nerve by Adriane Tomine. It's
well done, appeals to both men and women, and is very intelligent. The stories aren't interconnected, has everything from slice of life stories to autobiographical stuff."
Last Comic Read?
Vince Duet, Chicago sophomore "I was in 7th grade, and I read the comic that Superman died in."
Brandon Gainey, Lexington, Ky., sophomore "I honestly have never read a comic book."
Nathan Chang, Olathe sophomore "The Infinity Wars, I was in 8th grade."
Kevin Gillian, St. Louis sophomore "I think I was in 4th grade, and think it was a Spider Man comic."
think it was a opener here...
Heinz Kattenfeld, Manitoba graduate student
ate student
"It was either the X-Men or Coran,
and I was a freshman in college."
Comic Book Store locations
Comic Market 938 Massachusetts St.
Gold Mine Comics 2449 Iowa St.
Kwality Comics
1111 Massachusetts St.
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