Graffic Traffic

by Ryk McIntyre
illustration by Opie

Welcome to the new 1995 Graffic Traffic (formerly Heroes Jargon). I’m your host, Ryk. Call me Dotty and you die (in-joke). Not much time this column for the tedious erratum of “Statements of Intent,” or “Why My Opinions Are Best” rationales (I’ll get to those later). Why, I’m not even going to make fun of Image Comics. This time. No, let’s just hop to two recommendations, one for regular interest and the other a bit more specialized.

For those wanting a good, solid superheroic action comic, I must (and often do) recommend Batman Adventures (DC Comics). Not only is this a great book on a monthly basis (and only $1.50 per regular issue, $2.95 for the annuals and specials), but I believe it is flat-out THE BEST BATMAN BOOK BEING DONE. The stories are concise, entertaining, completely free of the long, dragging, maudlin, and almost-nothing-to-do-with-detective-work drek that mark Batman, Detective, Shadow of the Bat, and Legends of the Dark Knight. The book’s premise is simple: A good unpretentious story, combined with art that is minimalist and elegant. Moreover, the story lines (most of which only take a single issue to unfold) can entertain anyone from beginning readers on up. A good example is the 1994 Annual (story by Paul Dini; art by various artists), in which we get a few short tales of criminals Batman has repeatedly put away and their attempts at reform or revenge. Good story, good art, and Batman, Robin and Alfred are always there when we return to the mansion. Nice.

For more experimental tastes (and anyone who likes/loves Dinosaurs) there is Steve Bissette’s Tyrant (SpiderBaby Graphix). Set in the (for five points now… NO! Not JURASSIC!) Cretaceous period, it gives an up-to-your-neck-in-flies-and-filth look at life and times in that era, incorporating as many actual flora and fauna as have been identified by paleontologists to date, and all through the plot device of the prebirth of the Tyrant, a Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Told in a continuous story-arc, Tyrant promises to show us the birth, the death-race through young dinohood, the full maturing of the greatest land predator EVER, and, I imagine, his eventual death. Buy that for $2.95, would you? But wait… there’s more. Each issue also contains ‘Rant, a generous letters page, My Rant, which is Steve’s speak-piece about the assembly of the project as well as help/criticism by the paleontology crowd, and last of all, the Tyrant Media Guide, ’cause there are many movies, cartoons, comics, etc., out there for those who have further interest. Comics are supposed to be this good.

That’s all for now. Both these books can or should be found in your local comic store. And remember ’til next time: Most critics don’t love you. But I love you…