Since the last takeover went so swimmingly, and the boys ended up sulking for a week, and then giving us back and feet rubs for another week because we saved this wreck of a column, we’re baaaaaaAAAAaack. Same deal – some juicy questions and some even moister answers. Um, yes. Let’s just do this..
1. Female readers are typically more aware of how women’s bodies are portrayed in comics. Which artist(s) would you say does justice to the female form?
Venus: The first thing that turns me off are the waif-y thin-with-fake-double-F’s female superheroes bounding over rooftops. Puh. Leeze. What I do like are healthy and muscular portrayals. Like say, how the Dodsons depict women. My goodness the thighs! And yes, big boobs, but in proportion. Frank Cho is another artist that loves thighs and I thank him for that. Tim Sale also comes to mind, but for a different reason – he is able to draw femininity with strength in such a unique style. He also places a lot of emphasis on the eyes and I really like that.
Miss Teen USSR: Ooh, Tim Sale = Yes. I love Frank Miller’s girls, dripping in jewellery and sex and weird outfits. Also, (Ian’s fave) Robert Crumb. He loves them big big girls, probably the only guy in comics that does. Word on the skeletons with jugs – my least favourite girls are the T ‘n’ A Japanime-eyes ones that are so knee-jerk, so unimaginative and so pandering to “comic virgins.” I’m not a feminist; I just think it’s lazy art.
2. What’s your favourite comic shop of all time ever?
USSR: Mine is Legends in Victoria, BC. Retarded selection of the big guys AND the indies, thoughtful funny signs all over the place, and the owner clearly loves his job and comics and has his own little comic strip. Referring back to your ‘girl in the comic shop’ reference from our first column – You ever feel like the most beautiful girl in the world in a comic shop because you’re the only vagina in there? It’s amazing for the ego.
Venus: I have not been to Legends! My favorite comic shop of all time ever is Golden Age Collectables in Seattle, WA. Why? It’s in Seattle, and I love Seattle. The store is big (for being situated in Pike Place Market) and has craploads of stuff! Golden Age has a sister store here in Vancouver, but I much prefer the Seattle location. The first time I went in was while Ian and I were down in Seattle for the Emerald City Comic Convention (ECCC). It was our first trip together anywhere, and we totally got our geek on. Every time we go down to visit, Golden Age is always on our list of places to hit. Being in a comic shop and feeling like the most beautiful girl in the world = so, so true. It’s always a nice boost and also fun when they realize YOU are actually a reader of comics, and not just tagging along with that guy you’re married to.
USSR: You should do a weekend in Vic. That’s where Nuv is from so, in essence, it’s the birthplace of cool AND handsome.
3. Your favourite artists & writers?
Venus: Favorite artist…… overall it would have to be James Jean. OMG. There is a reason I have several of his smaller pieces tattooed on my arm. That man is AMAZING. It was a sad day when he stopped doing the covers for Fables, but he’s been doing great things since. Tim Sale, because I love his style and he is a total sweetheart! Adam Hughes, Jamie McKelvie, Mike Mignola, Stephane Roux, Cliff Chiang…. and I’d better stop or I’ll just keep going. As for writers, Bill Willingham is an easy pick for Fables, so my other pick is going to be Gail Simone. The main reason: in Birds of Prey, she had Black Canary (and sometimes Huntress) stuffing their faces with food! They are super-active crime fighters. Of COURSE they eat!
Miss Teen USSR: James Jean. Le Sigh. I’m so envious that you have those tattoos. Okay, for artist & writer – Chris Ware. I want him to draw my life story in devastating little architectural boxes. Art Also-Rans: R. Crumb, James Jean, Frank Quitely, Geoff Darrow and what I consider the purest artist – Alex Ross. Writer Also-Rans: Garth Ennis – so demented & Alan Moore – even more demented, but razor sharp. Speaking of Moore, you were also disappointed that he let his artist hack of a wife illustrate Lost Girls, non?
Venus: Yes, disappointed. But I love Lost Girls anyways, and I love Alan Moore.
4. As ½ of a couple that collect comics, in the event of a divorce, is there anything in your husband’s collection that you would lay claim to? Or yoink when they’re at the lawyers?
USSR: I ran this question by Nuv and he pretty much told me I’d be prying any stuff of his out of his cold dead hands. Honestly our tastes vary so much (here he would say he has taste), that I’m pretty happy with just my stuff. He likes the real “Superhero Crisis on 88 Earths!” mythology characters and storylines that make my head explode. I prefer the detective, crime stories with good villains, great violence and compelling characters, that just happen to be told in comic form.
Venus: Nice! I had a great visual of Nuv with an iron grip on his comics and you with a crowbar. I would sell Ian’s Daredevil run, but would snag his Hellboy, DMZ, Buffy Season 8…. to start. I think Ian has a hard time with anything nearing a Multiverse for some reason, but I can dig it.
USSR: So, you’re like the bizarro version of us! Rad!
Venus: Yup!
USSR: Well, Miss Venus, it has been a joy and a delight getting to know you a little better. I’m pretty sure the Universe will demand more once they get their teeth into this. So, until next time…
Put four in the air…
–The Big Four
NEXT ISSUE: THE BIG TWO GET THEIR ASS KICKED!
TUNE IN: SAME IAN-TIME, SAME NUV-CHANNEL…
