The Big Four Takeover

They say behind every great comic geek, is a great comic geek-woman. This week, The Big Two get boob-rushed out of their column by their significant (-ly awesome) others, Venus and Miss Teen USSR, aka The Big Four. Like their dudes, they love comics, talking about comics and answering questions about comics. Unlike their dudes, they don’t feel the need to make each other cry at every turn. C’mon, let’s go hear what these birds are cheeping ’bout.

1. Did you read comics before you met Ian/Nuv? If not, did their taste influence yours?

Venus Explosivo: No, not really, just Archie’s. Ian’s taste didn’t influence mine too much, but he put out a buffet of material and I was able to wade through it to find what I did and didn’t like. I don’t know if that is influencing my taste, so much as setting me up to see for myself. Once I got over being a ‘girl in a comic shop’ and looking over Ian’s shoulder, I got down to business. Our tastes overlap and we tend to read each other’s comics, but for the most part we’ve got our own individual tastes.

Miss Teen USSR: YES! I also read Archies! And then Robert Crumb, Ghost World and Tijuana Bibles – thanks Chapters employee discount and Kitchen Sink Press! Nuv “educating” me about the rest of the world of comics was part of our courtship. His taste led me to some great titles, and he was always looking for things he knew I’d love (The Walking Dead, Fables, Kevin Smith’s Green Arrow run, the first few 30 Days of Night etc.)

2. Who is your favorite character (and their artist) in comics?

USSR: Batman by Paul Pope. The street-creddiness.

Venus: Lady Blackhawk, ridiculous war cry and all (”HAAAWWKAAAA!”), drawn by Stephane Roux. He draws her with just the right amount of sassiness. She’s not a traditional superhero and not super popular, but I love it when she shows up, and her outfit is one of my all-time favourites.

USSR: I think somebody just found her 2010 Hallowe’en costume..

3. What’s the one comic you recommend to any newbie girls/boys and why?

Venus: Hmmm, my first instinct is to go with Blankets by Craig Thompson. It’s coming of age, it’s not superhero-y and it’s a little bit more accessible to the new comic reader. I’ve had people that swore they didn’t like comics submit to that book.

USSR: That was one of my first graphic novels because of all the rave reviews. But you know what slowly turned me off? The religious stuff. Like ketchup in my frosting. And Craig Thompson can’t draw noses correctly.

Venus: Ooh, you are right about that – ketchup in the frosting. My other go-to for new readers that aren’t really interested in superheroes is (what else), Fables!

USSR: Nice. I also went with Fables and/or Preacher. I think everybody likes fairy tales spun around, or ridiculous violence, vampires and a smoking Man of God.

4. What is one major pet peeve that you have with comics?

USSR: Honestly, I get what I want out of them and pay no mind to the rest. It is an embarrassment of riches sometimes. To the point where I am way backed up with my reading – I’m so far behind with Fables I’m going to have to start from the beginning so I’ll remember all the key plot points and characters. This is THE reason why I collect graphic novels and not individual issues.

Venus: Funny you should say that. Ian is constantly on my case for being behind. But you know what? I do it so that I can read 3 – 5 issues in a row and not be left hanging! And then I can really get into the whole story arc. My major pet peeve is too much writing over not enough space! I bought a freakin’ comic book, not a text book. I’ve given up whole runs because of this. (See: The Unwritten.) I appreciate that there may be a lot that needs to be said, but I like to be able to read a single issue in a single sitting.

USSR: Fair enough. A great/effective writer (and artist) really need little to no words at all. And here is where I bring up We3 (which has next to no words other than animal sounds) which I cried reading. The second time. Because I’m AWESOME.
And why do the boys get so mad when we get behind? Nuv resorts to name calling when I forget to read something.

Venus: I must check out We3. And when Ian resorts to name calling, I resort to kicking. His comic boxes.

And there you have it folks. Really, it wouldn’t be a proper end to this column unless it involved some threat of violence. Stay tuned for future takeovers, but for now..

Put four in the air…

– The Big Four