Comic Book Candy

I must confess I’m very proud of the mix I’ve put together for the graphic novel Blankets . An autobiographical novel by Craig Thompson , Blankets is a poignant tale of first love told from the author’s adult perspective. Thompson’s own experiences serve as a reminder to readers that identity has its roots in our early relationships, with siblings, with parents, with God, our first love; and that the heartbreak visited by children may never be fully understood or accepted, but informs the adults we become. Many of these songs remind me of my own formative years, and more than a few are tinged with the inevitable pain that comes with first love. A few tracks are taken from the characters’ subtlety suggested tastes (you can see Radiohead and Pixies poster in the background of Craig’s girlfriend’s room), while others are inspired by Thompson’s religious upbringings. Lastly, the winter setting of the novel, and the exploration of intimacy through sleep inspired some of the selections....

Partly inspired by Bryan Lee O’Malley’s recommended playlists for Scott Pilgrim , and partly showcasing a habit that many comic book readers share, I’d like to offer some comic book mix CD’s. This is a…risky venture. Musical tastes vary so widely, what I may find suitable listening for a book may in fact be offensive to other reader’s ears. I’m willing to take that risk, in the name of sharing passions, which is my reason for writing this blog in the first place! If the title didn't already give it away, the first book to get the suggested listening is... Detective Comics! I first got the idea to make this playlist when reading Detective on an airplane. Listening to my ipod on random, a song came on that was so insanely fitting, I made a mental note to share it with the eight of you who occasional read this blog. This playlist is specifically inspired by issues 854-857, the Elegy storyline featuring Batwoman fighting against the Wonderland inspired villain-ess Alice. Unlike a...