Comic Books and Graphic Novels
As long as we're both drawing breath . . .

That's David and Katchoo. David bears an uncanny resemblance to me--had I not decided to shave my head following a rather bad break-up, I could very well pass as David, were he not a fictional comic book character (Now you have a general idea of what the back of my head looks like).

David's in love with Katchoo, a feeling I'm not altogether unfamiliar with. Katchoo, however, considers David merely a friend, again, the resulting feeling one I'm not altogether unfamiliar with. David may also have feelings for another woman, Francine, Katchoo's roommate, another feeling I'm not altogther unfamiliar with.

Check out Terry Moore's Strangers in Paradise

There's a tale in the Caballa that suggests that the Angel of Death is so beautiful that on finally seeing it (or him, or her) you fall in love so hard, so fast, that your soul is pulled out through your eyes.

I like that story.

And there's a touch of wish fulfillment in there too. I didn't want a Death who agonised over her role, or who took a grim delight in her job, or who didn't care. I wanted a Death that I'd like to meet, in the end. Someone who would care.

Like her.


--Neil Gaiman
There's an Islamic story that declares that the Angel of Death has huge wings covered in eyes, and that as each mortal dies one of its eyes closes, just for a moment.

I like that story too, and take pleasure in imagining huge wings, and a ripple of ever-opening, ever-closing beautiful eyes.

With Orion's sword
The Hunter arose
And conquered the World
With Fury and grace.

In Him was I born
In Him shall I die
In Him shall I lose
Name, station and face.

Death over weakness
Death over despair
Death over personal gain.
Death over dishonor
Death over undeath
Death over fire with no flame.

All this I pledge thee
O Grendel, great Khan
To serve and protect
Over death's endless tide,

With your word in my heart
Your eyes in my face
And your tooth in my hand
By my side.

Vivat Grendel

Matt Wagner's
Ancient Brain Parts

BoogaBooga!

Sam and Max, Freelance Police

Independent Comics

Jeff Mason's Alternative Comix Cornucopia

Dark Horse Comics

Comics Shop News

The Dreaming The rec.arts.comics FAQ WraithSpace

W3C Wilbur Checked
James Tze-Ming Hsiao
email: hsiao@cis.ufl.edu
Comments, questions, and suggestions welcome