Frank Miller On The State Of The Union

Mr. Dark Knight Returns weighs in near the end of this clip, which, of course, could not possibly have been recorded without Ana Marie Cox showing up to offer her funny, hip, irreverent take on it all. (Can we just get this chick on Best Week Ever already?)

I haven't listened yet, but apparently he says Americans are whiny and unserious, and about where Rome was right before the fall.

Update: Frank Miller comes on at 30:45. He's pretty good. Says that he worries more about the homefront than the war itself, also knocks education for teaching kids to believe "all cultures are equal," which is plainly bullshit. Then says "Let's talk about the enemy," and tears into them.

I'll add in all the links of other people's takes as I have the time. Apparently the speech was better than I had expected. Not sure that matters much. I think Rich Lowry pegs it here:

Hate to say it, it doesn't matter whether the speech was so-so or fantastic at this point. No one will listen to Bush again until there are signs of progress in Iraq. That means that there is only one man who can make the case for Iraq, and thus by extension the Bush presidency, and his name is Dave Petraeus.

More Miller: On 9/11:

After never fully believing in patriotism and the U.S. flag, Miller discusses how the events of 9/11 shaped his newfound belief in patriotism and the flag. In discussing 9/11, Miller says, “I draw and write comic books. One thing my job involves is making up bad guys. Imagining human villainy in all its forms. Now the real thing had showed up. The real thing murdered my neighbors. In my city. In my country.” Miller adds, “Patriotism, I now believe, isn’t some sentimental, old, conceit. It’s self-preservation. I believe patriotism is central to a nation’s survival.”

That's a point that isn't made enough -- patriotism isn't just flag-waving or love of country. It's essentially a self-defense social compact -- you look out for me, I'll look out for you, together we'll look out for each other. Some people reject that social compact, believing it's more moral for them to evaluate situations on a case-by-case basis before committing themselves to a spirit of joint defense -- they'll make certain they believe in the morality of a specific instance of self-defense before upholding their end of the compact.

Which means it's not a compact at all.

I just wish that people who thought like that would sign a legal document with the state specifically repudiating that compact -- so that Coast Guardsmen and mountain rescue teams could check to see if their names are on the list of the Not Quite Willing To Commit To The Defense Of Their Fellow Americans before bothering to put their lives in danger to save them.

You really shouldn't be allowed to be free-riders on the social compact that binds most of us if you're actually still dickering over terms.

And of course Miller is doing "Holy Terror, Batman," a graphic novel where Batman goes after Al Qaeda. May sound a little dorky or off-toned, but Superman and Batman fought the Nazis in WWII, right? A different time, and maybe one we should get back to.

During his WonderCon panel, Frank Miller discussed his next graphic novel. Once again, Miller returns to the world of the Batman, this time with Holy Terror, Batman!. Though the title plays with Robin's classic catchphrase, the book deals with a serious subject. Gotham has been attacked by Al Qaeda and Batman sets out to defend the city he loves. The book, which Miller has inked through 120 pages, is expected to run roughly 200 pages total.

Miller proudly announced the title of his next Batman book, which he will write, draw and ink. Holy Terror, Batman! is no joke. And Miller doesn't hold back on the true purpose of the book, calling it "a piece of propoganda," where 'Batman kicks al Qaeda's ass."

The reason for this work, Miller said, was "an explosion from my gut reaction of what's happening now." He can't stand entertainers who lack the moxie of their '40s counterparts who stood up to Hitler. Holy Terror is "a reminder to people who seem to have forgotten who we're up against."

It's been a long time since heroes were used in comics as pure propaganda. As Miller reminded, "Superman punched out Hitler. So did Captain America. That's one of the things they're there for."

"These are our folk heroes," Miller said. "It just seems silly to chase around the Riddler when you've got Al Qaeda out there."

It's nice to find out that someone you're a fan of is not a complete and utter dickbag. It doesn't happen often, but when it does -- nice.

posted by Ace at 07:48 PM

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