The Virgin Read: Nobody Told Her That Women Are Supposed To Hate Judd Winick's Comic Books

Green Arrow & Black Canary # 7
Written by Judd Winick
Cover by Cliff Chiang
Art by Mike Norton & Wayne Fauchner
Published by DC Comics

It was a quiet Sunday morning in my apartment, when I sat down to read this comic.  Maybe that’s the time and place I should always read comics.  Because I found Green Arrow and Black Canary to be totally charming.  Is that uncommon or weird?  To find a comic book charming?   But that’s the word that comes to mind.

I mean, first, for me, who just recently read that Batman and Robin in which they completely harangued Green Lantern – I found it interesting to see Mr. Hal Jordan in the role of the smug, self-satisfied superhero.  Whereas the first time I read about him, he seemed ridiculous in comparison to Batman.  This time, with Green Lantern vs Green Arrow in wits, looks and costume?  Green Lantern comes across as cool guy…..and Green Arrow seems a wee bit ridiculous.

Also….as you may know if you read The Virgin Read regularly, I’ve just come off a Battlestar Galactica Spree.  So, although once upon a time aliens, even fake ones, would have turned me off --  now I feel right at home when I see aliens on the first page.

I found this little Green Arrow experience to be a clever one.  I totally enjoyed reading it.  I was completely surprised by it.  Just when you think its about to got where every comic book goes – it surprises you with a threat of old ladies, clown suits, sex acts and video.  That’s gotta be a first.  Yes?

And then all of the sudden, we’re in London.  And so I must let you know that aside from BSG, I’ve been seriously watching the British show MI-5, a.k.a “Spooks.”

So, you know, I know all the tricks now.  All the ways to "spy."  How to use fake names; not be obvious when you’re following someone, etc.  And my training has paid off.  As I was reading this comic, and the dude sat next to the chick at the bar – my “training” kicked it.  I was like, “I don’t know….don’t talk to that guy.  Don’t get distracted.  And don’t be obvious that you’re spying – oh shit.  Busted.  Now, how did he know you were watching them….?? Only one who knows how to spy can, uh, spy a spy.  And --- what?  You recognized them?   Oh you’re done.  I bet he’s –HOLY SHIT!  I knew it!”

And then , it continued to play out MI-5 style.  Because, once they realized he wasn’t doing major harm, they suddenly trusted him as a source for information.  They’re suddenly all equals, drinking coffee, exchanging information. Only thing left to do is to ask him to join forces with you.

Anyhow….I feel like this review will make very little sense to the majority of people who read it.  So, suffice it to say that I found Green Arrow & Black Canary to be totally enjoyable.  And we all know how I generally feel about the costumed folks. 

And dude, I totally watched Real World when Judd Winick was on it.  My pop culture world has come full circle.    I hear that some people don’t like Judd Winick…?  I mean, c’mon, would you rather read Puck's version of comics?

-Nina Miller, 2008

Comments

[darknessatnoon]

Dear Virgin Read,

I have no strong feelings either way about Judd Winnick, just a question about the reading experience. Do you feel that the style of the art contributed to your sense that the comic was charming? Personally, when I see a Cliff Chiang-drawn character, I want to hug them!

[Jamie S. Rich]

Despite what the cover says, this issue was actually drawn by Mike Norton and Wayne Faucher, as listed in the interior credits.

Just, you know, if you wanna be factual.

[Tucker Stone]

That was my mistake, not Ms. Miller's. It's corrected, apologies to Norton & Fauchner.

[wordcore]

Judd Winnick can be a really great writer.

But sometimes he just has awful ideas like killing characters that people like with reckless abandon.

Or bringing ones back to life that have been dead for 20 years that no one else dared to touch.

[darknessatnoon]

"Despite what the cover says, this issue was actually drawn by Mike Norton and Wayne Faucher, as listed in the interior credits."

Oh, and it's still worth reading? Where is Chiang? I shall have to take a look before plunking down my money.

[Kenny]

"I hear that some people don’t like Judd Winick…? I mean, c’mon, would you rather read Puck's version of comics?"

Um...Hell yes? I think Puck's writing would be *way* more entertaining than Winick's!

[Tucker Stone]

DK-
Chiang is gone. He's going to handle covers for a while, but no more will he be handling interiors.

[sleeper]

I love the idea of a column written by a neophyte... someone too new to have her reviews marred by the standard prejudices.

Case in point: admitting that maybe Judd Winick ISN'T the death of all that is good and beautiful in the world.

[Twatslolz]

What inbred tossers run this site?