I think we're starting to enter a second 80s revival in comics.The first 80s revival manifested mainly in the proliferation of comics based on 80s comics that were based on toy properties: G.I. Joe, Transformers, Thundercats, Micronauts, etc. That seems to have pretty much run its course, although a couple of those properties are still hanging on.
This second 80s revival is rooted in some of the better, more creative works from that decade. We're seeing the emergence of new comics for Grimjack; Jon Sable, Freelance and Concrete; Frank Miller on Batman; a deluxe hardcover edition of Watchmen; even the dim hope that we'll finally see Miracleman again before the year is out.
(Of course, we're also seeing a new Crisis and a new Secret War...)
I think that this latest revival is better than the first--and I for one am thrilled to be getting new Grimjack and Concrete--but it's still a movement largely based on nostalgia. Now nostalgia has always been a huge motivator in comics, but it's also fickle and a moving target. This too shall pass, and then it's on to the next thing (nostalgia for early 90s Image-style? Shudder!)
Not much of a point to be made here, I guess; just an observation. What do you think?
1 comment:
While I can see why you would say that, I don't agree it's "largely" nostalgic.... Hmm, perhaps there is no need to quibble on the amount of nostalgia involved. I believe for the books that you mentioned, if you want to say the impetus is nostalgia for wanting to read quality books, then ok, that's fine.... Thinking about it, there is a bit of nostalgia that exists when desiring to read quality writing.... A person who reads many of the works of an author (my example is Kurt Vonnegut) is operating in the realm of nostalgia-- you remember how much you enjoyed the author's last book. So, one can say that nostalgia is nearly always involved, somehow.
Or maybe not. But it was nice to think about.
Post a Comment