Longshot 1-6

Ann Nocenti and Arthur Adams, September 1985 - February 1986, Marvel

I didn't read this back in '86. I just got it from mycomicshop.com along with a few holes i was filling in. And this thing was FULL of surprises!

ok, where to start? firstly, Nocenti has over written it quite a bit. It is so packed with ideas that they all get a little washed out by each other. It just made for a pretty hard read. tons of exposition. a lot of tell and not enough show. but despite all of this, it's actually pretty good.

i admit that i bought it for the Adams art, which is oh so pretty. but Nocenti packed in some very cool ideas. Longshot pops onto Earth by way of a inter-dimensional portal and has no memory of who he is or why he's running form a buncha demons. eventually he learns that he is a rebel leader, trying to free the slaves of Mojo and the Spineless Ones in a media-saturated dimension. now that's the whole plot, but DAMN there are some sweet little existential ideas peppered through the whole thing. Ideas like the true meaning of freedom, individuality, the inter-connectedness of all things. seriously, it's worth checking out. and there is quite a bit on magic and will. changing oneself by force of will. being whatever you want to be, simply by believing that you are such a thing. really a commentary on the creative process. and here i was just looking for pretty pictures.

which by the way are very pretty. Adams' highly detailed work is energetic and textured. full of information, but clean and sharp. inked by Whilce Portacio by the way.

so i guess i just want someone else to read this and tell me they see these things too. maybe i'm just exhausted.