Past MKE Comicbook meetups have focused on favorite characters and stories, but this month our topic went in a direction that’s often explored – plots driven by science and technology! Comicbooks often make the implausible sound possible with the use of made-up science and technology, or have used real science discoveries as a springboard to something new.
Don mentioned Valiant’s “Imperium“, which features cities floating in the ocean, with foundations made out of sea-garbage. The book also features a sentient robot, with a fondness for poetry, named “Sunlight On Snow.” Don also brought along How to Fake a Moon Landing by Darryl Cunningham – about 8 common topics of science denial, and Trinity by Jonathan Fetter-Form – about the development of the atomic bomb. For sheer crazy fun, and their inclusion of M.O.D.O.K. as a member, Secret Avengers got a good mention.
Shawn brought along We3, a classic Grant Morrison-Frank Quietly book. We3 explores the defense industry and the transformation of some lost pets into living WMDs. Wolverine and X-men 17, like Secret Avengers, was a fun inclusion for its time spent exploring the Slimer-esque alien character, Doop. Black Science from Image Comics, explores parallel dimensions and features some crazy, inventive creature designs. New Avengers got mentioned, but not for the sake of any of the heroes, but for the character development given to Doctor Doom, and his ability to mix magic and science
I brought along an issue of Excalibur from their “The Cross-Time Caper” story, where the heroes traveled across the dimensions in a train powered by dragon, directed by a small, joyful robot. I also shared Ultimate Spider-Man, with its similar creation of the hero Miles Morales to the original Spidey, Peter Parker – powers acquired through a spider’s bite
Dillon shared What if? Serious Scientific Answer to Absurd Hypothetical Questions, which sounds like an awesome book. Emilio went the classic route and brought archive editions of Eerie and Creepy, featuring lots of crazy science fiction (like an astronaut werewolf)
NEXT MONTH is gonna be very exciting as there’s two great events to be aware of – MKE Comicbook (non-Marvel/DC books and banned comicbooks) on Sept 22 and the ACLU’s “Banned Books Celebration” on Sept 29!
