Sometimes, absence makes the heart go wander…
Posted by: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez on October 15, 2007 at 1:51 pm
What happens when the “maybe we just need a little space” trial separation makes you realize you’re actually happier apart and have no interest in getting back together?
Well, if you’re me and writing about and reviewing comics on a semi-regular basis is what you needed a break from, you stall one more month hoping for the good feelings to return before finally acknowledging the truth and writing the requisite farewell post for the 3-5 people who might still care.
In other words, it’s officially “adios” for good this time!
To the comics internet, at least. I’m not done with comics themselves, of course; I’m just reading less of them these days and have no interest in feeling obligated to write about them, never mind writing about the incestuous and too-often petty little world of comics publishing and online fandom. Catching up on my myriad Google Reader subscriptions this weekend pretty much clinched it.
It’s been real, it’s been fun — I’ve written some things I’m proud of and made some good friends I wouldn’t have otherwise — but not unlike the break from poetry that ultimately led me to reading comics again and eventually writing about them, things have come full circle and I’m going back to my first true love. More importantly, I’m taking the next big step in our relationship and building us a new home, aka the NYC-centric online literary journal I’m officially launching in January 2008 called Spindle.
To Jon, Howard, Rich, Adan, Matt and my other fellow writers here at PopCultureShock, past and present; and everyone who ever left a comment or dropped me a backchannel email, positive or negative: thanks for everything — the camaraderie, the support, the feedback, and most importantly, the passion each of you brought to the site. PCS will always be my online home for comics and I plan to check in more often now that the guilt over not carrying my weight the past few months will be lifted!
An extra-special shout-out to Katherine and Erin, whose insightful coverage gave me some helpful direction in my still nascent exploration of manga (I’m officially hooked on Eden and Planetes!) and made it that much easier to kick the Marvel/DC habit that was draining my wallet and tainting my appreciation of the form.
Remember, reading comics you don’t enjoy is stupid. It’s like drinking Budweiser or Coors just because they’re cheaper than Magic Hat.*
Don’t be stupid!
Love,
Guy LeCharles Gonzalez
PCS, 2005-2007
*NOTE: Like certain Essential and Showcase volumes, there’s always a time and place for a cold PBR!
4 Responses to "Sometimes, absence makes the heart go wander…"
Add me to the list of readers who will miss your insightful, no-fanboy-BS reviews, Guy! I hope you’ll stop by once and a while with a recommendation. And please don’t hesitate to ask for manga recommendations–I’m always happy to steer you to the good stuff. (Because, let’s face it, DC and Marvel don’t have a monopoly on crud!)
I hope that Spindle finds an enthusiastic readership. Let us know when it’s up and running and we’ll do our best to put out the word!
3 | plok
Let me know, too! Although I probably won’t be too good at putting out the word, I could always give it a shot.
Guy!
I enjoyed your blogging, man. They say there’s a fifty-fifty chance of eventual return in these things, so mark me down as hoping that the quarter comes down heads-up.
Although if it doesn’t, that’s so much the better for you, eh?
Keep me posted, and have a good time! This was a real nice clambake.
Hey, 3 comments + 1 email = my “3-5″ readers. Thanks, all! :-)
As for Spindle, it soft-launched last month but the official launch is in January. If you guys ever do any NYC-centric writing, about comics or not, send it my way!
