Variation Venus

Reading comics is a great way to relieve stress. I read a lot of comics for enjoyment. Oftentimes, it’s for the love of the art form and storytelling. Above all, it is a great way to relax. I have been reading comics since I was a teenager, and at the time, I started with Archie Comics. I enjoyed the high school jokes and shenanigans to start with. When I began reading superhero comics, the stories were always about a villain. Each issue typically featured a monster type. These comics were great escapes for me. They allowed me to expand my imagination in a safe way. I grew up in a household that was not a great environment to be in. The stories that were written made me have hope that not all places were like the one I lived in.

Home was a very difficult place for me to grow up in. I had a parent who didn’t believe in having fun. Anything like cartoons, reading, or comics was seen as a desecration against our home’s religion. I grew up a Christian, but the version that my father wanted. So his version was very restricting, misogynistic, and oppressive. Many of the comics were seen in my home as well. I know that today’s views consider past comics offensive. They feature all genders wearing revealing leotards, open and very low bust lines. Still, when I was growing up, I saw that as liberation. It’s strange how times change. All the artists make an effort to reduce curves, breasts, and hip shape. I haven’t seen many attempts to give female heroes muscle definition. Nor have I seen efforts to give the other gendered heroes realistic muscle characteristics.   Anyway, other than the superhero costume designs, I liked comics from Vertigo for a different reason. They were darker stories that did not feature superheroes. It was stories like Sandman, Hellblazer, Y: The Last Man, Deadman, Swamp Thing, and Uncle Sam.

While those stories were darker, they gave me comfort that the characters who existed in those worlds still tried their best while being flawed. It was a more realistic take on an “okay” ending. These stories prompted me to look into the gray area of things and find balance with conflicting emotions and ideologies.

Sandman

Sandman by Neil Gaiman is about Dream, a powerful being who governs the realm of dreams, as he seeks to reclaim his lost artifacts and confront the consequences of his actions across various realities

It’s more than a stretch to say that reading Neil Gaiman is controversial. This is in light of the allegations against him. I know I’m reaching but try separate the man from the art. Some of the stories in this series are good. A Dream of a Thousand Cats is a story I liked. The cats need to dream the same dream together. This would change the world so that cats would rule.

Hellblazer

Hellblazer created by Alan More with writer Jamie Delano and artist John Ridgway expanding on the character expanding on the character John Constantine. John Constantine, a cynical occult detective navigating the dark and often dangerous supernatural underworld. He’s one of those dark characters who carry lots of guilt and make imperfect choices.

Y: The Last Man

Y: The Last Man was written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated primarily by Pia Guerra. Y: The Last Man explores a post-apocalyptic world. In this world, only one man and his pet monkey survive a mysterious plague. The plague wipes out all male mammals.

Deadman

Deadman created by Arnold Drake, features Boston Brand, a circus performer turned ghost who seeks to find redemption by helping others.

Swamp Thing

Swamp Thing by Alan Moore tells the story of a creature born from the fusion of science and nature, grappled with its identity and purpose while defending the planet

Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam by Steve Darnall (writer) and Alex Ross (artist) portrays “Sam” as a personification of the United States. It reflects on the country’s ideals and failures throughout its history. I particularly liked the idea that American politics is shaped by collective memory. Intentional manipulation of powerful symbols also plays a role. This manipulation influences our perception of patriotism and freedom.