Mark Gruenwald – Archaeology of the Frivolous

Rereading Mark Gruenwald’s Squadron Supreme: 4. Shoot them with the bop gun

When Nighthawk says he is going to legalise guns again, what kind of guns is he talking about? We know that the police are now packing pacifier pistols (I alliterate to channel the spirit of Smilin’ Stan), which incapacitate by flooding the target with positive vibes. Now, when you think that Watchmen and Dark KnightContinue reading “Rereading Mark Gruenwald’s Squadron Supreme: 4. Shoot them with the bop gun”

Rereading Mark Gruenwald’s Squadron Supreme: 3. S/S

Maybe – or maybe it’s just me – looking at the loading of all these layers across a couple of pages has put you in mind of Barthes’ S/Z. It has, hasn’t it! Go on, you can admit it! Barthes, in S/Z, devises a series of codes that underpin the interpretation – the act ofContinue reading “Rereading Mark Gruenwald’s Squadron Supreme: 3. S/S”

Rereading Mark Gruenwald’s Squadron Supreme: 2. This is the rhythm of the fight

Here’s Foxfire, gunning for Nighthawk, even when it looks like the story’s over. Now, this is cut between Nighthawk’s monologue with Hyperion – we talked about this in the last post. After this three-panel clip, we will cut back to Nighthawk arguing that the real problem with the Squadron’s utopia program is its assumption thatContinue reading “Rereading Mark Gruenwald’s Squadron Supreme: 2. This is the rhythm of the fight”

Rereading Mark Gruenwald’s Squadron Supreme: 1. Inside the Hibernacle

Is there any way to begin thinking about Squadron Supreme (1985-86) other than with this moment? Nighthawk’s “Redeemers” have won; the Squadron are a page or two from formal surrender; the battlefield is littered with the dead and injured. Now, let me tell you – I was all of thirteen when I read this, andContinue reading “Rereading Mark Gruenwald’s Squadron Supreme: 1. Inside the Hibernacle”