Excalibur #43
“Home Comforts”
Writer and pencils: Alan Davis
Colours: Glynis Oliver
Inks: Michael Heisler
Editor: Terry Kavanagh
Original publication date: November 1991
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] [/et_pb_code][et_pb_button button_url=”https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/8625/excalibur_1988_43″ url_new_window=”on” button_text=”marvel unlimited link” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”14px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#ef00db” button_border_width=”8px” button_border_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” button_letter_spacing=”2px” button_font=”Nunito|700||on|||||” button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”30px|||” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”right” animation_intensity_slide=”5%” animation_starting_opacity=”100%” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ box_shadow_horizontal=”0px” box_shadow_vertical=”25px” box_shadow_blur=”45px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(148,166,191,0.25)” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”My Books Section” _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_margin=”23px|||||” custom_padding=”100px||100px|” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_margin=”-78px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||7px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]This week, we’re giving Anna’s favourite issue of Excalibur the celebration it deserves, chatting with award-winning comics creator and educator Dr. Nick Sousanis about the very skillful, very complex, very sexy, very important visual storytelling of Excalibur #43, “Home Comforts.” We talk picturing dreams, Kurt’s fondest desire(s), and what Kurt and Brian are actually fighting about (is it Meggan, or something else…?). We also talk quite a bit about transformative circus fantasies, spending a good chunk of the pod pouring over a single spectacular page—you can probably guess which one 😉 We all left this convo seeing an old issue in new ways—we hope you will, too!
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On unflattening: ” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_unflattening2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_unflattening2″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]“When I was trying to convince my dissertation advisors about the importance of the work I wanted to do, I would tell them – a comics page is able to hold more information than seems possible for a flat sheet of paper. Comics are an unflattening of ideas.” -Nick
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On fantasies:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_opening-splash.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_opening splash” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]“Kurt talks all the time about rescuing damsels in distress. Yet when he has this sexy dream about Meggan, he doesn’t dream about conquering her. He dreams about her flying by his side as his partner. It’s obviously egotistical, but also—he’s dreaming about equality.” -Anna
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-16px|auto||auto||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On visual symbolism:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_dream.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_dream” sticky_enabled=”0″]“Because the background is continuous but Kurt and Meggan are fragments—they’re trapped or constrained within the panels in a way the background isn’t. That creates a feeling of discomfort. Even if you don’t yet know it’s a dream, it feels off.” -Mav
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On comics and dreams:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_dream-kiss.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_dream kiss” sticky_enabled=”0″]“There is a theory that comics are particularly good at simulating the experience of dreaming by presenting a series of fragmented images that have a dream-logic to them, veering easily into surrealism.” -Andrew
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On the page at the centre of the conflict:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_page-6.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_page 6″ sticky_enabled=”0″]“The thing that’s at the centre of this conflict is the thing that’s at the centre of this page. That centrality is communicated both through the organization of the page and the use of colour—red symbolizing passion and conflict.” -Anna
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On likeable Brian:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_number-and-dragon.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_number and dragon” sticky_enabled=”0″]“I liked Brian in the scene where he walks in on Numbers and the dragon. He finds them having a very private moment, is surprised, but immediately apologizes and politely leaves. This is probably the most likeable I’ve found Brian to this point in the comic.” -Anna
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On fight choreography:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_kurt-teleport.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_kurt teleport” sticky_enabled=”0″]“Part of what they’re fighting about is different ways of being masculine. The thing that the fight scene and the erotic aerial dance have in common is Kurt’s beauty. Kurt’s comfortable performing. Brian’s not.” -Anna
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On character beats:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_meggan.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_meggan” sticky_enabled=”0″]“Meggan’s dialogue is stereotypical, but it also means a lot, character-wise, for her stand up for herself. Davis’ love for Meggan also comes across visually through his rendering of her tearful face. This is an iconic image of Meggan. It may be *the* image of Meggan.” -Andrew
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On space and pace:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_fight-aftermath.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_fight aftermath” sticky_enabled=”0″]“The use of space and silence is really important. Drawing out the moment, and adding the crashing ocean, so that visually, the situation almost overwhelms the characters—it’s pretty masterful use of timing. I’d want to redraw it to think about how it all works.” -Nick
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On visual vs textual stories:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_fight-aftermath-kurt.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_fight aftermath kurt” sticky_enabled=”0″]“My headcanon saves Davis’ too-blatant explanation of Kurt’s attraction to Meggan but telling myself Kurt’s not being honest with himself. Maybe this is what he thinks his attraction is when he’s conscious. We saw his subconscious tell a different story, which the ‘all that I desire’ line does allude to.” -Anna
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blurb title=”On the importance of fashion:” image=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_kitty.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_kitty” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]“I love that Kitty is dressed like a 15-year-old girl in this comic. At the time this comic came out, I probably knew 20 girls who dressed exactly like Kitty. It was a great choice.” -Mav
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”20px|auto||auto||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_team_member name=”Want more Nick Sousanis?” image_url=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_nick-200×300.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_nick” sticky_enabled=”0″]You can find him on Twitter (@Nsousanis) and at his website, Spin, Weave & Cut, where he shares his in-progress work and other projects, plus an invaluable database of comics studies syllabi and activities related to studying and making comics!
And of course – you can buy Nick’s multiple award-winning book, Unflattening, wherever fine books are sold!
[/et_pb_team_member][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”http://goshgollywow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/43_unflattening-2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”#43_unflattening” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-107px|||||” custom_padding=”80px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-63px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]
And as usual:
You can find Anna on Twitter (@peppard_anna) and on her podcast with Andrew and Michael Hancock, Three Panel Contrast (@3PanelContrast).
You can find Andrew on Twitter (@ClaremontRun).
You can find Mav on Twitter (@chrismaverick) and on his podcast, VoxPopcast (@VoxPopcast).
Enjoy!
-GGW Team
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Another fantastic analysis.
Like Anna, this is possibly my favourite issue of Excalibur, and a total tour de force for Alan Davis art.
He’s been my favourite comic artist since the 80s. The skill, the humour, the dynamism; superhero comics are absolutely his perfect sweet spot, where he can show all his strengths. But it’s the subtleties of his ability to layer complex character beats on to a simple funny book which is what makes his work sublime.
The layers of emotion at play in this comic, for every principle character *and* the background cast of the Technet is just astonishing.
It’s why comics has always been my favourite medium, you can do things with it that you can’t do with a novel or film or art alone.
He’s less skilled as a writer, but he’s still better than a lot of time served pros. I can’t remember if Excalibur was the first book he wrote, it was certainly an early one. All those years of working with Moore, Delano and Claremont clearly rubbed off on him, what an apprenticeship, for any aspiring writer.
I love Kitty’s “Men!” Just dripping sarcasm. I’m, with you, gal.
And the ongoing toilet jokes, started with poor Kitty on the trawler back in Inferno and here and again in Kylun’s destroying the bathroom *again*, it’s a very British humour, which Alan excels at.
You know, I didn’t bother with a re-read before listening to the pod but I’m doing one now.
Davis is just, gah, so frickin’ good.
The exhaust from Thug’s jet pack hanging in the air with a little blip where the pause is for Megan to kiss Brian.
You could print the whole issue without the script and still understand, from everyone’s body language what is happening.
As Danny pointed out on Twitter, this also gives an opportunity for Megan to bond with Rachel, which they haven’t done since the problematic blending during the Cross Time Caper.
And Kitty? You’re gonna need something more than a first aid kit for a broken femur… at least I got a fanfic out of the situation.