We read all the time about comic books, comic book writers and artists, publishers and about our favourite comic book characters….but what about us, the comic book fans?
Well, I think its time to talk about us as well, after all we are part of the comic book industry and we are a big community as well.
So I came up with the idea of asking 6 simple questions to comic book fans, first to answer is Erene a hardcore comic book fan with a diverse comic book collection.
First she says a bit about herself and then she answers…enjoy!
Questions about comics always put me in the process of introspection by looking at the library that is about to fall down and flatten me. They are summarized usually in the key phrase:
“What have I done with my life?”
According to the report, I’ve done a few and I intend to do even more.
After all I’m only 36 years old, a graduate of Panteion (Department of International and European Studies) and working as a private employee I follow a fast paced schedule that has me constantly on the run. But with me will always run a comic book which I have in my bag or on my mobile phone. It doesn’t matter the genre as long as it grabs my
interest I will read it. And yes, I know this sounds like the equivalent of “I listen too a little bit of everything” when we talk about music. But really genre is no issue for me and certainly I do not read a little bit of everything.
My great love is manga and seasonal american comic books but in terms of “place of origin” BDs have a special place in my heart. Other from reading I also channel my love for comic books by writing about them on IGN Greece.
In any comic book convention you can identify me by three simple steps. I’m the kind of person who looks like they are working in an office (probably because I have just come from there) loaded with comics running to catch up and participate in a workshop or to take an interview from a comic book artist. If you see someone that fits the previous description it might be me or maybe STAR’s TV presenter.
How did your love for comics begin?
Out of boredom and good timing. As an only child, I always liked to I read in my spare time, either books or comic books I just loved stories. The fact that the price of comics was cheaper and they were always at your local kiosk booth it was much easier to get them. Also animation on TV offered a stimulus that he referred to them because they had illustrations as a common theme.
In combination of discovering forgotten comic book collections of my older cousins and the circulation of the comic book “9” created the base for them to become from an occasional avocation to a conscious hobby. The more I learned about comics the more I loved them, regardless their genre.
What is it that makes you want to read comic books till this day?
I still love reading so this definitely counts for not just remaining on TV / movie renderings of storytelling. I am also fascinated by how the artwork in comics is used as a way of transmit information and narration which allows me to not read books exclusively. Beyond the stories and the perfection of the art on each comic book title I also love to observe the ways each comic book artist tries to fit 1000 words in an image. The way the frames are set, on where the creator at any given time will show his focus in his art such small details are things that can transform the end result. And there is a huge variety of creators, styles, genres and stories that are currently available so no I cannot say that there is a saturation in reading comic books.
Do you have a large collection of comic books?
Personally, I would say its chaotic not so large. It is diverse. There are definitely people who have a lot more comics than me, but if I bring five people with completely different tastes in comics to my house they will find something that they would like to read. Which, of course, means that at each event where a lot of creators and comic book shops gather I feel a bit like this:
Is there a comic book title or an issue that up to now still remains your favourite?
Hayao Miyazaki’s “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”. Most people know the anime and many of us grew up with it. But manga is something separate and autonomous and complete on multiple levels. It combines the philosophical with the emotional in a harmonious way making a magical and complete story. It is journey of the heart and mind and a struggle against nihilism that largely dominates the stories. Its not always a happy journey, but it is optimistic.
Which is a favourite phrase from a comic book character that you like to use?
I have read perfectly written and structured dialogues, that they really take human language, etymology and intellect one step ahead. I would like to give a fantastic elegiac quote from a comic that deals with human existence and its futility. But because we are telling the truth, I will admit that these beautiful details I do not remember more so ever to place them as part of what I say. What I will throw in every possible (and
incredible) opportunity is: “On that day humanity received a grim reminder […]” by Eren of “Attack on Titan” and “You are weak. Why are you so weak? Is it because you lack hatred? ” from Naruto’s Itach.
Would you suggest to others to read comic books and why?
It depends on the person I have in font of me. I think it’s a medium with unique capabilities. It combines the magic of the image with that of narration in so many different ways and offers a huge amount of information and emotions to a relatively small extent. But as much as I want to share my love for comics with a lot of people I understand that not all people are for this hobby. It would make no sense to suggest and try to convince someone of what comic books have to offer if they have for example a stereotype belief about comics. And that’s okay and it doesn’t matter and has no bad outcome neither for this person nor for comics.
I prefer to dedicate my energy to the person who already has a love and a curiosity for comics and will give him the knowledge to make the most of each different experience he may encounter. Maybe that’s why I can’t say that I have “initiated” people into comics. On the contrary, I have helped those who already like comics to learn about what they had not come across up to then in their hobby. The only exception is children, comics is a great springboard for any child to start reading in general and to develop their imagination and willingness to learn. So I consider it fundamental for them to have the opportunity to get to know them and either love them per se, or to get the incredible contagion they offer as a basis to move into media such as the visual arts and books.
Thank you Erene for your lovely answers, it was nice to know about you and about your love for comic books!
Costas on Comics 