01/02/24: TWO THOUSAND & TWENTY THREE

That's a whole lot of years.

Hey y’all,

As part of my annual need to take stock of the passage of time— here’s a look at some of the comics and art I made in the year two thousand and twenty-three:

Click to read (but come back afterward):

1. Tee Time

2. God’s Own Truth

3. Quack

4. Six Itchy Fingers

5. Jokic’s Dream

6. Frisky Fox: A Henside Job

7. Frisky Fox: Movin’ Slow

8. Drawing Lesson

9. Justice in the Front

Much as I hesitate to classify these shorts, I guess they’re all absurdist, or maybe even funny (?). Whatever they are to you, they continue to be a refreshing exercise for me. And though the offering was a little smaller than last year in terms of page count, there was a lot of work— both writing and drawing— done behind the scenes that I haven’t shared yet.

In other words, it’s probably time to turn some dead trees into (these and other) comics in 2024, huh?

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Somewhat related— trying to make a list has reminded me that lists drive me crazy.

More frustrating is that I had to google “best of 2023” to even remember half the stuff I consumed during the past year. Turns out it wasn’t all that much. At least not in terms of what was birthed fresh into the world.

Anyway, here’s some of the stuff that I remember enjoying:

Movies: 

Oppenheimer— I’d almost bet you that a big reason for Christopher Nolen’s commercial success is that even his more artistic endeavors tend to feature a moment where Michael Caine gazes into the camera and very clearly tells the audience what the movie is about. And while I’ve got nothing against clarity in storytelling, I think that it often robs his work of a more powerful ambiguity. 

But when Einstein plainly whispers Movie-heimer’s main theme into Man-heimer’s ear at the end— I was actually stunned by the power and depth that such a plainly stated and definitive point imbued the whole story with. In a nutshell that’s why I like OPPENHEIMER— What’s simple is complex and what’s complex is shockingly simple. To the point that nearly every expectation I had about these kinds of biopics, or Nolen’s work was subverted, and now feels worthy of some reconsideration.

Killers of the Flower Moon- Goodfellas, King of Comedy, After Hours, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, The Aviator— I watched and re-watched a lot of Scorcese this past year. Flower Moon isn’t his most “exciting film”, but its existence felt exciting. A real reason to go to the — *harmuph* (shotguns a jar of grey poupon)—CINEMA!

American history as a crime story. As an intimate betrayal. I hope this one isn’t anywhere close to his last. But if so, it’s a nice end to his novel.

TV: 

Scavenger’s Reign

Blue Eyed Samurai

During the work stoppages of the early pandemic, there was a lot of talk about trying to get “adult” animation off the ground in Hollywood. Whether that helped these two shows or not— I can’t help but think they’ve given those studios a better reason to keep pushing than just pragmatism. In different ways, both shows wholly and ambitiously embrace animation to tell stories that couldn’t be told any other way. 

More obvious picks: The Bear (s2), Succession (s4), Barry (s4), Righteous Gemstones (s3), Beef

Music (at least according to my phone): 

Hard pressed to pick an album. But here are some new songs that certainly got played. 

Tyler Childers- “In Your Love”

Killer Mike- “Something For Junkies”

Drake/J Cole- “First Person Shooter”

Comics:

I’m not totally THAT GUY™ yet, but most of the comics I read in 2023 were old. So rather than sound off on the year that was— I’ll ask you for recommendations. Of any sort. What comics moved you?

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And lastly…

In 2023, my life away from work was full of challenges, frustrations, love, happiness, and genuine gratitude. And I just want to take a moment to say that I appreciate everyone in that life and every moment of it. Here’s an attempt at that in images:

And of course my gratitude extends to you and your support. It continues to mean the world to me that read and share and engage with my work.

Happy New Year, y’all. More soon…

-j