Saving the world.

Saving the world.

Mon, 2013-09-23 13:59

In the dream I was with some comic book artists discussing climate change. In the way of dreams it turned out the answer was a drawing pin or, as the US call it, thumb tack.( Both have possibilities for a surrealist take but you know what I mean.)
Having a long time attachment to Carl Jung's writings, dreams do sometimes prompt real life engagement on my part and on this occasion it led me to trawling the internet under the banner of 'comic-books - global warming'. There are a number of sites featuring cartoons on the subject but no way as far as this research fumbler could see to find out about how climate change played in comic-books. Threats to planet Earth are not an uncommon theme and, from memory, Superman has saved the world more than once and Silver Surfer was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to prevent a wipe out of humanity. Thinking about it the chances of any super-hero not having battled to defend the planet at some time in their career seems slim. Now I'm guessing here but these demonstrations of global salvation were probably responses to threats from the outside - Earth inhabitants however wicked not being liable to end all life on the planet since that would include their evil selves. They may be psychos but they're not crazy.
Unreliable recall suggests that Alan Moore's 'Swamp Thing' had an ecological sub-text and since there are lots of bright and thoughtful writers in comics so it is possible the topic has cropped up. After all racism, sexism, gay rights, lots of social concerns have had the treatment. But can anyone tell me if green issues have?
So the question is - have concerns about climate change and its threats to the future of homo sapiens ever been treated in a mainstream comic? Can you help?
Thank you for your time.

Here are couple of sites for cartoons but there are quite a few others.
.
http://www.thecomicstrips.com/subject/The-Global+Warming+Science-Comic-S...

http://darryl-cunningham.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/climate-change.html

Here serious sciency stuff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_opinion_on_climate_change

Monday, September 30th.
Thanks to David for citing the 1970-73 Green Lantern- Green Arrow series - art Neal Adams words Denny O'Neil - that a minimum of research finds reviews telling that included in the social issues this series brings up were 'pollution' and 'environmentalism'.

Submitted by Arthur on Mon, 2013-09-23 13:59

In the dream I was with some comic book artists discussing climate change. In the way of dreams it turned out the answer was a drawing pin or, as the US call it, thumb tack.( Both have possibilities for a surrealist take but you know what I mean.)
Having a long time attachment to Carl Jung's writings, dreams do sometimes prompt real life engagement on my part and on this occasion it led me to trawling the internet under the banner of 'comic-books - global warming'. There are a number of sites featuring cartoons on the subject but no way as far as this research fumbler could see to find out about how climate change played in comic-books. Threats to planet Earth are not an uncommon theme and, from memory, Superman has saved the world more than once and Silver Surfer was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to prevent a wipe out of humanity. Thinking about it the chances of any super-hero not having battled to defend the planet at some time in their career seems slim. Now I'm guessing here but these demonstrations of global salvation were probably responses to threats from the outside - Earth inhabitants however wicked not being liable to end all life on the planet since that would include their evil selves. They may be psychos but they're not crazy.
Unreliable recall suggests that Alan Moore's 'Swamp Thing' had an ecological sub-text and since there are lots of bright and thoughtful writers in comics so it is possible the topic has cropped up. After all racism, sexism, gay rights, lots of social concerns have had the treatment. But can anyone tell me if green issues have?
So the question is - have concerns about climate change and its threats to the future of homo sapiens ever been treated in a mainstream comic? Can you help?
Thank you for your time.

Here are couple of sites for cartoons but there are quite a few others.
.
http://www.thecomicstrips.com/subject/The-Global+Warming+Science-Comic-S...

http://darryl-cunningham.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/climate-change.html

Here serious sciency stuff
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_opinion_on_climate_change

Monday, September 30th.
Thanks to David for citing the 1970-73 Green Lantern- Green Arrow series - art Neal Adams words Denny O'Neil - that a minimum of research finds reviews telling that included in the social issues this series brings up were 'pollution' and 'environmentalism'.

Comments

Submitted by Furius23 (not verified) on Wed, 2013-11-20 22:43.

Hello! I have read ABC Warriors Khronicles of Khaos some time ago and it was touching these topics - they have to kill 7 evil doers, one of them is responsable for cutting down the rainforest, others include a head tax collector and other scum :D must have come from a mind concerned with nature.. spontaniety and other feminine qualities. and it all had to do with full moon and alignment of planets if i remember correctly.
Worth the read, loved the precise colourful artwork.

Submitted by Arthur on Thu, 2013-11-21 00:32.

Hullo Furius23,

thanks for that. The comic sounds interesting. Wish I could see it.
Since a variety of comics have dealt with other social/political issues I'm having trouble believing ecological concerns haven't appeared more.

All the best,
Arthur

Submitted by Furius23 (not verified) on Fri, 2013-11-22 01:21.

The comic I mentioned is dealing with the mechanical, rational mind governed patriarchal world domination - which causes death of nature - in general.. the inballance of masculine/feminine, quantity over quality.. many comics do have this message embedded in them, but one that is specifically "ecological" i haven't seen.
Except for your Sirius, which i started reading now! It's Fun! DIRECT! no time to waste on decor - I appreciate your approach! And probably have seen enough beautiful empty shells already! THANK YOU!
BTW.:I borrowed that comic in Kentish Town library in London, they should still have it there if you ever pass by. The librarian responsable for comic section has a good taste, it was there where i first saw your work - Judge Anderson - Satan and got hooked on comic.

Submitted by Furius23 (not verified) on Fri, 2013-11-22 02:29.

Japanese might be a bit ahead in this topic.

http://www.mit.edu/~rei/manga-environmental.html

Submitted by Arthur on Fri, 2013-11-22 14:19.

Hullo Furius23,
afraid I shan't be passing Kentish Town Library any time soon. Nice they have some of my work. To my chagrin my local library doesn't.
Who were the writer and artist on that book?
Thank you for the kind words about 'Sirius'. Truth is for a number of reasons it is getting harder to keep going.
Despite general rule about links will leave this one as adding to the debate. Oddly enough the website comments are getting lots of advertising links from Japan recently.

Best,
Arthur

Submitted by Furius23 (not verified) on Fri, 2013-11-29 23:23.

ABC Warrors:Khronicles of Khaos

Script: Pat Mills and Tony Skinner
Art: Kev Walker

I'm really sorry that i brought some Japanese spam-bot on your blog. I was unaware of the links rule and possible effects. Sorry 4 that.. what a pain !

Submitted by Arthur on Fri, 2013-11-29 23:49.

Hullo Furius23,

no you didn't bring any spam-bot with you. The culprit(s) leaves comments with ad links all over the site and lots in Japanese recently.

Thanks for the title information. See if I can find it.
Best,
Arthur

Submitted by Arthur on Sat, 2013-11-30 12:42.

Hullo Furuis23,

read what I could about Kronikles of Khaos. Do you think it counts in this context? It all takes place on another planet and it is not clear that it had an
ecological message. It is only reviews and blurbs I've seen so I could be wrong.

Agree that Kev Walkers art looks good.

Best,
Arthur

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2014-10-24 09:15.

meg coolness bros

Submitted by Arthur on Fri, 2014-10-24 10:29.

Hullo Anonymous,

succinct but welcome.

Best,
Arthur