Batman, as told by A Confederacy of Dunces
Not sure how many of our crowd here have read the Pulitzer Prize-winning exploits of Ignatius J. Reilly, but I was reading the book the other day and came across a section that had surprising relevance to the world of comic books.
While recommending reading to a terrified passerby, the crazed Reilly suggests mostly Medieval scholars (he loves Boethius in particular), advises to steer clear of Victorian or Modern literature, then says:
For the contemporary period, you should study some selected comic books. … I recommend Batman especially, for he tends to transcend the abysmal society in which he’s found himself. His morality is rather rigid, also. I rather respect Batman.
Now, who would’ve thought that Frank Miller would look at Batman in the same way as a (pardon me) batshit crazy central character of a great literary work? Oh, wait, that doesn’t surprise anyone, does it?
Side note: after a month and a move across the country, I’m once again gainfully employed. My new boss even has a Batman poster on the wall of his office. The real meat of this news is that I’m also once again among the comic-buying public, so expect more writing from yours truly in the near future.
Sonuva…Confederacy of Dunces is like the only book I’ve ever started and not finished. I just hated Ignatius J. Reilly. Even dropping Batman’s name, unless you can assure me the book ends with a savagely brutal and detailed beating of Reilly, I’m not trying it again.
Yeah, not so much. I was hoping for that too. I’d heard so much about the book, but it was pretty disappointing, especially for a Pulitzer winner. The dialogue was pretty brilliant, though.
Mogoloids! I assume you stoop to indulge in canned foods as well!
That should say Mongoloids, not Mogoloids. Though little Mogos would be interesting.