The Long Road

03/13/2003 Archived Entry: "YOU'RE GROUNDED!!"

I've been waiting to do this for a while. Below you will find a set of quotes from one of the more popular comic book critics. He reviewed 21 comics this week, and I've pulled quotes from eight of them.
See if you can find a running theme.

"Well, those familiar with his work know that there is a common thread in all of his work, and that's strong, down-to-earth characterization."

"Despite the fantastic premise, the characters are grounded, and they serve as our gateway into this near-future."

"The main strength of the book, though, is how well grounded the characters are."

"Ellis wisely brings this terrorist drama down to earth early on, when he introduces agent Chris Royal on the second page… he’s got a casual, witty personality that makes him instantly likable and more like an average joe."

"The visuals here are photorealistic, and really capture both the everyday humanity of the characters in the "real world" and the magic of the faerie kingdom… The bulk of this issue takes place in the magical kingdom, but Holguin wisely sets a more human tone at first by focusing on a character who seems to be the catalyst for the tale. Her real-world woes and memories of more pleasant times as a child are elements to which the reader can relate, just as one can imagine the same sort of leisurely drive through a forested area. That tone is reinforced by the everyday activities of Kildare and her friends later on the book. Holguin maintains a nice balance between that more human side of Aria and the wondrous sights in the supernatural city that Kildare visits"

"Wheatley brings the alien flora and fauna, technology and energy to life, but the characters never lose a vulnerable, human tone either."

"Veitch is really trying to tap into the alien nature of an undersea society while not casting off qualities they might share with humanity in order to give the reader something to which s/he can relate."

"Jerry may be a bit of a loser, immersed in self-pity, but it's all too easy to relate to him. The creators also tap into more of the fun side of the H-Dial, but at the same time, the script never loses its mature, grounded tone."

Caught on?
This guy seems like he can only appreciate something if its "down-to-earth". He has honestly soured that phrase for me for the rest of my life! If you wrote a book about a bunch of aliens who didn't live, look and act like people (imagine!), I can guarantee that he'd hate it because the aliens wouldn't seem like the average joe. They'd be too strange and fantastic. Can someone really appreciate a book if it s/he can see themselves in the book? Sure, it helps but to bring it up in almost every review he writes!! I want to strangle this guy! Shake him up a little and say "what the hell is wrong with something comlpetely fantastic?"!!!