Saturday, December 15, 2007
Comic Art
HE'S LARGEThat song lyric, from Robert Altman's "Popeye" film are just about the best summary possible of the Asgardian we look at today. As we begin our detailed look at the denzens of that fabled land as chronicled in Marvel Comics, it is quite suitable that we begin with my absolute favorite - Volstagg.
"Why?" you ask is Volstagg my favorite? It is quite simple actually, I AM Volstagg - large (well not so much any more, but just a couple of years ago...) - always in search of the next meal - prone to belching loudly and often - yes Volstagg is my hero.
He has also been perfectly written through the years. As sensibilities have changed he has moved more and more into the comic relief role, yet he remains above all a hero. When he first appeared in the '60's, a simpler time when being overweight was a choice, not a sin, he was simply a "man of appetites." He is now portrayed as a drag on his fabled warrior companions, Fandral and Hogun, save that every adventure something comes up where his girth and appetites are what are actually need to save the day, some time to comic effect, but always heroically.Though not depicted as such any more, again political correctness holds sway, Volstagg has always been egregiously hen-pecked, humor being found in the fact that a man of his size and strength could be pushed around by a mere woman. Deeper truth has never been in a comic - what a man will do for love.
In an age when comic characters seem to be darker, more brooding, and just plain depressed; Volstagg remains large, happy, and a refreshing breath of air. He is what comics should be - fun.
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