Finally, a relaxing weekend! Well, a little at least. Steven and I did see Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which we both enjoyed, though our interpretations of the ending differ greatly. I began reading The Invisibles and just finished Spooked. And I relaxed and got a full night’s sleep for more than one night, which is the best news of all.
Steven had said earlier that as a 12-year old he would have preferred Animal Man to a straight-up power fantasy, but since we lack the time travel technology to test this assertion, we lent the trades to my 12-year-old brother. He really enjoyed them and says he sympathized with Animal Man. The stories featuring Bwana Beast were favorites. The ending of the series, however, was too “cliched” for his tastes. I couldn’t tease out exactly what he meant by that, but it may be related to the fact that he’s been writing stories for several years now in which he, as author, interacts with his characters, so maybe it’s child’s play. Or maybe it seemed like just another “and it was all a dream!” baby-meta ending. At any rate, apparently Animal Man is more serious and compelling than the Essential X-Men volumes he’s read, but not nearly as funny as Young Justice. I’m not sure what this proves except that every time I lend or give him comics I end up with him demanding more and checking in with me whenever he sees me just in case I’ve unearthed another appropriate text. And that he’s going to be really thrilled when he finds out there’s a Bill & Ted comic! Wow!
Laura Gjovaag says:
Funny, I have the same “problem” with my little sister. Except she’s in her 20s.
I do find that she has much more “general” tastes than I do, so if she likes something I don’t hesitate to loan it to other people.
— 23 March 2004 at 4:04 am (Permalink)
David Fiore says:
I envy you guys–in my entire career as a big brother, I’ve succeeded exactly once in pleasing one of my younger siblings with an item I’ve suggested to them… For some reason my brother Matt (who is now 21) found Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House unbelievably funny back in 1990… It was a thrill I may never experience again!
I do recall trying to get my sister Lisa (who turns 28 this year) to read Morrison’s Animal Man series when they were new… I also recall the laughter that suggestion occasioned!
Dave
— 23 March 2004 at 5:46 am (Permalink)
David Fiore says:
oh yeah–
I’m looking forward to hearing both sides of the great Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Debate!
Bring it on!
Dave
— 23 March 2004 at 5:48 am (Permalink)
Steven says:
I’ve never even tried to lend any comics to my sisters… I have got my mom reading lots of comics, though! Although no superheroes.
— 23 March 2004 at 7:13 am (Permalink)
Rose says:
Well, my youngest brother likes comics best. I don’t think he’s disliked anything I’ve given him, though no one will ever win his heart away from Pam Bliss. But I , as the oldest child, have tried hard to guide my brothers to expand their artistic horizons in ways they’ll like. I’m perhaps most proud that my supercool metrosexual football start brother, now 18, read all of The Cryptonomicon last year, which is no small feat. But I like being able to talk comics with my youngest brother, too. The fact that he’s liked everything from Persepolis to Cynicalman seems like a good sign.
Dave, what did the last lines of dialogue mean to you (and Christine)? We both realize there are ambiguities as to what it means about any future for the relationship, but we have drastically different readings of which direction is implied.
— 23 March 2004 at 4:09 pm (Permalink)