Maher’s right about comic books but wrong to link the phenomenon (adult worship of comics) to Donald Trump’s rise. If anything, left/liberalism is much more the comic culture of American life. Trump is only relevant to the extent that he holds up a mirror to the contradictions and inanities of contemporary liberalism.
Worship of comics, really? I used to really like comics, my collection is worth $50K+, in college there were a lot of people who read them, but I’ve never known anyone to worship them. Clearlly, Evil One, you have no idea what you’re talking about. As does everyone on this thread who insinuates too much about what comic books are (or were) and why people like(d) to read them. If you’re so delusional about them, then I see no reason why I give you credibility for any position you take.
I think Bill is wrong about comic books.
The industry had 2 major changes. It went from all ages to children only in the 50s when the whole comics code authority thing happened following some lefty claiming it was harming our youth.
Then it went from children back to all ages around the 80s with the CCA being tossed out on it’s ear.
It’s another form of literature. There is a range of products just like any other type of literature or art or film. Yes there are still funny animal and superhero comics for kids. There are horror and war comics and fantasy and science fiction. There are also pieces like Neil Gaiman’s sandman that are thought provoking.
I would argue there are fewer thought provoking films and plays now that people are willing to invest time in than there are thought provoking comics.
Maus won a pulitzer for a sad tale of the holocaust where the jewish were depicted as mice. It was definitely not for kids.
Some of the best comics I’ve ever read were the war comics - from the 50s through recently. They still portray the sacrifice of our service men in both fiction and true stories.
The visual art is in many cases better than you’ll see in any studio. Especially with all the modern and post-modern crap that is out there.
In many other countries the form is just considered another media and doesn’t have the remaining stigma it has here in the States. In some, like Japan, it’s used to teach subjects to adults ranging from cooking to gardening to stock trading to sales techniques.
Maher’s wrong on many levels - including this one.
Yep.
All the people I know, who are seriously into graphic novels (expensive comic books) are hard-left Dems.