~OLD MYTHS . . GET GRAPHIC / CROWS vs RAVENS, DUMBO ?
SPEAKING OF WHICH .. going up the mountain, and coming back down.
unknown seasons and . . wrathful deities !!
this week’s WALL STREET JOURNAL includes a small, but super interesting article on the resurgence of ‘graphic novels’, essentially better produced, or extended format .. comic books, i.e. books which depend on their illustrations, with a minimum of words or dialog – to get the story going.
according to the WSJ article, “Classic Westerns and ‘creation’ stories”, “stories that deal in old tales, stories that adapt and embellish older source material, from Eastern creation myths to fairy tales. . are the latest source for graphic novels.”
note . . as opposed to a recent publication history of pumping up. . sci fi or traditional comic book superhero themes.
and apparently some very well produced, large-format books are in the pipeline.
one of the books highlighted in the article, is ‘Law of the Desert Born’, illustrated by THOMAS YEATES with . . a “plot based on a 1946 short story by Western writer LOUIS L’AMOUR, who published close to 90 novels before his death at 80 in 1988.” The book was spearheaded by the author’s son BEAU L’AMOUR, 52..
“To research the visuals for the graphic adaption, the writer’s son, BEAU L’AMOUR, .. visited the areas where much of the story takes place, including Puerto De Luna, New Mexico ..”
the book’s credits: Adapter CHARLES SANTINO, co-writers BEAU L’AMOUR and KATHERINE NOLAN, illustrator: THOMAS YEATES.
PAGE FROM: ‘LAW OF THE DESERT BORN’, illustration by THOMAS YEATES, image via OLD MYTHS GET GRAPHIC/WALL STREET JOURNAL
another book they discuss, to appear on store shelves this upcoming DEC, is: ‘THE ENCYCLOPEDIA of EARLY EARTH’ by the 25-year old London-based author/illustrator . . ISABEL GREENBERG.
“She borrowed elements from the Old Testament, folk and fairy tales, and Greek mythology for her fiction world “early earth’ in which raven gods toy with the inhabitants below.”
“The whole book is really about storytelling and how there are certain stories that move you”, says Ms. Greenberg, 25, adding . . “I like how very similar stories in cultures come back.”
PAGE FROM ‘THE ENCYCLOPEDIA of EARLY EARTH’ by writer/illustraator ISABEL GREENBERG. IMAGE via OLD MYTHS GET GRAPHIC/WALL STREET JOURNAL
READ THE ARTICLE: OLD MYTHS GET GRAPHIC – BY ANNA RUSSELL, WALL STREET JOURNAL. OCT 3, 2013
note: if this link doesn’t get you in, just re-goggle the article by it’s title.
the WSJ is making a squirrely attempt to boost subscriptions / get their content – paid for.
but also: DIG THAT REFERENCE TO RAVENS !!! or what !!!
so, ARE RAVENS and CROWS, CAW CAW . . RELATED ?
YES !! both are members of the CORVUS family of birds.
BUT . . BIG DIFFERENCE.
ONE, the RAVEN IS EVIL, whereas the other, the CROW IS SMART.
both were important to early men, farmers etc for their . . advance warnings.
RAVENS are big players in fairy tales and myths. including recent epic movies.
CROWS are big players in farm mythology and actually in .. JAPAN, where crow imagery dominates – from day one, time immemorial. and, also in the contemporary arts. (just google it. Japan/crow imagery)
CROWS also played a big part in American folk art, also from day one, i.e. early native peoples tales .. on thru . . the characterization of black ‘folks’ as crows – in popular American culture, before we got politically correct-ed . .
RAVENS IN PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK, ARIZONA. source: WIKIPEDIA
RAVENS are larger and associated with mythic evil and death . . due to their habit for eating only CARRION, i.e. dead animal meat.
where you see ravens, you find . . the dead body.
their scary caw caw caw – makes for great sound bites.
the Raven, with it’s large body of ravishing black plumage, a ‘croaking’ call, and a diet of CARRION .. “has long been considered a bird of ill omen .. of interest to creators of myths and legends. French anthropologist CLAUDE LEVI-STRAUSS proposed ‘ravens obtained mythic status because it was a mediator animal between life and death.’ As a carrion bird, ravens became associated with the dead and lost souls.”
“In Sweden they are known as ghosts of murdered people”.
source: WIKIPEDIA
CROW. source: WIKIPEDIA
whereas, CROWS are known for . . their INTELLIGENCE.
found in cities and farms, urban and rural areas alike . . they are frontline SURVIVORS.
they seem to eat anything, including consumer produce !! google: Japan/annoying crows !!
they are said to have an omnivorus diet, but apparently that includes carrion when called for . .
the collective name for a group of crows is a flock or a ‘murder’ . . I think that’s because they gang up .. on their prey or feeding target. or alert farmers to ‘murder’ in the crops.
CROWS are capable of tool use, tool construction and even “meta-tool” use, which is advanced tool-on-tool use. CROWS are considered to be among the most INTELLIGENT animals that inhabit our bio-sphere.
in other words . . CROWS are REALLY SMART.
and they COMMUNICATE … with humans.
see: META-TOOL USE & ANALOGICAL REASONING IN CROWS
if you’ve ever had the opportunity to trip lightly . . in an empty corn field, then you know what I’m atalkin’ about. first one and then two, and then whole gang .. will come hang out.
make your acquaintance.
CROWS play a big part in American folklore, past.
see: THE CROWS ARE IN THE CORN – WAKE UP !!
including the First Peoples – i.e native Americans, aka Indians.
see: SIOUX CROW FOLKTALE
and American folklore . . PRESENT.
Writers, bloggers, twetters .. with frontier ‘radar’ .. are CROWS.
example: CAW CAW . . CARLO McCORMICK !!
so too, therefore . . by extension: are – cutting edge artists.
THOUGH, of course in the grand ole USA, we also have the specialized term: JIM CROW.
image: FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
image: FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
the name for the former practice of SEGREGATING black folks in the USA. criminal laws enacted and pursued from 1876 to 1965. so much for Lincoln and the Civil war, which abolished slavery . . in name.
among the laws: sexual interactions between black men and white women .. were illegal. but the other way, around was ok.
see: WHAT WAS JIM CROW – FERRIS UNIVERSITY.
there was of course another more gentle tradition of whites referring to black folks as crows, esp the menfolks.
DISNEY CROW – IMAGE: CROWS In DISNEY ANIMATION
which comes down to us, culturally most famously: via WALT DISNEY !!
and most famously of all . . in the widely beloved 1941 animation: ‘DUMBO’.
where a line of high steppin’ smart lookin’ crows did an animated prance & uttered the famous chorus: “what’s de matter wid his ears.”
not for naught .. we have the expression: to crow.
CAW CAW !!
GOT, CROW ?