Review: Diskordia #8
Desires are something that humans have from birth, it is most primal element of our personalities. We crave, we obsess, we use these motivations to push us, in our wants and needs. We also curb these desires, before they become carnal, before lust sets in. This is what separates people like Harvey Weinstein, from the rest of us, the possession of human decency and respect for your fellow human being.
That is why the stories of his sexual harassment pervaded our sensibilities, because we know of someone who has gone through similar incidents. Fiction, in all its forms have shown, how this affects its victims, leaving the scarred for years. The most vicious example is Alias, Jessica Jones post traumatic disorder from the mind control and rape that Killgrave inflicted on the character. In the eighth issue of Diskordia, the reader gets little more background into what made Jackal the way he is now.
We find out Jackal, has had his trust broken by the mother figures in his life, in one of the most perverse of ways, through sex. First, by the hands of his music teacher, who showers him with attention. The second, by his best friend, a girl he thought he could trust. By the end of this issue, we find a more peaceful Jackal, one who knows who he is and who can determine his own destiny.
Overall, an introspective installment which gives the reader more information into the character of Jackal. The story by Rivenis feels personal and beautiful. The art is exquisite. Altogether, an excellent ending to a very interesting story arc.
Story: Rivenis Art: Rivenis
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy
Growing up , I used to read a lot of books about being in war. This initial obsession started when my maternal grandfather used to tell me stories about working for the American in the Philippines during World War II. His stories often were about the Americans he worked with and the dangers he often PI was occupied by Japan during that time. One of the first books I read about and eventually saw the movie which it was based on was The Bridge On The River Kwai.
Growing up at a time when I remember HBO, went off at a certain time, the idea of channels where they never go off air sometimes sounds nuts. Even the number of channels and now, streaming services that exist, are almost mind blowing. As Seth Myers even alluded to this fact at the most recent Emmy Awards, as he pointed out a pretty good problem, there is countless shows. There are not only too many shows but also too many movies.
There is a lot of adjectives that one can use to describe the movie, Fifth Element. As it pushes the boundaries of fantastical, as the concepts descried throughout the story is both familiar and groundbreaking. It is very much luminous, in its use of colors, as they not only pop off the screen, they push the limits of good taste. This was one of those movies, one had to re-watch, as the notions and nuances were so carefully placed, you were most assuredly going to miss them, first time around.
The last iteration of Lord of The Rings by Peter Jackson, revived a lot of fans interest in the story. As the last time, anyone even saw anything resembling the prequel to the Fellowship of The Rings, was Ralph Bakshi’s interpretation. As most of the enthusiasm around the rehash of this universe centered on the nostalgia from the first trilogy, there were a few surprises. One of those surprises was the introduction of Smaug, a major player in the original story.
Neil Gaiman’s psychedelic Sandman, portrayed the world as it is and how it could be. The art and the storyline melded so well together, that it feels like a lucid dream. Every issue was not only about a story but the world of stories. The mere “keeping up” with the storyline could be taxing on the reader, as at times it felt it was on me when I read the seminal series.
To keep an audience’s attention throughout a book, movie, or comic strictly is a difficult task. To keep that audience’s attention strictly on dialogue is an even harder task. This is no to say it is impossible, but words and their intention must engage the reader enough stay just for it. Some of the best writers in the world can hold a room just on dialogue, so it is understood dialogue is as just as important as prose.
Coming of age stories are always interesting to read as outsiders normally tell them. Those individuals who most of society does not see and does not necessarily fit in a certain category. As these people are normally light years ahead of their peers and do not know it, until years later when thy become adults. The first coming of age story, that caught my attention, was the movie, Cooley High.