B.P.R.D. War on Frogs # 1
Written by John Arcudi
Art by Herb Trimpe & Guy Davis
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Okay. This week's comic sort of "fails" the Virgin experiment. If you've only recently started reading TFO and/or "The Virgin Read," and don't really know what the "Virgin Experiment" is, I shall explain briefly.
A Query: Can a non-comic-book-reader* enjoy** any comic book*** that they may pick off the shelf during any given week?
*non-comic-book-reader: In this case the reader is a Caucasian female in her mid-to-late
thirties. She had never before read comic books.
*enjoy: Understand; follow the story; like the art; grasp the
entire arc; and/or like it enough that she may want to read the next
issue and/or pick up some other comic book someday to read and/or enjoy. Circular.
*any comic book: superhero, non-superhero, indie, Manga; zombie, classic, done-in-one, event series, etc.
This week, I picked up B.P.R.D. Mainly because it's a
"done-in-one" and I thought I may be more likely to enjoy this issue
than if I picked it up in the middle of an arc.
So, here's the thing. Its not that I didn't enjoy it. It was fine. But this was truly a case where even though the whole story is encapsulated in this one issue, I did not have a full grasp of what was going on.
I mean, I "got it." But I didn't have any strong feelings about it. This is what I mean in terms of failing the experiment. I start reading this story and I have to first assume that this guy inside the B.P.R.D headquarters is a normal guy – even though he looks like an alien. Any question as to who he is, or what he's doing there or how he got to look like that are not answered. And that's fine. It doesn't have to be answered. The only thing I did learn for sure is that he did not want to go "out in the field" again. Must have had some rough times. Haven't we all?
I also had to just believe in the "frog" issue. I don't know what's going on with this "Frog War," or how it came to pass that there are huge frogs out there. But there are. I mean, I see how this is trying to shed light on the beginning of the frogs. And that these two former human men were once frogs….but the thing is, that the relevance and importance of this was lost on me. The name Cavendish doesn't mean anything to me. I'm assuming it means something to those who usually read it.
And, so as this fight takes place. It's, like, just a fight. And, although I have no real strong feeling either way, I'm on the side of the Iron-man-looking guy, but not because I know who he is or like him. I just assume that he needs to win.
I can go on and on like this. Illustrating to you how there was no import to any of this for me, because I have no idea how these characters are connected to the overall story…nor what anyone's overarcing objectives really are. There's nothing really in it for me.
So, therefore the answer to the above hypothesis, this week, is "No."
But folks, this is not to say it's a "bad" comic. Or that this is even truly a review. This is simply an experience being logged.
Which brings me back to American Splendor.
That was another comic that did not have good results from the experiment. But I did, in fact, watch the movie this past weekend. And I now have a huge, soft, gushy place in my heart for Harvey Pekar. Seriously. And I get what you all were saying. Though, I meant no disrespect in my "review." Again, it was simply my take on a comic I've never read before.
But upon watching this movie, I began to feel like I had no excuse
for not knowing about Harvey Pekar and American Splendor. I probably
watched him on Letterman. His wife, Joyce, and I are FROM THE SAME
HOME TOWN. For the love of Pete! I haven't gotten so excited about
hearing "Delaware" in a movie since Wayne's World.
Anyhow….i get it, now, how he was the first one to do this sort of comic book about the daily grind, the everyman. It is one of those things that happens all the time (although I can't think of a great example right now, so I'll just have to spell it out). Its like, my every day pop-culture experiences have clearly been heavily influenced by American Splendor. I mean, if you think about it, Seinfeld's sitcom "about nothing" probably wouldn't have happened if American Splendor didn't happen first. And yet, I've walked around in complete ignorance.
So, although my reading of American Splendor was, as of last week,
a "failure;" it has reversed this week – just look at the second asterisk above. Although I didn't think I was going to read a second
comic….I was intrigued enough to watch the movie and be moved by Harvey
and Joyce – enough to want to learn a little more. So, for the first
time, folks, we have a Virgin Reversal. (Ew?)
-Nina Stone, 2008
Hey, Nina, glad to see you watched the American Splendor movie. It's an excellent film by itself, and it really gives you an appreciation for who Harvey Pekar is and why his comics are worth reading, doesn't it? Good times. I need to watch it again sometime.
Posted by: Matthew J. Brady | 2008.06.20 at 01:19