barking_frog
03-17-2007, 02:33 PM
"The Art of the Prank." Kurt Busiek, writer. Mike Manley and Brad Blevins, guest artists. Since last issue (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=4445615#post4445615) (my first Superman in a while) was a self-contained story in an industry where the multi-part story arc seems to've become standard, I thought Busiek would turn out to be a fill-in writer. Very happy to see he appears to be the regular writer on the book!
Observations after reading:
An average issue for Busiek -- meaning it's very unlikely that I'll read anything better this month. We get a fully-realized Prankster who ends up being almost a sympathetic figure, not because we're provided with a sympathy-inducing backstory (we are not) -- but because he's a true professional who takes incredible care and pride in his work, but has to function in a world of fly-by-night amateurs.
I loved the ending, and given the pattern Prankster dictates to us throughout the story -- set-up, expectation, twist -- the closing line becomes just a parting example of same. But I can't help but feel that the 'expectation' he dismisses with his 'twist' was closer to being the full (fictional) truth than he lets on -- "an artisan likes to measure himself against the best". It's not hard to imagine a character with the Prankster's dedication to his 'work' being secretly ecstatic to have a Superman around to keep him at the top of his game down through the years.
Thank you, Mr. Busiek.
Observations after reading:
An average issue for Busiek -- meaning it's very unlikely that I'll read anything better this month. We get a fully-realized Prankster who ends up being almost a sympathetic figure, not because we're provided with a sympathy-inducing backstory (we are not) -- but because he's a true professional who takes incredible care and pride in his work, but has to function in a world of fly-by-night amateurs.
I loved the ending, and given the pattern Prankster dictates to us throughout the story -- set-up, expectation, twist -- the closing line becomes just a parting example of same. But I can't help but feel that the 'expectation' he dismisses with his 'twist' was closer to being the full (fictional) truth than he lets on -- "an artisan likes to measure himself against the best". It's not hard to imagine a character with the Prankster's dedication to his 'work' being secretly ecstatic to have a Superman around to keep him at the top of his game down through the years.
Thank you, Mr. Busiek.