on theatre &tc
graphic novels
Shaun Tan: Tales from Outer Suburbia
I do not understand the paradox of Shaun Tan. In a country with no tradition, and subsequently little undestanding, of illustrated books, from comics to picture books, Shaun Tan, who is essentially a creator of both, is revered as a national treasure.
Jason Lutes: Jar of Fools
To praise an achievement in a medium by elevating it to another, superior medium, is nonsense. Just like no film can be flattered by calling it, say, so good it’s no longer film, it’s theatre, so should a graphic novel not be asked to be prose. To praise Jar of Fools for its literary merit is an even greater overlook, specifically because Jason Lutes is as good as he is because he understands the difference.
© 2009 guerrilla semiotics. 
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