It’s A Bird…

 

By Steven T. Seagle and Teddy Kristiansen (Vertigo)
ISBN 1-4012-0109-1

Something of a departure from the typical Superman Graphic Novel fare here with author Seagle getting to sell his (presumable) angst about writing a Superman story by writing about an author who has misgivings about writing a Superman story. All glibness aside though, there is a subtle undercurrent of savvy verity to all this which strikes a chord with many creative professionals and insightful consumers. Let’s be honest here, every comic fan, indeed every twitcher and hobbyist, looks for a way to present and explain their particular passion to the “real” world and not feel like an imbecile in the process.

“Steve” is a writer working through some problems. He is coming to terms with his family’s gradual disintegration, mental, physical and spiritual from the hereditary genetic disease Huntington’s Disease – Chorea, as was. His father has gone missing. His mom and partner are making the “let’s have kids” noises whilst he’s waiting for the hammer to fall. He never wanted to write comics even though he’s successful at it, and now his editor wants him to write Superman. He’s never had any feeling for the character or the medium and his damned editor just keeps on and on and on about… You get the picture?

It’s a Bird… is slow and lyrical in its deconstructive self absorption, as Steve makes his choices, and Teddy Kristiansen’s range of enticing drawing styles is a marvel, but there is a distressing whiff of authorial preciousness that just doesn’t feel honest. All in all, though, it’s worth a look, if only to see how churlish I may be being.

© 2004 DC Comics. All Rights Reserved.