Silly Bill Maher, Comics Aren't Just for Kids

Recently Bill Maher did something that I thought was impossible. He got the world of comic fandom to agree on something–that Bill Maher is wrong about comics. For those unaware recently Maher wrote a blog post regarding his personal viewpoint of comics and how it relates to the lack of maturity in today“s culture. There is some truth in what Maher was attempting to get at as we do live in a world where being an adult does not mean what it once did. However, he chose the wrong target. I for one thought the belief of, “Comics are for kids”“ was long dead, but that does not appear to be the case. So instead of throwing insults let“s use this as an opportunity to sing the praises of comics and how it has long proved itself as a valid artistic medium.

Let“s start by looking at some of those who feel differently than Maher. Paul Newman, who for my money is America“s greatest actor of all time, respected the medium of comics enough to make one of his last performances a supporting role in a comic book adaptation. A performance that rightfully got nominated for an Academy Award. That film, Road to Perdition, was directed by Sam Mendes who was coming off winning an Oscar himself for his work on American Beauty. He probably could have directed any movie he wanted and he chose a script based on a graphic novel.Â

That was over a decade ago so let’s look at a more recent example. Armando Iannucci, one of today“s best political satirist, also appears to have a great deal of respect for comics.Â He even shares a network with Bill Maher and directed one of this year“s funniest comedies The Death of Stalin that was also adapted from a comic book. Blue is the Warmest Color, one of this decade’s best films, you guessed it adapted its story from a comic. Â American Splendor, Persepolis, Sin City, Ghost World, Oldboy, Snowpiercer, A History of Violence, ect… all great films. All started as comics.

Now comics do not need to be adapted in order to have legitimacy as an art form, my point simply is some of today’s best creative minds respect the medium of comics enough to craft films worthy of the original. The idea that storytelling lacks sophistication because it is accompanied by imagery is akin to saying movies are better if you close your eyes. Pictures are just as capable of telling refined stories as words are. History has shown us time and time that combining both can lead to something greater than simple entertainment.

One of the most important comic books ever made was not done by DC, Marvel, Image, nor was a superhero to be found. Martin Luther King Jr and The Montgomery Story, a comic, was a vitally important tool in the Civil Rights movement. As Congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis indicates below that comic had a major impact on him–so much so he was willing to tell his own story in comic book form. For those that have not read the March trilogy, I highly advised that you do as it will no doubt go down as one of this generation“s best and most important comics.

It is also important to point out that superhero comics are just as capable of telling stories that are full of profound ideas and transcendent themes like Watchmen, Astro City, All-Star Superman, Mister Miracle, and so many countless others. Of course, some superhero comics are just plain immature fun and that“s okay too. ”˜I Want to Hold Your Hand“ is a great Beatles song even if it does not hold the same weight as ”˜Strawbery Fields Forever“. You do not need to be serious in order to be taken seriously.

If someone dismisses the entirety of comics as a glorified child“s toy my reaction is not anger but sorrow. Â They are going to miss out on some phenomenal stories like My Favorite Thing is Monsters, Essex County, Maus, and Ghost World that would appeal to even the most cynical simply because they are a prisoner of their own assumptions. The argument over if comics are for kids has long been settled. They simply chose to ignore it.

The best way to fight against that dying creed is by praising what is right about comics. Comic fans should take solace in how much comics have grown in just the past twenty years. Often the comic community can spend so much time yelling at each the very thing they supposedly enjoy gets lost in all the toxicity. Losing legends like Stan Lee and Steve Ditko brings a great deal of sadness no doubt. It also reminds us of why we like comics in the first place and how they have touched our lives in vital ways. If cherishing those memories is considered childish I do not want to grow up.Â

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Daniel Clark

A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.