Issue 4, May 2014

Issue 4, May 2014
Issue 4, May 2014
The People of the Hour!
Cheryl Cottrell-Smith, Editor-in-chief
Writer, editor, lover of words, and proponent of the
Oxford Comma. Loves comics, Lionhead’s Fable, red
wine, and cats. @CottrellSmithC
Editor Talk
Another month. How have we been around for four months already?
And why on earth do you keep reading?
Matt Bowes, Lit + Film Columnist
Self-proclaimed cultural commentator/arbiter of good
taste. Enjoys movies/books, and writes about them at
thisnerdinglife.com. @matt_bowes
Just kidding. The awesome list of names to the right is exactly the
reason you keep reading. I’m very lucky to work with these guys and I
get the joyful jollies every time one of them sends me their eloquent,
thoughtful article.
Kelsey Beier, Musings Columnist
Lover of music, writing, traveling and working with kids.
Teacher by day; unpublished author by night (and
sometimes on the weekends).
This is kind of the cosplay issue, but we don’t really have categorized
issues. And two articles out of 11 isn’t quite enough to label this entire
magazine as dedicated to cosplay. Nevertheless, we’ve got a great
shot from Milon Hall Photography on our cover—it’s from the Alternate
Universe Attack on Titan photo shoot covered by Steve on page 5.
Teresa Simmons, Fashion Columnist
Fashion writer and blogger at Simmons On Style. She
can’t live without little black dresses, seafood, holidays,
Indie music, and lip gloss. @simmonsonstyle
There’s also a piece by me on the cosplay sexual harassment
campaign at the Calgary Expo this year. Cosplay doesn’t equal
consent, folks. I would’ve thought that was obvious.
There are a range of great pieces in this issue, from a Naoki Urasawa
review, to Godzilla 2014, to pop culture oligarchies, to Justice League
United. Throw in some fashion and a little political musing, and we’re
already there.
For those of you that do live in Edmonton, come out and see us at
The Eek! Comic and Pop Culture Fest on May 31 and June 1. We’ll
be holding a contest for free comics and co-hosting a booth with the
Northern Nerd Network. Worth a visit, that’s for sure.
I’d better see you there. In costume. And bring me a coffee, please.
Cheryl
Editor-in-Chief
thepulppress.com
Cover Photo by Milon Hall Photography
Models: Alan McDougall and Ringo
2
Steve Munro, Editorial Contributor
Freelance writer who got his start in the industry over a
decade ago in Montreal, Quebec. @steve_r_munro
Sherry Lawler, Editorial Contributor
Local editor and writer. Linguist, grammarian, language
enthusiast, and owner of AlphaProofing.
@AlphaProofing
Russ Dobler, Editorial Contributor
Known as "Dog" to friends and weirdos; wannabe
scientist; beer lover. Blogs at
thoughtfulconduit.com/whatdoesthismean.
cbwcaswell, Editorial Contributor
Local writer and editor, published journalist, and
nominee for the Emerging Writer Award at the 2014
AMPA Awards. @cbwcaswell
Erin Fraser, Editorial Contributor
Film curator and cinephile, comic aficionado, and pop
culture commentator. Found at erinefraser.com or
@erinefraser.
Issue 4, May 2014
The first Edmonton
International Cat Fest promises
a purrfect event for feline
lovers in the city
CONTENTS
lit + film
11
For Your (Re)Consideration: Jack
Snyder’s Watchmen (2009) –
Matt Bowes
21
The Arrogance of Man: Gareth
Edwards’ Godzilla – Erin Fraser
comics + graphic novels
17
Canadians flock to buy Justice
League United #1 – Russ Dobler
23
What to Read: the work of Naoki
Urasawa - cbwcaswell
musings
15
29
17
What defines an excellent teacher
and who has the right to decide?
– Kelsey Beier
fashion + cosplay
5
On the art of cosplay (Part 2) –
Steve Munro
19
The cropped pants craze – Teresa
Simmons
27
Cosplay, consent, and the 2014
Calgary Expo – Cheryl CottrellSmith
Our Fictional Future: Oligarchy –
Matt Bowes
Canadians are loving
every minute of Justice
League United #1,
whereas Americans
are lukewarm towards
the new series
27
Cosplayers discuss their
experiences with the
Calgary Expo’s Cosplay is
Not Consent Campaign
nerd culture
3
7
The long and short (tail) of it:
Edmonton's International Cat
Festival – Cheryl Cottrell-Smith
31
Espresso Patronum! – Sherry
Lawler
Issue 4, May 2014
4
Issue 4, May 2014
On the art of cosplay
| Images courtesy
(Part 2) Written by SteveofMunro
Milon Hall Photography
“
"The theme and focus
of the Alternate
Universe Attack on
Titan shoot were
three characters from
the manga and anime
series “Attack on
Titan.”"
5
This time, meeting up with Alan McDougall to
chat about how his Alternate Universe Attack on
Titan photo shoot went was a bit more challenging
than expected. He apologized for being incredibly
busy since his return to Edmonton.
When we sat down to talk, it was pretty clear he
had had a busy month. For Alan, it was a two-coffee
interview.
The theme and focus of the Alternate Universe
Attack on Titan shoot were three characters from the
manga and anime series “Attack On Titan.” However,
this specific version was an Alternate Universe
version conceived by Ven Tsun. In the mainstream
Attack on Titan reality, three characters, Erwin Smith
(Alan), Levi (Ven Tsun), and Hanji (Ringo), are
members of the military Survey Corps. In this brand
new version, they are themed as an elite police unit
instead.
“Ven did the costumes,” Alan explained. “He
bought the jackets online, but everything was
designed by him: he did the alterations, added the
Survey Corps logos everywhere, and had it all ready
to go before the shoot.”
The shoot was in Vancouver during the last week
in March and first week of April. Overall, there were
two days of shooting, and the majority of the pictures
published so far have been from the first day.
“The rest aren't ready yet. There's a lot of editing
left to do.”
Alan’s estimate was around three thousand
photos taken over the two days, but maybe fifty would
make the final cut.
The first day of shooting was a rainy Sunday in
Vancouver. Their photographer, Milon Hall, selected
a shooting location near the courthouse in New
Westminster which allowed for a dimmer, more oldfashioned feel for the shoot. Alan went on to explain
that there weren't a lot of people around on Sunday,
so they were able to do the shoot without worrying
about any bystanders or photo-bombers.
The second day, however, was a bit of a different
story. The shoot on Monday was done at the New
Westminster quay, with plenty of onlookers
everywhere. According to Alan, it was lots of fun, if
somewhat awkward with everyday people all around
Issue 4, May 2014
Westminster quay, with plenty of onlookers everywhere. According to Alan, it was lots of fun, if somewhat awkward with
everyday people all around watching and staring, instead of the usual cosplay and anime fans from a convention setting. A photo
shoot of this scale was a new thing for Alan and, as with any new thing, it's often uncomfortable. However, internet reaction
seemed to balance out the discomfort.
“When Ven put up the first photos, after the first day there were about six thousand reblogs on tumblr. Now it's up to over
fourteen thousand. It's surprising and flattering,” Alan remarked.
From his estimation, everyone involved in the shoot has attracted more followers on their respective blog sites and
Facebook.
“There have been a lot of positive comments,” he continued. “Most of them complimented [us on] how well we physically
matched the characters, but we've also gotten a lot of requests for another shoot and this has made my other interests [sushi
and Naginata] more popular.”
Part of the continued surprise and flattery over the fan reaction came in the form of fresh fan art. Cosplay fans began resketching some of the photos and are now creating new fan art based on this shoot.
I asked if they were planning to do another shoot with the fan requests coming in. He mentioned another possible shoot
for Animethon or possibly the Edmonton Expo.
“It's nice to see something so simple for fun could blow people out of the water like this. It's still fun, and at the end of the
day, it's totally worth it.”
CC Photo Credit: Milon Hall Photography
Model Credits: Alan McDougall, Ringo, Ven Tsun
“
It's nice to see
something so simple for
fun could blow people
out of the water like
this. - Alan McDougall
6
The long and short
(tail) of it: Edmonton's
International Cat
Festival
Written by Cheryl Cottrell-Smith | Images courtesy of Linda Hoang and the
Edmonton International Cat Fest
7
Issue 4, May 2014
Issue 4, May 2014
There is an audience for this kind of festival and
I'm actually surprised something like it hasn't been
done here. It really is a first-of-its-kind event in the
Edmonton area!
8
As the organizers of the Edmonton
International Cat Festival like to say, no--they're
not kitten you right meow. A cat festival is soon to
take place in our city. And, honestly, what with the
ridiculous amount of cat videos, cat photos, and
cat memes littered across the internet, you should
have seen this coming.
The #YEGCatFest will take place on June 7
and will feature a full day of cat-related events,
including an Internet Cat Video competition,
presentations from local cat enthusiasts, and
virtual appearances from three celebrity cats.
As if that isn’t enough to send you clicking
away at the Buy Tickets link, there will also be
food trucks in attendance.
One hundred percent of ticket sale profits,
along with any donations, will go directly to
support the Edmonton Humane Society, who will
also be on site at a booth (with cats).
It’s a veritable smeowrgasbord of feline
abundance.
To learn more about the event, we chatted
with Cat Fest Founder (and Cat’s Meow), Linda
Hoang, who gave us a breakdown of how she
came up with the idea for the festival and what we
came up with the idea for the festival and what we
can expect to see at the event.
What do you hope this
festival will achieve?
I want the festival to increase the profile and
popularity of cats and raise awareness for cat
welfare. I want the festival to bring like-minded
people together for a truly unique and special day.
I think there's a stereotype that cat people are
crazy or maybe not all that sociable but that's
really not the case. There are more and more cat
people today than there ever have been.
But really, it's just a great opportunity to get a
bunch of cat lovers out and celebrate these
animals that have become such a huge part of so
many people's lives and, at the same time,
helping an important non-profit organization.
How did you come up with
the idea for the Edmonton
International Cat Fest?
Tell us a little bit about the
The Edmonton International Cat Festival is
Cat Fest. What can cat lovers
inspired by the Walker Arts Internet Cat Video
expect to find?
The festival schedule is packed! The Festival will
Festival, which originated in Minnesota back in
feature a fun-filled line-up of international feline
2012. That festival - incredibly - drew a crowd of
footage (that's the Internet cat videos
more than 10,000 people!
People
love
cats.
part). There will be a local internet cat
I have always wanted to
The Internet loves
video contest with judging and prizes.
organize an event that involves
cats. Edmontonians
There will be a cat photo beauty
some of my passions, all while
love cats.
pageant where we will name a Mr. and
supporting a great cause, so
Mrs. Purr-fect. There will be fantastic
the idea to get cat lovers together for a big
presentations from local cat enthusiasts including
celebration while raising money for the Edmonton
topics such as: The Future is Meow: What's
Humane Society just fit.
Turning Us Into Cat People? (Omar Mouallem)
I was further inspired when I saw there would be
and How My Cat Video Went Viral and How Yours
a touring Canadian Internet Cat Video
Can Too! (Hilary Darrah)
Festival that started in Toronto this year.
We'll have a cat vendors 'market' where different
Edmonton wasn't on their list of stops, so that was
vendors will showcase and sell cat-related
sort of the final push. People love cats. The
products including CATMAN Furniture, catInternet loves cats. Edmontonians love cats.
themed jewellery, cat books, cat art prints, cat
There is an audience for this kind of festival and
“
Issue 4, May 2014
9
themed jewellery, cat books, cat art prints, cat
toys and accessories, and there will also be
information booths from the Humane
Society, NAIT Animal Health program, and
the Edmonton Cat Fanciers Club.
At those information booths we'll have actual cats
- some will be adoptable from the Humane
Society, the others - just as a nice addition to
displays - showing different cat breeds. We're
bringing in three of Edmonton's newest food
trucks - Afterbite Mobile Kitchen, Perogy
Princess and Attila the HUNgry, and there will be
(virtual) appearances from three very well-known
celebrity cats!
It really is a packed festival with something for all
cat lovers! I am so excited to be partnering with
the Edmonton Humane Society on this festival
and very grateful to NAIT Animal Health programs
for being our fantastic venue sponsor.
Are there any aspects of the event's program
that you think make this festival really stand
out?
The fact that we're bringing in celebrity cats albeit virtually - is a huge draw.
I think the presentations and "market/vendors"
component also makes this festival unique from
any other cat or cat video festival that exists. It
really is taking the core cat video/film festival idea
but expanding on it to include so much more.
There will be something for everyone and the fact
that it supports a terrific organization - the
Edmonton Humane Society - is just the icing on
the cake.
Why do you think it's important to foster cat
culture in Edmonton?
It’s alarming the number of cats who need homes,
live in shelters, and who aren't spayed and
neutered.
Improving cat welfare is a huge part of why it's
important to foster cat culture in Edmonton and I
think the internet and social media has been a
great way to do just that.
and very grateful to NAIT Animal Health programs
for being our fantastic venue sponsor.
Are there any aspects of the
event's program that you
think make this festival
really stand out?
The fact that we're bringing in celebrity cats albeit virtually - is a huge draw. I think the
presentations and "market/vendors" component
also makes this festival unique from any other cat
or cat video festival that exists. It really is taking
the core cat video/film festival idea but expanding
on it to include so much more. There will be
something for everyone and the fact that it
supports a terrific organization - the Edmonton
Humane Society - is just the icing on the cake.
Why do you think it's important to foster cat
culture in Edmonton?
It’s alarming the number of cats who need homes,
live in shelters, and who aren't spayed and
neutered.
Improving cat welfare is a huge part of why it's
important to foster cat culture in Edmonton and I
think the internet and social media has been a
great way to do just that.
I think the more we can celebrate and bring
attention to how wonderful these animals are and the more attention we can put on improving
cat welfare - the better. This festival will hopefully
do that, but also create some pretty special
connections among cat lovers in Edmonton - in a
very fun setting!
Quick Answers
Why do you think it's
important to foster cat
culture in Edmonton?
It’s alarming the number of cats who need homes,
live in shelters, and who aren't spayed and
neutered. Improving cat welfare is a huge part of
why it's important to foster cat culture in Edmonton
and I think the internet and social media has been
a great way to do just that. I think the more we
can celebrate and bring attention to how
wonderful these animals are - and the more
attention we can put on improving cat welfare the better. This festival will hopefully do that, but
also create some pretty special connections
among cat lovers in Edmonton - in a very fun
setting!
Quick Answers
Issue 4, May 2014
Edmonton International Cat Festival
June 7, 2014
10am-4pm
NAIT Shaw Theatre
RSVP on Facebook
@Lindork
Quick Answers
What is your favourite breed of cat?
Both of my cats are regular ol' tabbys and I
love them but long-hair breeds like Maine
Coons and Ragdolls are just gorgeous. I love
looking at them.
What's worse: furballs or cat hair on
your clothes?
Cat hair! I'm actually quite lucky my cats
never cough up furballs but I've got a lot of
cat hair.
Do you talk to your cat(s) as if they
were human?
Absolutely. I'm always talking to them and I
swear - they understand me!
Cat onesies: yea or nay?
Nay - but I do love most cat pants, shirts and
accessories!
10
And, the kicker: are cats better than
dogs?
Yes! But don't get me wrong - I love dogs,
too. Cats are just so funny and quirky and
clever.
Issue 4, May 2014
For Your
(Re)Consideration:
Zack Snyder’S
Watchmen (2009)
Written by Matt Bowes | Images courtesy of Warner Bros.
11
For as long as I can remember, the idea of a book somehow being
“unfilmable” has been fascinating to me. It’s a kind of value judgment,
isn’t it? That the lofty, printed word can in some special cases still be
completely unassailable by the coarse domain of film, at least for as long
as it takes for someone to actually end up attempting to do it. The new
millennium has so far had adaptations of multiple previously-thoughtunfilmable books finally reach the screen, with 2012 being a benchmark
that saw the Wachowskis’ adaptation of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas,
Ang Lee’s version of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, and David Cronenburg’s
attempt at replicating Don DeLillo’s dialogue in Cosmopolis.
Three years earlier found another book that up to that point had
only existed on the page reach the screen, after decades spent mired in
development hell: the classic comic miniseries that spawned an entire
decade of grim and gritty stories in its wake, Alan Moore and Dave
Gibbons’ Watchmen. Before Zack Snyder succeeded at finishing the
project, it passed through the hands of many talented people, including
Terry Gilliam, David “Solid Snake” Hayter, Darren Aronofsky and
Paul Greengrass. Snyder was hot off the heels of another comic
adaptation before Watchmen, the massively successful 300, and used
Paul Greengrass. Snyder was hot off
the heels of another comic adaptation
before Watchmen, the massively
successful 300, and used many of the
techniques developed on that film to
fill out the New York City of Moore
and Gibbons’ imagination.
Watchmen is a curious film, one
that interrogates the very idea of
adaptation and who it’s actually done
for. Many critics at the time found it
to be suffocating in its atmosphere of
atomic dread and those who were
familiar with the source material felt
that it adhered much too closely and
didn’t give itself room to breathe. To
me, though, the film is a triumph of
production design and style perfectly
matched to setting, equalling and in
many cases eclipsing much more
universally praised nerd culture
adaptations
like
Tim
Burton’s Batman (1989) or Peter
Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films.
The mid-eighties world portrayed
in Watchmen is a hairsbreadth away
from our own, with differences
starting when “themed” criminal
gangs in the Great Depression led to a
reciprocation from masked avengers
and mystery men. The most famous
crime fighting group was called the
Minutemen, who sadly found out that
their own hidden vices and the
vicissitudes of the cruel world would
see most of them dead by the 1950s.
The bulk of their story is related to the
viewer with great economy and style
in what I feel is Watchmen’s greatest
achievement: its opening credit
sequence.
It starts off with posed, almostbut-not-quite still life scenes detailing
the rise and fall of the Minutemen and
their descendants, the 1970s-era
Watchmen, intermixed with further
events that changed their history from
our own. The entire sequence is set to
12 Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are aChangin’,” which is potentially an
obvious choice, but a good shorthand
Changin’,” which is potentially an
obvious choice, but a good shorthand
for new viewers, and an artist who’s
continually referenced in the comic.
The same can be said about most of
the songs chosen for the soundtrack,
really--that they’re a bit on the nose-but I feel that this is crucial to help
ground viewers in the story’s altered
timeline (the use of Philip Glass’
“Pruit Igoe” and “Prophecies” in the
scene
where
Dr.
Manhattan
experiences his entire life story all at
once is another great melding of visual
and sound).
In addition to the great mise en
scene on display in the opening
sequence, the perfect realization of the
fun 1930s costumes, and the beautiful
cinematography, the thing I love most
about this sequence is the way each
scene is punctuated by flashbulbs and
the sound of camera lenses, soon to be
replaced by film and television footage
as time rolls on. In a film that is so tied
to its source material, this is an
interesting way of using movie
shorthand to get across how important
these people were, through the fact
that they’re constantly being followed
by the media.
There’s even a sly glimpse from a
police chief down the front of Silk
Spectre I’s blouse--blink and you’ll
miss it--that points to her status as a
pinup and sex symbol. The
omnipresent cameras also tie into the
media-saturated feel of the film to
come.
Another facet of the film, one that
provoked probably the biggest
reaction from critics at the time, was
Snyder’s use of speed-ramping during
some action scenes. While this
technique was used relatively
sparingly during the fight scenes
in 300, the same effect found mostly
derision in Watchmen. I feel that, like
the opening sequence and its almost
still life images, this is another attempt
by Snyder to emulate comic book style
Issue 4, May 2014
still life images, this is another attempt
by Snyder to emulate comic book style
without aping it entirely. The speed
ramping of Nite Owl II jumping
through the air to kick in a thug’s
head, or Ozymandias’ swinging of a
barrier post through the legs of a
potential
assassin…these
are
moments in which film and comic are
being combined to make something
new.
In
the
end,
I
find
that Watchmen potentially works
better for people who’ve not read the
book than people who have. Snyder’s
choice to basically use each frame of
the book as a storyboard for the
attendant scenes in the movie results
in a film that is difficult to talk about
in most respects without also
mentioning the comic source material.
It’s a translation, rather than an
adaptation, in much the same way as
Frank
Miller
and
Robert
Rodriguez’s Sin City mirrors the
original book in almost every way.
To me, the ideal comic book
adaptation is one that leaves you
wanting more, wanting to read the
original
source
material
and
appreciate it as well, but Watchmen for
the most part is a self-contained film
(apart from the terrible revision of the
ending, but let’s not get into that). I do
feel, though, that being in the dark and
gritty world of Watchmen was
potentially to Snyder’s detriment,
although it doesn’t appear to have hurt
him in the box office. When he went
on to helm last year’s Man of Steel, the
apocalyptic imagery and over-the-top
violence from his previous film
remained in his vocabulary and it
didn’t really mesh too well with
Superman’s image.
Hopefully, this is out of his system
now and his upcoming Justice
League films can have more of a sense
13 of optimism and awe.
Issue 4, May 2014
Issue 4, May 2014
Win COMICS!
Who doesn’t love free comics? Enter
our contest for your chance to win a
$50 gift card to Happy Harbor
Comics!
All you have to do is follow the pulp
on Twitter or like us on Facebook,
then tweet/post the following:
“I want @thepulppress to give me
FREE COMIC BOOKS!”
Draw will be made on June 8, 2014.
Only posts that link to the pulp’s
social pages (using @thepulppress)
will qualify.
thepulppress.com | @thepulppress | facebook.com/thepulppress
14
Issue 4, May 2014
What defines
an excellent
teacher and
who has the
right to
decide?
Written by Kelsey Beier | Image courtesy of iStockPhoto and skynesher
Any former readers of my previous
articles on hipster identification, mean 6year-old girls, and cat voices may be a
little surprised in my choice of this
particular politically potent topic;
however, it is a subject that’s near and dear
to my heart and I couldn’t possibly leave it
unwritten.
On May 5, 2014, Alberta Education
Minister Jeff Johnson released a report on
the Task Force for Teaching Excellence, in
which 25 recommendations for teachers,
administrators, and Alberta’s educational
system as a whole were outlined. A few of
these recommendations include forcing
Alberta teachers to be recertified every 5
years, removing administration from the
Alberta Teacher’s Association and
15 therefore replacing school leaders with
managers, allowing other professions to
teach without a teaching certificate, and
therefore replacing school leaders with
managers, allowing other professions to
teach without a teaching certificate, and
basing teacher salaries on merit pay based
on teacher "competency," to name a few.
The release of this report led to my
obvious questioning of what the definition
of an excellent teacher is and who could
possibly be granted the responsibility of
making that decision. Could I consider
myself an excellent teacher?
I am currently in my fourth year of
teaching and I have been fortunate enough
to receive my permanent teaching
certificate, as well as a permanent position
at an amazing school in a great school
district. Call me crazy, but I have been led
to believe that my earning of my
permanent certificate was purposeful and
carefully considered by my very
intelligent
and
experienced
permanent certificate was purposeful and
carefully considered by my very
intelligent and experienced
administration.
Saying this, I have never truly felt that
I was “in the clear” in terms of never
having to prove my strengths and
weaknesses as a teacher in the classroom.
Conversely, I actually strive towards
excellence in my own way every day and
crave regular feedback, both positive and
negative. This feedback can be hard to get
at times because of the nature of teaching
and the obstacles that come with it;
however, I do believe that good
administrators will make it happen without
a legislated forced 5-year recertification of
a document that has already been
granted. In all honesty, some of the best
feedback that I do receive comes from the
students that I currently teach or have
Issue 4, May 2014
16
granted. In all honesty, some of the best
feedback that I do receive comes from the
students that I currently teach or have
taught in the past, as well as my colleagues
and peers.
Even as a fourth-year teacher, I would
still very much consider myself a beginner
in the profession. There is always so much
to learn, regardless of how many times you
may have taught a particular lesson or
concept, and it always feels like you could
be doing so much more. Many of the
amazing and excellent teachers I know are
constantly criticizing themselves and their
teaching practice and looking for new
ways to facilitate learning while always
putting the students’ needs first, even
before their own on occasion.
At times, I feel like I am doing an
extremely crumby job as a teacher. For
example, it never fails that an
administrator will come to check in at the
exact moment when an average of 5 of
your students are having a meltdown for a
variety of different reasons. (Someone
stole their pencil sharpener and won’t give
it back; they don’t want to wear their
indoor shoes because they are too
“scratchy”; one child decided to hit
another but the offender is also crying;
another student forgot to bring their library
books back; etc.) Thankfully, having an
administrator who is also a classroom
teacher and “gets it” allows for these
minor crises to be attended to and
dismissed, allowing for the recognition of
the other 20 students writing full sentences
in French independently, or the fact that
after only a few weeks these 6-year-olds
can successfully manage and organize
their materials and know where to put
them.
And then there are the times when I do
consider myself an excellent teacher. Like
on certain Fridays when I teach all day,
mark 26 spelling tests, stuff Friday
Envelopes
with
information
and
classroom newsletters to go home, finish
planting 26 flower pots for Mother’s
Day gifts, listen to 10 emergent readers
planting 26 flower pots for Mother’s Day
gifts, listen to 10 emergent readers actually
reading, and meet with 3 different families
after school. Or days like last Thursday
when I didn’t eat lunch or go to the
bathroom until 3:35pm because I was so
involved in activities with the kids.
But the times when I know without a
doubt that I am an excellent teacher are
when my students cannot wait to come to
school every day and plea to stay and help
at the end of the day. Or when certain
students would rather stay in and work
over recess because they are on a roll and
don’t want to stop! Or when my grade one
students claim that I am the best teacher
they have ever had (even though they have
only had two teachers thus far in their
school careers). Similarly, I know that my
coworkers are excellent teachers because
the Jr. High students come back to checkin with their former teachers on a regular
basis and because our school hallways are
seldom quiet and, when they are, the staff
feel a little more empty and unsure of their
purpose.
And for all that it’s worth, for an
excellent teacher, after an extremely
challenging day in the teaching world, no
amount of merit pay will make the day
worth it. But what will make it worth it is
the knowledge that your administrators
and colleagues are on your side and they
all have a similar understanding of the
profession and they know that you are still
excellent.
Edmonton’s
Highlands
Junior High
School
Canadians
flock to buy
Justice League
United #1
Written by Russ Dobler | Images courtesy
of DC Comics
In the wake of DC Comics’ sevenpart Forever Evil crossover event, there’s a new
Justice League team to save the world from
cosmic threats, and they’re singing “O Canada”
instead of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Justice League United #1 hit comic shops
continent-wide on May 14, featuring Adam Strange,
a character freshly introduced to the New 52
continuity and reimagined as a University of
Toronto anthropology professor. The book is
drawn by artist Mike McKone and penned by Jeff
Lemire, a Canuck himself. The JLU character
line-up includes League mainstays Hawkman and
Martian Manhunter, two characters whose
exploits Lemire has written of before in Green
Arrow and Animal Man, and a new creation named
The reaction
to Cree Indian girl whose
Equinox,
a 16-year-old
the
book’s
powers are related to the four seasons.
"The launch
reaction in
to the book’s launch in Edmonton
Edmonton
comic stores has been overwhelmingly positive."
comic stores
Justice
Leaguehas United replaces the
been
canceled Justice League of America, which was
overwhelmingly
authored until issue #8 by DC’s Chief Creative
positive.
Officer Geoff Johns, who recently revitalized
the Green Lantern franchise. The new addition was
originally announced in August of 2013 under the
name Justice League Canada, but shifted to its
current title in January of this year to reflect a
change in the story’s scope to become a more
swashbuckling, space-based adventure.
“
17
Issue 4, May 2014
Lemire, a Canuck himself. The JLU character lineup includes League mainstays Hawkman and
Martian Manhunter, two characters whose
exploits Lemire has written of before in Green
Arrow and Animal Man, and a new creation named
Equinox, a 16-year-old Cree Indian girl whose
powers are related to the four seasons.
Justice League United replaces the
canceled Justice League of America, which was
authored until issue #8 by DC’s Chief Creative
Officer Geoff Johns, who recently revitalized
the Green Lantern franchise. The new addition was
originally announced in August of 2013 under the
name Justice League Canada, but shifted to its
current title in January of this year to reflect a
change in the story’s scope to become a more
swashbuckling, space-based adventure.
Despite the marketing sidestep, the reaction
to the book’s launch in Edmonton comic stores has
been overwhelmingly positive.
“Jeff Lemire does a great job,” says
Andrea Brown of Happy Harbor Comics. Brown
was a little skeptical after reading April’s #0
preview issue, saying that it contained too many
Canadian stereotypes, including an overuse of
“eh” and “aboot.” She says that’s not as prevalent
in #1, adding that the characters “kick a little more
ass” this time, too.
Brandon Schatz, manager of Wizard’s Comics
and Collectibles on 109th Street, also sings
Lemire’s praises, calling Justice League United a
classic-style comic story for a modern reader.
Schatz says the launch has “gone over quite well,”
despite the fact that “DC’s sales record has been
a lot softer lately.” Wizard’s ordered more copies
of the #1 issue than they would for the typical
debut, and Schatz says the demand has been
strong enough that they’ll increase their orders
for issues #2 and 3, also. Like issue #1, variants
of those editions will be available with the
originally intended Justice League Canada trade
dress, the more popular cover at both Happy
Andrea Brown of Happy Harbor Comics.
Brown was a little skeptical after reading April’s
#0 preview issue, saying that it contained too
many Canadian stereotypes, including an overuse
of “eh” and “aboot.” She says that’s not as
prevalent in #1, adding that the characters “kick a
little more ass” this time, too.
Brandon Schatz, manager of Wizard’s Comics and
Collectibles on 109th Street, also sings Lemire’s
praises, calling Justice League United a classicstyle comic story for a modern reader. Schatz
says the launch has “gone over quite well,” despite
the fact that “DC’s sales record has been a lot
softer lately.” Wizard’s ordered more copies of the
#1 issue than they would for the typical debut, and
Schatz says the demand has been strong enough
that they’ll increase their orders for issues #2
and 3, also. Like issue #1, variants of those
editions will be available with the originally
intended Justice League Canada trade dress, the
more popular cover at both Happy Harbor and
Wizard’s Comics.
Harbor and Wizard’s Comics.
On May 18th, a stack of the special #1’s sat
seemingly untouched at Main Street Comics in
Middletown, N.Y., though, where only 13 of the 50
issues ordered had been sold at the time. Brian
Deyo, owner of 3rd Universe Comic Emporium in
Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., says there the Justice
League United launch has been “average,” adding
that the “regular collectors picked it up,” but the
book hasn’t been more sought after than similar
debuts.
"JLU will have to perform well not just in Canada,
but south of the border in the U.S., too, if it’s going
to survive the currently tough comics market."
JLU will have to perform well not just in Canada,
but south of the border in the U.S., too, if it’s going
to survive the currently tough comics market.
While other factors are sometimes taken into
account, sales made through Diamond Comic
Distributors seem to be a good indicator of
impending cancellations, and those numbers only
reflect American purchases. Fortunately for
“
18
Issue 4, May 2014
JLU will have to perform well not just in Canada, but
south of the border in the U.S., too, if it’s going to
survive the currently tough comics market.
Harbor and Wizard’s Comics.
On May 18th, a stack of the special #1’s sat
seemingly untouched at Main Street Comics in
Middletown, N.Y., though, where only 13 of the 50
issues ordered had been sold at the time. Brian
Deyo, owner of 3rd Universe Comic Emporium in
Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y., says there the Justice
League United launch has been “average,” adding
that the “regular collectors picked it up,” but the
book hasn’t been more sought after than similar
debuts.
JLU will have to perform well not just in
Canada, but south of the border in the U.S., too, if
it’s going to survive the currently tough comics
market. While other factors are sometimes taken
into account, sales made through Diamond Comic
Distributors seem to be a good indicator of
impending cancellations, and those numbers only
reflect American purchases. Fortunately for
Lemire and DC, issue #0 was ranked 11th overall in
April, selling over 68,000 copies. It remains to be
seen how much usual attrition rates will bring that
number down.
It may not ultimately work out for Justice
League United. DC’s friendly rival, Marvel Comics,
stacked the deck in favor of a new series for Alpha
Flight – their own Canadian superteam – when
they launched it out of the “Fear Itself” event in
2011 with fan-favorite writer Fred Van Lente and
popular artist Dale Eaglesham. The plug was pulled
on that volume after nine issues due to low sales.
But maybe nine issues isn’t so bad when
properties not tied to movie franchises seem
harder to come by. Only time will tell how
long Justice League United lasts but, in the
meantime, much of Edmonton aims to enjoy it.
“Nearly all our DC readers have subscribed
to it,” says Brown.
The cropped pants craze
Issue 4, May 2014
Written by Teresa Simmons | Image courtesy of Vogue and Crippens
What could be more hipster than wearing a
cropped hipster? The weather is heating
up, so cool down with a stylish pair of
cropped pants. Before you go out and get
your hands on a pair (or two) of them,
though, let’s sit down, have a cup of coffee
and get acquainted with what
you need to know before you
treat yourself and your
wardrobe to a pair of cropped
pants.
Pattern
Choosing the right pattern
involves knowing what you
want to say about your
personality. Are you a fun,
creative adrenaline junkie
who enjoys crazy rollercoaster rides and cotton
candy? Go for gingham
cropped pants—they have
“adventurous” written all
over them. Do you only watch
black and white films, drink
espresso and stay up late
reading
classic
novels?
Houndstooth-patterned
cropped pants are calling your
name. The pattern you
choose should reflect your
character, so choose sensibly.
Some advice: unless you’re a
golf-fanatic,
don’t
go
anywhere near argyle.
Length
The thing about cropped pants
is that there is a risk of
selecting a pair that’s too
19
cropped (or not cropped
enough). Confusing? I know,
selecting a pair that’s too cropped (or not
cropped enough). Confusing? I know, but
I’ll explain. Cropped pants should hit right
around your ankle. If you’re tall, go for a
pair that is slightly shorter to avoid looking
like you outgrew your pants years ago or
couldn’t find pants that fit.
But if you go too short, your cropped pants
could end up looking like Capri pants. All
you have to do is remember that cropped
pants should be a lot longer than shorts and
a few inches shorter than dress pants. Easypeasy.
Fit
"What you are going for are clean, welltailored cropped pants that flatter your
figure and shape."
High-waisted cropped pants can look good.
Just make sure that they aren’t too high. If
they’re hovering somewhere close to your
bra strap, this means that they are, of
course, much too high. And, most likely,
very uncomfortable. Select a pair that has
some structure from the top to bottom.
Pleated cropped pants are an absolute nono! You don’t want to look like you’re
carrying a baby kangaroo. What you are
going for are clean, well-tailored cropped
pants that flatter your figure and shape. If
they don’t look good, don’t wear them. It’s
that simple. High-waisted pants aren’t for
everyone, so low-rise or mid-rise cropped
pants are also great options.
Enjoy the versatility of cropped pants and
flaunt your personality with an eyecatching pattern.
CC Photo Credit: Crippen and Vogue
couldn’t find pants that fit.
But if you go too short, your cropped pants
could end up looking like Capri pants. All
you have to do is remember that cropped
pants should be a lot longer than shorts and
a few inches shorter than dress pants. Easypeasy.
Fit
High-waisted cropped pants
can look good. Just make sure
that they aren’t too high. If
they’re hovering somewhere
close to your bra strap, this
means that they are, of course,
much too high. And, most
likely, very uncomfortable.
Select a pair that has some
structure from the top to
bottom.
Pleated cropped pants are an
absolute no-no! You don’t
want to look like you’re
carrying a baby kangaroo.
What you are going for are
clean, well-tailored cropped
pants that flatter your figure
and shape. If they don’t look
good, don’t wear them. It’s
that simple. High-waisted
pants aren’t for everyone, so
low-rise or mid-rise cropped
pants are also great options.
Enjoy the versatility of cropped
pants
and
flaunt
your
personality with an eyecatching pattern.
But if you go too short, your cropped pants
could end up looking like Capri pants. All
you have to do is remember that cropped
pants should be a lot longer than shorts and
Issue 4, May 2014
20
Issue 4, May 2014
The Arrogance of
Man: Gareth
Edwards’ Godzilla
Written by Erin Fraser | Images courtesy of Warner Bros.
21
The monster known as Gojira first stomped his way onscreen in 1954, nine years after the atomic bombings of
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan, the first country affected by
nuclear warfare, embraced and identified with the lumbering
creature born of similarly nuclear origins. A new monster was
born for an uncertain modern era.
In the sixty years since the film’s release, the titular monster,
dubbed Godzilla in the West, has appeared in no less than twentynine feature films and countless spinoffs and tie-in media. Over
the course of his cinematic career, Godzilla has fought a variety
of daikaiju (Japanese for giant strange creature) and robotic
nemeses. His characterization has also undergone a variety of
significant changes over the years: from the horrific
manifestation of Japan’s collective trauma, to a sympathetic
antihero and eventually even a superhero, before reverting back
to an allegory for the consequences of playing with science
beyond our control.
With the release of 2004’s Godzilla: Final Wars, which
marked the 50th anniversary of the franchise, Toho, Co., the
Japanese film distributor that created and owns the rights to
Godzilla, stated that they would not produce another film in the
series for ten years. Now in 2014, we see the fulfilment of this
promise with the release of a new film. But rather than being
another instalment in the ongoing Japanese series, Toho has
licensed the character to American production companies
Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures to reboot the
character for an international audience.
After
the
disaster
of
Roland
Emmerich’s
1998 Godzilla (which Toho cleverly retconned away in Final
Wars) the challenge faced by a new American film is that it not
only has to reintroduce Godzilla to a Western audience, but argue
for its own relevancy. To helm their new Godzilla, Legendary and
Warner Bros. smartly hired Gareth Edwards, a hotshot British
indie director whose sole previous film, Monsters, examined the
sociopolitical and psychological impacts of a large monster
attack through a pair of humans stuck on the ground in the
Issue 4, May 2014
child he loses his mother in a strange and
sociopolitical and psychological impacts of a
unexplainable nuclear disaster at a power
large monster attack through a pair of
plant in Japan. Years later, his father,
humans stuck on the ground in the
emotionally wrecked and traumatized by the
aftermath.
experience, drags Ford away from his own
With the film’s arrival in theatres,
wife (Elizabeth Olsen, also soon to be
Edwards’ Godzilla is being highly
of Avengers: Age of Ultron fame) and son in
scrutinized by critics, fans, and filmgoers
San Francisco and back to Japan, into the
alike. Not only does the film have to deliver
path of a Massive Unidentified Terrestrial
the classic monster action and destruction
Organism, or MUTO, that is responsible for
that typifies the genre, which is arguably the
his mother’s death.
aspect of the film that will drive ticket sales,
This MUTO’s awakening is the catalyst
but it also needs to make us as an audience
for the film’s action and also
care about the subject matter.
succeeds in finally destroying
While 1954’s Godzilla is
Ford’s original family by
built on a less-than-subtle
The challenge faced by a
taking the life of his father.
allegory, it does not lack
new American film is that
On the other side of the world
sophistication
in
its
it not only has to
from the only remaining
approach. The success of
reintroduce Godzilla to a
members of his family, he
this latest instalment relies
Western audience, but
must both follow and stop the
heavily on Edwards’ ability
argue for its own
monster as it heads towards
to recapture the horror and
relevancy
California. Thus the nuclear
significance of the original.
monster threatens the nuclear family.
Luckily, Edwards’ Godzilla is as good of
The MUTOs themselves mirror Ford’s
a movie as we could have hoped for. He
journey. Awakened and nurtured by man’s
deftly balances the themes of scientific and
own foolish misuse of atomic technology,
natural destruction with the human element
their primary goal becomes to hatch and
reacting and coping to forces beyond their
provide for their offspring, to reunite and
control. The predominantly grey colour
start a family of their own. They are not
palette evokes the original film’s dark
malevolent towards humanity, but their
appearance, while also setting the tone for
presence threatens to destroy the Earth’s
the messy, contemporary environmental and
balance. Godzilla arrives to restore that
sociopolitical concerns. He presents much of
balance.
the destructive action through the lenses of
"Godzilla serves a reminder of the
windows, which puts the audience inside of
responsibility we have towards maintaining
the experience and provides points of
this planet, a responsibility that we more
identification, but also through news
often than not ignore in favour of our own
reporting after the fact, which mirrors how
selfish motives."
we collectively engage with large scale
In 2014, Godzilla is no longer the dangerous
disasters nowadays. The focus is primarily
creation of man’s folly, as in the ’54 film, but
on servicemen and women, those that fulfill
as his Anglicized name suggests, a God risen
their duty in a time of crisis, much like our
from the depths. Edwards’ Godzilla is a
real-world understanding of heroes after
stabilizing force; he brings balance back to
such events.
the world as Ken Wantanabe’s Dr. Ishiro
The film follows a US Navy officer, Ford
Serizawa (named after the doctor in the
Brody (Aaron Taylor-Johnson of Kickoriginal film) so eloquently predicts. Like the
Ass fame and soon to be of Avengers: Age of
men and women at the centre of the film,
Ultron fame) who stands witness to the
Godzilla is fulfilling his duty.
monsters’ eventual war and humanity’s
While he is ultimately a hero in the film,
countermeasures. Throughout the film,
he is also a symbol of the horror and
Ford’s family is broken up by the monsters;
uncertainty in the world; the humans on the
to bring it back together and make it whole
ground and us as an audience are invited to
once more, he has to follow them until the
look at him with awe. He serves as a
threat they present is extinguished. As a
22 child he loses his mother in a strange and reminder of the responsibility we have
towards maintaining this planet, a
unexplainable nuclear disaster at a power
responsibility that we more often than not
plant in Japan. Years later, his father,
“
Reminder of the responsibility we have
towards maintaining this planet, a
responsibility that we more often than not
ignore in favour of our own selfish motives.
Godzilla is a primal being who could just
as easily destroy as he protects, all in the
service of a higher balance that humans
threaten to upset. His awakening is also a
warning. As he returns to the sea he arrived
from, the news aptly questions whether or
not he is the saviour of the city. He has
defeated the MUTOs, but he doesn’t care for
San Francisco or man as he leaves a path of
destruction in his wake.
Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla maintains the
integrity of the original film while adapting
the story and the themes to our
contemporary situation and concerns. The
film is powerful because it invites the
audience to identify with the action, while
also delivering a haunting message that
reinforces our own terrifying insignificance
and hubris: as Dr. Sarazawa says, “The
arrogance of man is thinking that nature is in
their control and not the other way around.”
Issue 4, May 2014
What to Read: the work
of Naoki Urasawa
Written by cbwcaswell | Images courtesy of
MangaBlog and Good Ok Bad
I had never read a comic like Grant
Morrison’s Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on
Serious Earth. It was the first to justify the term
“graphic novel” for me, because the scope of the
narrative, visual expression, and deft understanding
of the philosophical symbolism of the Batman
characters were beyond what you typically find in
North American comics. After all, DC and Marvel
create universes where characters remain static and
the world you leave with is the same as the one you
entered. It essentially got me into comics.
And I had never really appreciated anime until
I saw Porco Rosso by Hayao Miyazaki. It watched
like a Hemingway novel, with subtle characters but
an unspoken magic that hovers behind every
conversation and long shot into the distance. This
wasn’t Digimon. It was an adult narrative that didn’t
really resolve, but just concluded. It got me into
anime.
I had started reading Naruto, Bleach, and One
Piece in my mid-teens, so I was familiar with the
narrative formula in what seemed to be all Japanese
comics (most popularly encapsulated in Dragon Ball
Z’s Goku, leap-frogging antagonists by gaining a
more powerful form or upgraded abilities, until what
started as a Spirit Bomb becomes a Spirit Sun by
the end of the series). Like most, I got bored as I
got older. Luffy had stretched too far, Ichigo’s sword
lost its edge, and Naruto was little more than a
shadow or a clone of the series that had come
before. I wanted something with emotional depth
and real characters—that challenged me as a
reader, and could surprise me with its…well, it
23 wouldn’t be a surprise if I knew. Then, one of Naoki
Urasawa’s stories came across my reading list.
“
Like most, I got bored as I got older.
Luffy had stretched too far, Ichigo’s
sword lost its edge, and Naruto was
little more than a shadow or a clone
of the series that had come before.
wouldn’t be a surprise if I knew. Then, one of Naoki
Urasawa’s stories came across my reading list.
A friend told me about Pluto, one of Urasawa’s
later works, and I was hooked at the concept: “A
mature, modernized retelling of Astro Boy.” I had
never read Osamu Tezuka’s original collections, but
knew enough about the character to imagine an
author could take it somewhere new—or at least
create some cool guns. I had no idea how much I
author could take it somewhere new—or at least
create some cool guns. I had no idea how much I
was underestimating the work.
The art showed such depth of expression. I
had never seen it in any comic, Eastern or Western.
The emotions were minute and complex. The
world’s sci-fi elements were all expertly crafted
(whether that be the cars or weapons, or the heavy
Asimovian musing on the state of robotics in our
future, and their bordering on humanity). But what
captured me was the fact that character drama and
mystery were the central elements of the plot. It
wasn’t what I expected. Astro isn’t even the main
protagonist until halfway through the narrative’s 65
chapters (or eight books).
I would later learn how the entire collection reflects
not only story elements from the original but how
actual panels are drawn to reflect shots from
Tezuka’s original telling. The drawing was simple
but dramatic and the layout was cinematic. Each
chapter slid into the next; I hardly noticed that I had
finished the series in two days. I ordered it
immediately and read it again when it arrived (the
Viz media translation was even better than the .rip I
had found online).
I wanted more. As Pluto was one of his latest works
(started
in that
2003)beIthe
jumped
some of orhistheearlier
(whether
cars orto weapons,
heavy
projects.
Monster
wasonanother
storyofthat
had mein atour
Asimovian
musing
the state
robotics
itsfuture,
Wikipedia
Summarized,
it follows
and description.
their bordering
on humanity).
But the
what
story
of a Japanese
surgeon
whocharacter
lives in Germany.
captured
me was the
fact that
drama and
Hemystery
saves the
a childelements
who had ofbeen
werelifetheof central
the shot.
plot. It
Years
by andI expected.
the boy notAstro
onlyisn’t
turnseven
out tothebemain
a
wasn’tgo what
sociopathic
murderer,
but
he
has
framed
the
protagonist until halfway through the narrative’s 65
surgeon
for(or
his eight
crimes.
The surgeon, pursued by the
chapters
books).
lawI would
and numerous
others,
findcollection
the murderer
later learn how themust
entire
reflects
Issue 4, May 2014
24
chapters (or eight books).
I would later learn how the entire collection
reflects not only story elements from the original but
how actual panels are drawn to reflect shots from
Tezuka’s original telling. The drawing was simple
but dramatic and the layout was cinematic. Each
chapter slid into the next; I hardly noticed that I had
finished the series in two days. I ordered it
immediately and read it again when it arrived (the
Viz media translation was even better than the .rip I
had found online).
I wanted more. As Pluto was one of his latest
works (started in 2003) I jumped to some of his
earlier projects. Monster was another story that had
me at its Wikipedia description. Summarized, it
follows the story of a Japanese surgeon who lives
in Germany. He saves the life of a child who had
been shot. Years go by and the boy not only turns
out to be a sociopathic murderer, but he has framed
the surgeon for his crimes. The surgeon, pursued by
the law and numerous others, must find the
murderer and not only clear his name, but end the
life of the man he had saved so many years ago.
The cast for Monster triples in size compared
to that of Pluto, but every character is completely
fleshed out. While some were more selfish than
others, more manipulative, every position was
defensible, begging the postmodernist question if
what is right or wrong is only subjective, a matter of
positioning. This mirrors the initial propulsion of the
story—whether it was right to save the life of an
innocent child who would become a killer—and
continues with each character. The story is over 160
chapters, each filled with real people that struggle
with unanswerable moral quandaries. You want the
characters to succeed in one situation where in the
next chapter you’re begging that they fail.
I was stunned when I was finished. It was like
watching a Guy Ritchie film, as the narratives all
finally weave together and tie themselves into a
complete and solid knot. I had to start a third series,
Issue 4, May 2014
finally weave together and tie themselves into a
complete and solid knot. I had to start a third series,
just to see if what I’d read had been Urasawa’s
fortunate few flukes. And by simple chance, I landed
on his opus.
The title 20th Century Boys had intrigued me
and I wouldn’t find out until halfway through my
reading that the name had been borrowed from a
song by T. Rex—the band better known for their
track “Bang a Gong (Get it On)”—but the heavy
leanings of rock and roll were apparent from the
start. A recurring scene throughout the series is the
protagonist sneaking into his principal’s office as a
child, locking himself in, and playing rock and roll
over the school’s intercom. A glorious moment of
rebellion and self-will, but stranger still is that the
story always stays the same. No one reacted, or
seemed to even notice what had happened, and
nothing changed.
The first chapter begins with a group of
Japanese children, all boys in elementary school,
who create a clubhouse. For their club, they make
a symbol, a hand drawn over an eye, similar to a
hieroglyph. The reader then jumps twenty years
ahead, and watches as a cult meets in an
auditorium, waiting for their prophet. A man steps
out from behind the stage curtain, wearing a mask
that sports the same hand-over-eye insignia as the
clubhouse icon. As the series progresses, the cult
begins to take over the world and is central in a
string of murders that the boys who formed the
original club take upon themselves to solve. They
have to, as the leader of the cult was one of the
boys in the original club. And so the mystery of
which one it is begins.
Over the next 262 chapters, the story is split
into three eras: when the clubhouse of children are
in elementary school, after they have graduated
college, and when they are middle-aged. Every era
holds a different clue as to who is behind this cult
25
and what its ultimate motives are and, from
beginning to end, every age crisscrosses as the
holds a different clue as to who is behind this cult
and what its ultimate motives are and, from
beginning to end, every age crisscrosses as the
mystery
is
uncovered.
The
cast
doubles Monster and, again, every character is
given depth and complexity. Music plays a central
role, with factoids parsed out about Robert Johnson
and other figures in the history of rock.
A recurring
scene throughout
The protagonist
becomes
a messiah-likethefigure.
Some series
chapters
is thebecome
protagonist
Lovecraftian
sneaking
and the
mystery
remains
a
mystery
until
the
very
end. But
into his principal’s office as a child,
you’re never really reading to find out who it is. You
locking himself in, and playing rock
just want to watch these characters.
and roll over the school’s intercom. A
The story is ultimately about who we become as
rebellion
adults,glorious
what wemoment
choose toof leave
behindand
as we
mature,
self-will,
and some
but stranger
of the things
stillthat
is that
we should
the
always hold
on to,
like hope
andthe
rebellion
and things
story
always
stays
same."
to believe in. All encompassed in loud drums and
distorted guitars.
From the characters to the drama to the art,
everything about Urasawa’s work is beyond the
scope of what we find in pop manga. And this has
not been a suggestion to read Urasawa: it’s a
directive. And I feel free to recommend any of
Urasawa’s work, regardless of whether I’ve read
them, because I know that at the heart of everything
he writes is the care to make complete characters
and base the readers' interest in their internal
drama, not just how large their sword will become.
After all, we all know that, for most manga, the next
arc will end with the hero just getting a bigger Spirit
Bomb.
“
and other figures in the history of rock.
The protagonist becomes a messiah-like
figure. Some chapters become Lovecraftian and the
mystery remains a mystery until the very end. But
you’re never really reading to find out who it is. You
just want to watch these characters.
The story is ultimately about who we become
as adults, what we choose to leave behind as we
mature, and some of the things that we should
always hold on to, like hope and rebellion and things
to believe in. All encompassed in loud drums and
distorted guitars.
From the characters to the drama to the art,
everything about Urasawa’s work is beyond the
scope of what we find in pop manga. And this has
not been a suggestion to read Urasawa: it’s a
directive. And I feel free to recommend any of
Urasawa’s work, regardless
of whether I’ve read them,
because I know that at the
heart of everything he writes
is the care to make complete
characters and base the
readers' interest in their
internal drama, not just how
large their sword will become.
After all, we all know that, for
most manga, the next arc will
end with the hero just getting
a bigger Spirit Bomb.
Issue 4, May 2014
26
Issue 4, May 2014
Cosplay,
consent, and
the 2014
Calgary Expo
27
There’s a fine line between enjoying
someone’s cosplay and making the
assumption that bare skin is an invitation to
touch. Unfortunately, a shocking number of
people don’t see the difference between the
two, which is why this year the Calgary
Expo took pains to stress the fact that sexual
harassment—in any form—would not be
tolerated.
Their campaign, entitled ‘Cosplay is
Not Consent’, consisted of posters, a fiveminute video, and the presence of Calgary
Communities Against Sexual Abuse
(CCASA), who had a booth at the Stampede
Park throughout the entire event.
The basic premise of the campaign was
to emphasize the fact that cosplay, no
matter how overly-sexualized, is not a
suggestive invitation for sexual acts, lewd
comments, or groping.
The Calgary Expo, as Canada’s second
largest comic and entertainment exhibition,
regularly plays host to a number of attendees
outfitted in elaborate, excessive, and
sometimes revealing costumes—on both
largest comic and entertainment exhibition,
regularly plays host to a number of attendees
outfitted in elaborate, excessive, and
sometimes revealing costumes—on both
men and women. The level of effort in some
cases is astounding: this year saw characters
such as Mr. and Mrs. Bane, shirtless Goku,
and a remarkably accurate Jessica Rabbit.
Bare chests, cleavage, and naked thighs
might have been in abundance, but the
Cosplay is Not Consent campaign seemed to
have made its point. A number of cosplayers
and attendees at the convention expressed
their surprise that people seemed more
respectful this year.
“I certainly noticed a big difference this
year in people asking politely if they could
take photos of me in costume rather than
just snapping them without asking,”
said
Deez
Wallis,
illustrator
for Rocketfuel interactive entertainment.
“It was awesome to see so many women be
confident in their costumes; I didn't hear
about anyone misbehaving either, so I'm
really happy about the campaign,”
“
Cosplay, no matter
how overly-sexualized,
is not a suggestive
invitation for sexual
acts, lewd comments,
or groping
Written by Cheryl Cottrell-Smith | Images courtesy of Vivid Vision
and The Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo | Models Vicky Lau
and Lindsay Elyse
“It was awesome to see so many women
be confident in their costumes; I didn't hear
about anyone misbehaving either, so I'm
really happy about the campaign,”
said Andrea Brown, Happy Harbor
Comics employee and co-founder of LADY
GEEKs uNITE (#LGNYEG).
“I knew if I felt uncomfortable or
unsafe I could say something to Expo staff
and that it wouldn't be tolerated and I
wouldn't be blamed/shamed for my
cosplay,” said Sylvia Douglas, co-founder of
#LGNYEG and employee at Happy Harbor
Comics, FAVA, and the Walterdale Theatre.
“I didn't cosplay but I still felt it was
effective. You are well aware that there was
no tolerance for lewd behaviour and that you
can easily reach out to con officials for help,”
said Stephanie Chan, Art Director
for Sequential Tart web zine.
Edmonton-based cosplayer, model, and
photographer, Vicky Lau, is the co-founder
of Vivid Vision Photography, where she
spends a lot of time working with scantilyclad cosplayers and models. After her
photographer, Vicky Lau, is the co-founder
of Vivid Vision Photography, where she
spends a lot of time working with scantilyclad cosplayers and models. After her
experience manning the Animethon booth at
the Calgary Expo this year, she has no doubt
of the effectiveness of the Cosplay is Not
Consent campaign.
“This year I wore more revealing
outfits, so I was expecting attendees to be
touchier,” said Vicky.
“But out of everyone that came up to
me to ask for a photo, I only had one person
that “touched” me. And when I mean touch,
they just wrapped their arms around my
waist. The rest of the con-goers that asked
me for photos either just stood there beside
me, or just used hover hands! I feel that
people are more respectful this year from the
experiences I had.”
While this particular sexual harassment
campaign has appeared to make its mark on
a very well-attended convention, the future
of cosplay rights is yet to be determined. The
fact of the matter is that many people use
overly-sexualized fictional characters for
masturbatory purposes. Seeing real-life
incarnations of these characters may make it
difficult for them to realize where to draw
the line.
Which is, of course, no excuse for sexual
harassment, but it’s an interesting
quandary. There’s nothing wrong with
fantasies, but when those fantasies infringe
upon the rights of a stranger, it creates a
clear problem.
As long as sexual harassment issues
continue to be taken seriously at pop culture
conventions, cosplayers will hopefully feel
increasingly safe in expressing themselves
through costume.
“I've had major issues at past
conventions
with
harassment
and
inappropriate comments,” said Deez.
“This year, I didn't have any issues at
all and it was great. I really think the
campaign has helped bring awareness to the
issue and let costumers feel more confident
and safe about being at the con.”
28
“
I feel that people are
more respectful this
year from the
experiences I had
- Vicky Lau
Issue 4, May 2014
Our Fictional
Future: Oligarchy
29
A very important news item went
relatively unreported for the most part last
month, as a new study currently being
submitted for publication by professors
Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page suggests
that the United States is now a democracy
in name only, and is in effect an oligarchy.
What is an oligarchy, you might ask?
Where a true democracy has the people
choose their government and its attendant
policies by voting, in an oligarchy a very
small group of individuals have absolute
sway over what the government does.
What this means exactly is that the
democratic institutions that the country is
based on no longer really need to pay
attention to the majority of their
constituents; only the wishes of a wealthy
elite really matter now.
With this in mind, in an attempt to
prepare you for the future, here’s a look at
some intriguing oligarchies from pop
small group of individuals have absolute culture.
sway over what the government does.
Issue 4, May 2014
Written by Matt Bowes | Images
courtesy of Warner Bros. and
Iain M. Banks
culture.
The Player of Games: In Iain M. Banks’
fantastic 1988 novel The Player of Games,
the Empire of Azad is a strange
counterpoint to the libertarian-anarchic
ideals of his main focus, the humanmachine melding known as The Culture.
The Empire is based entirely upon one’s
adeptness at playing a very complicated
board/card
game
called
Azad.
Azad.
Issue 4, May 2014
Every few years, the Empire essentially
stops functioning for a while, as the great
game is played by every member of society.
Upon leaving the game, your status in the
Empire is adjusted based on how well you
play; if you’re very, very good, you even get
to be the Emperor. As oligarchies go, the
Empire of Azad is technically a
meritocracy, as someone who is generally
talented in the ways of the game can
assume high office and standing. In
practice, though, the power is kept from
average people by high-ranked players and
their game colleges, as well as the dirty
tricks brought to the table by the current
emperor and their cronies.
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri: This
fantastic turn-based strategy computer
game, released in 1999, is an extension of
the bigger Sid Meier franchise/life ruining
addiction Civilization II. The game starts
as a group of settlers from Earth are
separated upon reaching Alpha Centauri,
the star system closest to our own. The
leaders of the separated groups form their
own colonies, resulting in ideologicallyopposed factions battling for control of the
new planet. While the idea of important
people from a colony ship making
themselves super powerful on a new planet
isn’t entirely original (another great
example comes from the book Lord of
Light by Roger Zelazny, where the senior
officers aboard ship use their tech access to
turn themselves into Hindu gods), the
degree to which the Alpha Centauri leaders
persuade their populations is as extreme
as it gets. The Human Hive, true to its
name, has an underclass of powerless,
faceless drones while the industrialists at
Morgan Industries have a corporate
bureaucracy for a government. Added to
this is the very detailed tech tree, which
allows the player to genetically modify
their citizens, augment them with robot
parts and psionics, or merge them with the
strange life forms found on the planet.
30
The Hunger Games: The colossal,
million-selling book and movie franchise
spawned by the imagination of Suzanne
Collins features one of the most
recognizable oligarchies in pop culture:
the debauched citizens of the Capitol. As a
yearly reminder to the impoverished
recognizable oligarchies in pop culture:
the debauched citizens of the Capitol. As a
yearly reminder to the impoverished
Districts under their control, the Capitol
holds an annual spectator sport known as
the Hunger Games, where Tributes fight
for their lives and the bellies of their
fellows. In the later stories, the plucky
badass Katniss Everdeen falls in with a
group of rebels who have designs on
knocking over the leadership of the
Capitol, specifically the corrupt leadership
of President Snow. Young adult books
often use the idea of a small number of
people controlling the world as an
excellent problem for the heroes to come
up
against.
The
factions
of
the Divergent series by Veronica Roth
could fit this mould, as do the secret
society of wizards who operate under our
Muggle noses in the Harry Potter books.
“
The most disturbing aspect of
[the Metal Gear Solid] oligarchy,
apart from their reliance upon
proxy wars and walking nuclear
missile silos, is the secretive
nature of their rule, which plays
on decades of real-life conspiracy
theories.
Metal Gear: There’s not enough space on
this website for me to condense down the
ridiculously dense and convoluted
storyline of this popular stealth action
video game series which dates back to the
1980s, but the arcane mythology provided
by the games does have a recognizable
oligarchy at the centre of it. At the end
of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the
player finds out that a group of wealthy
industrialists from the U.S., Russia, and
China formed a group known as the
Wisemen’s Committee after World War I
to influence world affairs from behind the
scenes in an attempt to stop conflicts from
growing into world wars. The group, which
later went on to be known variously as the
Philosophers and the Patriots, eventually
tired of the pacifism game and soon began
using vast amounts of wealth to develop
private armies and back-channel political
connections, with the result being the war-
using vast amounts of wealth to develop
private armies and back-channel
political connections, with the result
being the war-torn world presented by
the Metal Gear games. The most
disturbing aspect of this oligarchy, apart
from their reliance upon proxy wars and
walking nuclear missile silos, is the
secretive nature of their rule, which plays
on decades of real-life conspiracy
theories.
Are there any other fictional
oligarchies I missed? Let me
know by tweeting
@matt_bowes or
@thepulppress, or by posting
on the pulp’s Facebook page.
Issue 4, May 2014
Espresso
Patronum!
Written by Sherry Lawler |
Images courtesy of Madeline Slind
Spring has sprung! For Edmontonians, spring means
Festival Season is almost here: our reason d'être for spending
two full months outside being coddled by theatrics, amused by
street performers from all around the world, enjoying the
crooning of buskers serenading us on street corners, and the
sidewalk sales. Ah, the sidewalk sales.
Spring also denotes the revival of local creativity and
artistry. The first signs of spring may have been the collective
Farewell to Winter Patio Party held by small businesses in Old
Strathcona the weekend of March 14-16. Now, we're aware it
may have been a bit pre-emptive considering spring has only
sprung in the last couple of weeks, but that weekend was
beautiful enough for us to celebrate its pending arrival.
It's what we find lining the streets once the weather starts
to cooperate that makes this season so welcome. Festival
Season is great; seeing artwork displayed vibrantly on
chalkboards outside local businesses signals that people are
starting to pop their heads out for some true summer living.
Madeline Slind's chalkboard art caught my attention last
month, calmly perched on the corner of Whyte Avenue and
104 Street as a promotion for the area's Second Cup coffee
31
shop. Passer-bys take notice. Pictures are being snapped.
By the end of April, Madeline had already completed several
Issue 4, May 2014
shop. Passer-bys take notice. Pictures are
being snapped.
By the end of April, Madeline had
already completed several chalkboard
pieces: first, Batman; next, 007.
But the piece that was causing all the
stir featured Game of Thrones characters—
images that called out to you as you
inadvertently decided which Second Cup
treat was going to name you their subject.
How could her art not catch your
attention? She creates a new masterpiece
every other week or so for the Whyte Ave
Second Cup. Her window art is just as eyecatching. All are colourful and done with
artistic flair.
Her newest creation is a toast to Harry
Potter and Draco Malfoy. Make sure to
check them out while enjoying your Second
Cup espresso [patronum].
Don't fret if you’ve missed these geeky
masterpieces—Madeline will be around all
summer, creating new eye-catching,
conversation changing, picture-worthy
chalk art until she packs her backpack for
her next European adventure, this time
heading to Eastern Europe: Latvia and
Estonia being on the list of noteworthy
stops.
Likewise, if your business needs some
great pop culture-themed window or
chalkboard art, Madeline is willing to share
her talents and creativity.
With both The Works Art and Design
Festival happening June 19 to July 1 and
the Whyte Avenue Art Walk from July 11 to
13, and this talented local artist on Whyte
all summer (and with the Fringe around
the corner), I can't wait to see what she
brings to the table.
Perhaps her chalkboard art will give
the Art Walk artists a little run for their
money.
32
Issue 4, May 2014
Thepulppress.com
33
Issue 4, May 2014