Random thought of the day: Kama Sutra Cookie Cutters. The tag-line practically writes itself. "The best fucking cookies you've ever had..."
Random real-life product of the day: The 9/11 Commission Report. Why is it interesting? Because someone decided it needed a little pizzaz. That there was a better way to tell the story. That words are just too abstract. This person made the report into a comic book. The result is shown below.
They wisely edited out the Blam! next to the building.
Strangely, I'm reminded of those picto-bibles from childhood more than anything.
Also is that Saddam in the last panel? Are they implying that he gave Al-Queada weapons of mass destruction himself? That he literally handed them over? Are they going to have to retcon this section now that we know the Saddam story-arc turned out differently? Who can say? Am I ending this post playing the question game?Strangely, I'm reminded of those picto-bibles from childhood more than anything.
- Scott?
I have this very book sitting on my desk at work. The book belongs to a co-worker. Actually, first impression, I like the book. Within reading the first 5 pages, I truly learned information about 9/11 that I didn't know prior. Now, that could say that I am simply very uninformed which I can't argue against. But I think this book does present the material in a way that others (other uninformed like me perhaps) might not have gotten otherwise. I honestly never would have considered reading the 9/11 Report if this hadn't caught my interest. Again, perhaps this says more about my immature nature but it did get my attention none the less.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that it does look like the picto-bibles that you mentioned. It reminded me of the Robert Smigel cartoons from Saturday Night Live. One issue that I did have is that in the book, some of the graphic renderings don't resemble the real people while others are easily recognizable. With a couple people, I had to assume who the person was supposed to be.
But with that issue aside, I found the first chapter informative. I haven't read past Chapter 1 so this isn't to say the rest of the book will be just as interesting. And, I can't comment about Saddam "personally handing over weapons to Al-Queada" as I haven't gotten to that chapter. However, having skimmed ahead in the book, I do know that later chapters discuss events that happened in the 1980's and 1990's that may have lead to 9/11. Those events don't necessary all deal with Al-Queada.
-Anonymous Rex
Being something of a comic loving nerd, I have no doubt I'd enjoy reading it. This, however, does not lessen the hilarious nature of the book itself. I mean, what if they're going to make more entertaining versions of publically available documents, I'm waiting for the porno version of the Starr Report.
ReplyDeleteBut you're right, I'm tempted to read it. Publically even, so people can see the absolute absurdity of the existence of such an item. Even though my post was mostly tounge in cheek, it's still quite a hilarious artifact.
- Scott
P.S. Doubly ironic about your timing is that right this very instant 11-11-06 on the SciFi channel they're airing Anonymous Rex.
ReplyDeleteI sure that there's plenty of uniformed menacing looking burly Arab men with mustaches and berets other than Saddam running around the Middle East, then and now.
ReplyDeleteNo no, Jakey...he was the only one. Honest.
ReplyDeleteIn fact all the other moustachio'd arabs had to shave when he came into power - he sent around his Mukhabarat with little pink bics just to make sure.
p.s. I'm going to hell for that one.
ReplyDeleteNo, you're just going to a secret prison for the rest of your life.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing how long my comment is compared to your posting I already feel like I hijacked your posting (yes, the pun is intended). So I apologize for adding yet another comment. However, I did understand that you were making fun of the book when I posted. When I first heard of the book, my first impression was "Why?". Why would we need a "graphic novel" version of the 9/11 report? It seemed completely unnecessary and I questioned if it was in poor taste. However, after starting to read it I was amazed when I learned details that I wasn't aware of that day. So, I was trying to say that I thought the book was a crazy idea too until I read (part of) it. Although learning something from a comic did make me feel a bit stupid. So, I had to remind myself that it IS the report from the 9/11 Commission, just in cheezy comic form. Again, my immature nature did draw me into reading that first chapter.
ReplyDelete-Anonymous Rex
I wish I had known of the Sci-Fi airing.
Mr. Rex, I resent - deeply and personally - you dragging up the tone of this post and commentary. As the spokesperson for all that is immoral and, most importantly, bloody silly - I demand that you say something humorous.
ReplyDeleteMe: "Something humorous"
ReplyDeleteYes, that was it. That was as good a humor as I could achieve on demand. I suppose self-deprecating humor doesn't work anonymously. Also, I suppose the "hijacking" comment wasn't that funny in retrospect.
As a secret admirer of "I'm Something that Happens to Other People" (Scott can verify that I also read your blog but I have never posted my unfunny comments there - but I found your Smurf post very, very funny), I truly didn't mean to offend you or Scott or any of Scott's other readers. I find your comments extremely funny, Ms. Mulheren. Honest, I truly do. I am simply not that clever. Again, more self-deprecating humor. However, the fact that I was admitting to learning something from this book should have been humorous enough in itself.
If I were to take a second attempt (strong emphasis on the word attempt), I would say that the caption for the last panel in Scott's photo should show Saddam saying: "No, I can not accept your kind gift of weapons of mass destruction. I am a kind and honorable man." Doesn't it appear as though Saddam is turning down the rocket launcher. Also, why does it appear that an American soldier is present during this transaction?
-Anonymous Rex
ah my darlingest anonymous. You have redeemed yourself by means of your flattery. Also, your suggestion for a caption made me chuckle. *applause*
ReplyDeleteJakey, I think Nes schooled you enough on this one. But I'll what was going to be my response anyway: No. There aren't.
ReplyDeleteNessa Uno, I like to think he had a whole list of facial hair they had to use instead. Muttonchops of the Infidel and such, especially if they deserved the absolute shame that accompanies an overgrown set of muttonchops.
Nessa Dos, ni un poco.
Johnny V., I think you thought it was hammer time. Because you hit the nail on the head.
Anonymous Rex, your comments are always welcome. But damn it, I think I might be slightly interested in this damned book now.
Nessa Cuatro, you get to be the spokesperson for the immoral and bloody silly, but I'm the spokesman for the unethical and hilarious.
Anonymous Rex, delightful caption. I knew you had it in you. I've heard you school some students in the non-educational sense a few times. Although most of that was Nick...
Nessa Cinco, I didn't need to reply to this. In fact I don't have anything to say to it, but I was going for completeness damn it. Also, we take flattery nicely, don't we.
- Scott