https://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/files/original/0b76764629ddc79dd3ead43404f2a9e8.tif 80aacf337c699f736631d6a6f1151205 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Subject The topic of the resource Comics Periodical Description An account of the resource A digital project from Fall 2018 ENG 492H course. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Students from ENG 492H Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Library Special Collections Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Julian C. Chambliss Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2018 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Some rights apply Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Files Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Digital files Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Students from ENG 492H Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Amazing Heroes Issue #152 Page 21 Subject The topic of the resource Periodical Comics Strips Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Executive Editor: Kim "Reed" Thompson Managing Editor: Chris "Ben" McCubbin Art Director: Lynette "Sue" Alcorn-McCubbin Associate Editor: Bruce "Johnny" Walrad News Correspondents: Michael Johnson, Darren Cranston Production Assistant: Mark Thompson Typesetting: Linda Gorell, Arlene Easter Circulation: Rachel Enger, Carol Kovinick-Hernandez Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MSU Special Collection Comic Art, PN6725.A47 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fantagraphics Books, Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1988-11 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Holly Simon Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Rights Restrictions Apply Relation A related resource <a href="http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/92">Amazing Heroes Issue #152 Cover</a> <a href="http://chambl91.msu.domains/CriticalFanscape/items/show/93">Amazing Heroes Issue #152 Table of Contents</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 10 1/4 x 6 1/8 in. Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Periodical Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context OMIT Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-1992 Description An account of the resource The twenty-first page of this issue is entitled “From an English Country Garden.” This text is seen in the top left-hand half of the page, in black text over an uncolored background. Underneath this large titled, in slightly smaller letters, reads “The British Team of Dave McKean & Neil Gaiman Talk about Black Orchid and Other Upcoming Projects.” Below this is about half a page of blankness, and then, at the very bottom, it reads “November 1, 1988” in extremely small text. The right-hand column, at the very top, features the name “Neil Gaiman” in black text in a hard-to-read text box with diagonal stripes. Underneath this, it says “Interviewed by Peter Sanderson”, and then proceeds with a four-paragraph, italicized introduction to Gaiman and his prior writings and current projects. Underneath this, there is a simple “21”, indicating the page number. Surprisingly, the page features no decoration – there are no illustrations and no photographs, despite Gaiman working repeatedly with illustrator Dave McKean. Instead, the page is simply text heavy, with the only thing close to decoration being the border around Gaiman’s name. Later pages of the article do feature illustrations, making the choice to admit them on the title page a surprising one. This interview with Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, the creators of a late-1980s rendition of Black Orchid, offers insight to readers as to what it takes to join the comic industry, and just how making a comic can come together. Their non-traditional style and unique storytelling methods paved the way for the artsier Vertigo comics, and inklings of this can be found within this article. In addition to discussing Black Orchid, this interview examines other projects done by Gaiman and McKean, like the now-revered Sandman series. Both Gaiman and McKean discuss their transition into comic creation and their thoughts on current trends in the industry. One question asked was this: “Do you prefer writing superheroes as explicitly godlike beings in contrast with…otherwise normal human beings who possess unusual powers?”, to which Gaiman replies that he does not really see himself fitting in the field of comic books at all. This deferment – Gaiman, a comics and superhero creator choosing not to align himself with those art forms – shows the remnants of the recently-ended Bronze Age of comics, where adult comic book fans are moving away from traditional stories and into new, unique formats. Accordingly, the creators are trying to posit themselves as more high-brow, to fit into this new demographic. This is exemplified in McKean’s artwork for Black Orchid and other series as well; gone is the cartoon-y, exaggerated animation style that’s considered a mainstay in popular comics. Instead, the Black Orchid style is artsy, angsty, watercolor-esque, and thought-provoking. By presenting Black Orchid in this style, the authors are indirectly demonstrating that, despite being a comic book, they see this as a more elevated use of the medium, one that separates them from traditional superheroes or comic books. They are attempting to disassociate their comics from the more stigmatized, “childish” comics in order to preserve a more high-brow reputation. Alan Moore Amazing Heroes Black Orchid comic books comics Dave McKean Neil Gaiman Sandman