Comments on: Comics You Should Own – Four Women http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/ Comic Book Resources Presents... Comics Should Be Good! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:59:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-131198 Greg Burgas Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:10:30 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-131198 I have put spoiler warnings at the beginning of some of these posts. I'll just have to remember to do it all the time. I have put spoiler warnings at the beginning of some of these posts. I’ll just have to remember to do it all the time.

]]> By: DanCJ http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-131002 DanCJ Thu, 12 Jul 2007 08:38:45 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-131002 I definitely think spoiler warnings should always be used no matter how old a story is. I had Sixth Sense spoiled for me. It's not that I didn't enjoy the film, but watching it knowing and watching it not knowing are two different experiences and now I've been deprived of one of those I definitely think spoiler warnings should always be used no matter how old a story is.

I had Sixth Sense spoiled for me. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the film, but watching it knowing and watching it not knowing are two different experiences and now I’ve been deprived of one of those

]]> By: BJ DuVall http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-130896 BJ DuVall Thu, 12 Jul 2007 06:12:19 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-130896 Ok, I am totally with you when it comes to rereading/reviewing favorite books/comics/movies regardless of knowing the ending... but I do hate the spoilers nonetheless. I also have seen fightclub a bunch of times and like it every time even knowing the end... the same with Four Women. But for the sake of those who haven't read it yet (I can only assume that's who the intended audience is) I get annoyed at hearing every plot point detailed throughout. I love deep analysis of a work that deserves it like Four Women does, but I would rather see it kept at an abstract level... like when you write things like: "In a mainstream comic book world that often indulges in stereotypes, mostly on the feminine side, Kieth gives us four women who confound stereotypes. They act like people, with sudden heroism contrasted with ugly cowardice, gallows humor mixed with silent pleading. They are, in essence, real. They don’t always tell the truth, or act nobly, but they do the best they can. It’s this characterization that makes the story so horrifying. It’s the story of a rape, but it’s more the story of how these women choose to deal with the situation in which the rape occurs and how they deal with the aftermath that makes this such a chilling comic." It's insightful without ruining plot surprises. I guess maybe warning about spoilers would help... as would a familiarity with this column since this may be how they are all written (I admit this is the first I have heard of it). In your defense, the spoilerphobic like myself have had 5 years to get in the loop, so you should have full reign in spoiling things. I just feel for anyone just hearing about this underrated series who will read it for the first time without any surprises. Some of the most powerful stuff in the book comes from being shocked at various revelations and most of the suspense as well. Anyway, let's not fight... we should revel in our mutual love for 'Four Women' and agree that your spoiler heavy analysis was nonetheless spot-on. Ok, I am totally with you when it comes to rereading/reviewing favorite books/comics/movies regardless of knowing the ending… but I do hate the spoilers nonetheless. I also have seen fightclub a bunch of times and like it every time even knowing the end… the same with Four Women. But for the sake of those who haven’t read it yet (I can only assume that’s who the intended audience is) I get annoyed at hearing every plot point detailed throughout. I love deep analysis of a work that deserves it like Four Women does, but I would rather see it kept at an abstract level… like when you write things like:
“In a mainstream comic book world that often indulges in stereotypes, mostly on the feminine side, Kieth gives us four women who confound stereotypes. They act like people, with sudden heroism contrasted with ugly cowardice, gallows humor mixed with silent pleading. They are, in essence, real. They don’t always tell the truth, or act nobly, but they do the best they can. It’s this characterization that makes the story so horrifying. It’s the story of a rape, but it’s more the story of how these women choose to deal with the situation in which the rape occurs and how they deal with the aftermath that makes this such a chilling comic.”

It’s insightful without ruining plot surprises. I guess maybe warning about spoilers would help… as would a familiarity with this column since this may be how they are all written (I admit this is the first I have heard of it). In your defense, the spoilerphobic like myself have had 5 years to get in the loop, so you should have full reign in spoiling things. I just feel for anyone just hearing about this underrated series who will read it for the first time without any surprises. Some of the most powerful stuff in the book comes from being shocked at various revelations and most of the suspense as well. Anyway, let’s not fight… we should revel in our mutual love for ‘Four Women’ and agree that your spoiler heavy analysis was nonetheless spot-on.

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-130267 Greg Burgas Wed, 11 Jul 2007 14:38:18 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-130267 If the only point of any sort of entertainment were for the surprise ending, what would be the point of owning anything? I love Fight Club, but I guess I can't watch it anymore because I know the ending. This is a brilliant book to read whether you know the ending or not. If it's a "masterpiece" as you say (and I agree with you), it should be something you can read over and over again and always appreciate the craft and the beauty of the book, even though you know what's going to happen. These posts are not meant to be a simple "read this, it's cool" kind of thing, but a bit of a more in-depth examination of what the creators are doing with the comics. That's why I always spoil them. I suppose I should put that at the beginning of every post when I do these, even though I've said it before. I just don't see how knowing what happens ruins the enjoyment of this at all. Knowing the ending will make it a bit less "shocking," but it's still a great comic. If the only point of any sort of entertainment were for the surprise ending, what would be the point of owning anything? I love Fight Club, but I guess I can’t watch it anymore because I know the ending. This is a brilliant book to read whether you know the ending or not. If it’s a “masterpiece” as you say (and I agree with you), it should be something you can read over and over again and always appreciate the craft and the beauty of the book, even though you know what’s going to happen. These posts are not meant to be a simple “read this, it’s cool” kind of thing, but a bit of a more in-depth examination of what the creators are doing with the comics. That’s why I always spoil them. I suppose I should put that at the beginning of every post when I do these, even though I’ve said it before. I just don’t see how knowing what happens ruins the enjoyment of this at all. Knowing the ending will make it a bit less “shocking,” but it’s still a great comic.

]]> By: BJ DuVall http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-129944 BJ DuVall Wed, 11 Jul 2007 06:12:34 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-129944 You don't have to own it now that the entire plot and surprise ending were just laid out meticulously. I bought these issues when they were first coming out 5 years ago (I am a registered "Kieth Kollector", and usually buy any of his stuff sight unseen) I found it to be one of his strongest and most coherent books ever, really a masterpiece of his. It really is a great read, but seriously, what's with the play by play? You don’t have to own it now that the entire plot and surprise ending were just laid out meticulously. I bought these issues when they were first coming out 5 years ago (I am a registered “Kieth Kollector”, and usually buy any of his stuff sight unseen) I found it to be one of his strongest and most coherent books ever, really a masterpiece of his. It really is a great read, but seriously, what’s with the play by play?

]]> By: jaygee http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-129392 jaygee Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:57:07 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-129392 Never was a big fan of Sam Kieth, but I picked up this trade cheap and it blew me away. It is an absolute stunning, mature thriller. As soon as I finished I gave it to my wife to read and she loved it. This is one of those rare comics you can give to a non-reader to show them comics offer more than superheroes and Archie. Never was a big fan of Sam Kieth, but I picked up this trade cheap and it blew me away. It is an absolute stunning, mature thriller. As soon as I finished I gave it to my wife to read and she loved it. This is one of those rare comics you can give to a non-reader to show them comics offer more than superheroes and Archie.

]]> By: Alejandro http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-128757 Alejandro Tue, 10 Jul 2007 01:46:53 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-128757 Yes, great comic. Is Sam Kieth already a reason to love comics? He is. (Yeah, I know you don't do that column, but still) Yes, great comic.
Is Sam Kieth already a reason to love comics?
He is.

(Yeah, I know you don’t do that column, but still)

]]> By: Greg Burgas http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-128444 Greg Burgas Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:33:44 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-128444 Yes, it's in trade, stealthwise. I just saw it in a comic book store last week, so it's still in print out there too. Yes, it’s in trade, stealthwise. I just saw it in a comic book store last week, so it’s still in print out there too.

]]> By: stealthwise http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-128438 stealthwise Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:21:23 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-128438 Read the first few paragraphs here and want to know, is this collected in trade? Sounds interesting, but I want to read it for myself, rather than the entire synopsis that you just laid out. Read the first few paragraphs here and want to know, is this collected in trade? Sounds interesting, but I want to read it for myself, rather than the entire synopsis that you just laid out.

]]> By: Ben Herman http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/comment-page-1/#comment-128387 Ben Herman Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:34:45 +0000 http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2007/07/08/comics-you-should-own-four-women/#comment-128387 When I read this series, I thought to myself "There but for the grade of God go I." Because you NEVER know how you are going to act in a situation like this one, and you pray that you never have to find out. When I read this series, I thought to myself “There but for the grade of God go I.” Because you NEVER know how you are going to act in a situation like this one, and you pray that you never have to find out.

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