The Virgin Read: Her Live-Blog Version of Seaguy Involves Using The Symbol Keyboard

Seaguy: Slaves of Mickey Eye # 1
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Cameron Stewart
Published by Vertigo/DC Comics

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"Da fug?"

I have no idea what I just read. I don’t think, though, that I’m supposed to. Sort of reminds me of H.R. Pufnstuf. Anyone remember that show? It was shown on Saturday mornings when I was a kid, and I vaguely remember it from that time period. But when I was a teenager there was a time when they were showing it after school. And it was then that I realized it was a totally trippy show. I mean, trippy is definitely entertaining….but it did occur to me that this show may have “spoken” to and older demographic than that of the Saturday morning crowd who were on a “different level” beyond us mere children.

So, yeah, Seaguy. SEAGUY. ½-an-animal on a stick, a codependent parrot, Seaguy dressed in scuba gear but never going in or near the water, a bearded lady and her antagonistic relationship to this old skipper guy, an amusement park where “everyone” hangs out that is full of eyeballs, a smart guy with a huge head to contain huge brains with a rainbow protruding from it and his commentary on what is truth and what is real. And then….it all comes full circle? Seaguy is fed the ½-an-animal-on-a-stick and…goes insane? Or has this whole thing, the whole issue been a product of his dementia? What the hell is going on?!?!?

Seriously. I don’t know what to say. Um…..I liked the art? That was cool. Loved how Chubby the Tuna looks like he was drawn in 1963 for a separate comic book all together.

I’m guessing this is all somewhow a commentary on superheroes and our culture. But, honestly, I can’t really figure out what that commentary is supposed to be saying. And although the comic exhibits an enjoyable cleverness….I don’t really care to spend the time figuring it out. I mean, I’ve got a lot to do. Top of the list right now? Sleep. See. I’ve got a lot of sleeping to do. And I can’t waste that precious time trying to derive meaning out of this book. I'm sorry, but that's what it feels like I would be doing. Wasting time. I’m sure someone else, someone smarter than me, will do that just fine. I'm even thinking that's part of what the attraction is here--that it's the comic, sure, the comic is fine. But that the joy here must be in the figuring out. That's not really my bag. For now – I’m out.

-Nina Stone, 2009

Comments

[LurkerWithout]

It can be best to avoid sleeping right after ingesting some of Morrison's trippier work. I once crashed out after a marathon reading four or five of The Invisibles trades. Seriously messed up dreams that night...

[Tijmen]

That's because of all the embedded sigils.

[David Uzumeri]

I always wondered what it'd be like to be unable to experience wonder, amazement or joy, and if such a person existed. Now I know. I feel nothing but pity and sadness.

[seth hurley]

Just think of all the medical costs you save by not breaking your arm patting yourself on the back for "getting it".

Sleep is where it's at.

[Pete Mortensen]

It would probably help immensely to read the first volume of the series before tackling Slaves of Mickey Eye. That said, you might find that incoherent, too -- a lot of people did... I love it but certainly understand why others wouldn't.

[NINA]

Hi there. This one's for David. Assuming that your comment is directed at me. Sorry to not respond immediately, but I've been at Funeral all day. Oh no, no. Keep your pity and sadness all to yourself. I've had enough sadness today.

And, hey,you've crystalized my whole character in your snap and ill-formed judgment - as a person who makes a living playing with, entertaining and singing to one and two year olds all day, you're right. I know nothing of wonder, amazement or joy. God forbid I say honestly that i didn't get something, but still found it enjoyably clever.

Know what, David? FUCK YOU. Find the wonder in that statement. I feel sadness and pity for someone who needs to use message boards for their passive-agressive sarcasm. In typical nerd fashion you seemed to have taken personally my un-review of something that has NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU. And feel the need to lash back as if I stabbed your parents. Get a life.

[sad tortoise]

Know what, David? FUCK YOU

That's all well and good, but maybe you should've started reading the beginning of the story instead of in the middle. But hey, what do I know!

[NINA]

"But hey, what do I know!" Apparently not much when it comes to what this column, The Virgin Read, is about.

Once again, the Virgin Read is: A non-comcic book reader, female, mid-thirties, reads a comic book once a week and gives her take on it.

I don't do it to offend you. I don't do it make you uncomfortable. In fact, it's not about you at all. I do it as a favor. For my husband. And as an experiment to see if the comic book industry appeals to a different demographic, at all. End of story.

Those of you who take it personally, and so get defensive and feel the need to attack me, personally? SUCK IT.

[Jim Kingman]

Uhhh, I was going to state, "To sleep, perchance to dream of Seaguy, perchance to contemplate Seaguy," being kind of cute and sarcastic on a combined level, but the last few posts have scared the hell out of me, so y'all just have a nice day.

[Matthew J. Brady]

Oh, man, I would have hoped David was trying to be humorous and not condescending, but it's hard to tell. He's not just some random passer-by though; he one of Tucker's compatriots over at The Savage Critics. I hope we can give him the benefit of the doubt.

Still, I think you make some good points here, Nina (as usual). I love Seaguy, and I really dug this issue, but for somebody who might not be that familiar with comics and Grant Morrison, it's not necessarily impenetrable, but at least probably confusing. You seemed to marvel at the weird goofiness of everything, but just didn't feel like trying to kick your brain into the extra gear of trying to unpack it and figure it out. And that's okay! I've been there. So yeah, screw the people that get upset and take it personally when you dare to express an opinion or observation.

But really, I bet Tucker can patch things up between you and David. He seems like a decent guy, and I bet he doesn't want to be on your bad side. I know I wouldn't.

[sad tortoise]

"Once again, the Virgin Read is: A non-comcic book reader, female, mid-thirties, reads a comic book once a week and gives her take on it."

Right, but you decided to read this one in the middle of the story. And then you complained that it didn't make much sense. Do you also read novels starting from Chapter Ten?

[David Uzumeri]

I... I was being completely tongue in cheek in every possible way, and meant absolutely nothing even remotely approaching any kind of personal offense. It's just a comic book I liked, I was being incredibly hyperbolic and I didn't think there was any way anyone could take my statement seriously. I sincerely apologize.

[David Uzumeri]

And I respect, blog and correspond with Tucker - why would I be so fucking crazy and stupid as to insult his wife?

[David Uzumeri]

And to everyone else, picking up a book midstream and throwing out thoughts on it is sort of what Nina Stone and the Virgin Read *do*. This is hardly a huge aberration. I'm a big, huge, epic Morrison fan, but the defensiveness over him is getting fucking ridiculous.

[sad tortoise]

"I sincerely apologize."

Why bother? You made a joke, someone else went apeshit. They're the one with issues.

[NINA]

Turtle: I've read plenty of comic books that are in the midst of long series and have been able to make sense of them. Seaguy is clearly not a linear story. And, by the way, who said I was complaining? I enjoyed reading all it's weirdness. I love the art. I simply said that I'm sure there's more to it than i was able to grasp. So what?

David - I'm sorry to misread your tone and to lash out. I usually have much more restraint. I received some unrelated intense and harsh judgment over the passed week and have been on the defensive ever since. My sincerest apologies to you as well.

Matt - Thank you!

[David Uzumeri]

Nina, I know how it goes - I hope you're as well as can be given the circumstances and I can assure you, no hard feelings.

[Kenny]

I've had my dust ups with the Funnybook Babylon guys, but I can say they're decent guys. David as always struck me as someone who's a perfectly nice guy.

Now, I am just a random passer-by!

As for the comic, I feel the same way you do, Nina. There's a lot there for people who enjoy unpacking all the layers Morrison writes. I'm not one of them, so I tend to avoid Morrison's work. I did like the first volume of Seaguy, though. I thought it was fun!

[AERose]

Never a good sign when the comment thread gets more complicated than the book. Especially when the book is by Grant Morrison.

[LurkerWithout]

"Do you also read novels starting from Chapter Ten?"

If she wrote a blog about reading semi-random novels at random points I'm betting she would. So mr. sad tortoise maybe you can go demand to know why her husband uses one of his columns to recap The Economist instead of TV Guide...

Nina, have you tried any of Morrison's other books? Something from his Batman run or the 90s JLA run? I haven't tried either volume of Seaguy, but I'm generally about 50/50 with Morrison of late...

[plok]

It actually hadn't occurred to me to wonder about Seaguy 2's penetrability, I've been waiting for it for so long, I've re-read Seaguy 1 so many times...but I think you're right, it's much more obscure than its predecessor.

Still, if you're liking the art, you're liking the most important thing.

[Tucker Stone]

Virgin Read, blowing up like Pan Am flight 103, huh? I should bail on the internet more often. Anyways, this seems to be done, and I'm glad everybody has apologized and made nice. But who plans to help me clean up the blood? The blood & the sick?

[Duncan]

Whilst personally pathetically in the thrall of G-Mo, I think it is not at all unreasonable to pick up a singular piece of entertainment (in particular a comic marked #1, with no intimation of a prior series that one has to have read) and expect that that be accessible, entertaining, etc, etc.

I'd have liked to imagine this comic was - perhaps it is, to some people!