Taking sides: The Punisher / Connecticut
- I am trying to find a copy of the Flying Hearts Arthur Russell recorded with Ernie Brooks (”hippie Ernie,” Modern Lovers fans). They were on Columbia, but the record went unreleased. There’s got to be a bootleg, or something.
- I went to my second-favorite local convenience store today. This Armenian guy works there. More like lives there, actually: he has a hot plate for his tea kettle and hand weights behind the counter. He works out constantly, and he doesn’t seem to be well, mentally. I mean, he performs at his job, but I try to engage with him a little bit every time I go there and his responses are fucking bizarre. Last week he wished me a happy weister. “Easter?” I said. “Weister,” he said, definitively. “Happy Passover,” I replied. “Oh, you!” he said, pointing at me. Not angry or anything. What I feel when I go there is that I am visiting someone in prison.
- Speaking of music, I am in love - L-U-V - with this Orange Juice song. I’m not going to say which one. Mixtape coming soon, I swear it.
- Can you bear with me, for a second? I think X-Factor is my favorite non-indie comic book that doesn’t make continual and explicit reference to previous beloved comic book tropes. (My favorite comic book that makes continual and explicit reference to previous beloved comic book tropes is Grant Morrison’s All-Star Superman.) X-Factor was a real surprise; I had no expectations for it, and it’s awesome. Even though a girl turns into a wolf and stuff, the book has an unusual measure of reality and quietude to it. I think this is because it’s issue 6 and the team hasn’t fought any credible villians yet. Which is realistic.
- I’m sick of not talking about comics. Even though Fantagraphics/Drawn & Quarterly comics have gotten all the shine shine these past couple of years - Jimmy Corrigan, Ghost World, etc ad naus - there is still a great deal to be said for the vitality of Marvel/DC superhero books. Ya rly. For example, Ed Brubaker’s Daredevil is better than the last three short stories I’ve read. This is not just because I prefer The Punisher to Connecticut and the word sere. Although I suppose that might be part of it.
