Upon discussion of the comic, it is often decided that the form is to be considered lesser than, a genre for children or the regressed adult. Such names as Frank Miller, Alan Moore and R. Crumb are left out during study of both artistic and literary classics, although their works have been considered as such by a small but devoted audience.   The focus here is the connection between and of the visual arts and the printed word, with one which we are current. Instead of the turning of the page, we are clicking our way through our experiences of the two.   “Serious” conversation and analysis of comics is typically confined to the internet forums of retainer-hindered basement dwellers, bickering over the rendering of Wonder Women’s tits.    Images are received as stimuli; our unconscious mind first perceives the whole, eliciting the emotional response felt when viewing art.    It is after these reactions subside that we are able to begin an individual analysis of their parts, marking the beginning of consciousness.   These two reactions occur milliseconds apart, but they are distinct processes.   In an attempt to create space between the two, local enthusiasts have gathered monthly to facilitate a discussion of the graphic novel, creating an environment where the criticism of art and literature come together in the Nerdy Book Club, an event held by Ferndale’s Detroit Comics.

The small façade, sitting north of Marshall on the south side of Woodward holds monthly gatherings discussing titles chosen by the members of the group.  Greeted by Brian Kelly, co-owner of the shop with his wife Lori, we were directed to two folding tables centered between the Superman red walls and the continuous racks of titles neatly organized on black metal grids.  A cooler of beer sat adjacent and the table was stocked with cookies and other homemade edibles.   As we scanned the ink and print of hundreds of titles, recalling our affection we felt as strangers amongst friends and were quickly welcomed by the diverse crowd for a discussion of Kyle Baker and Robert Morales’ “Truth: Red White and Black”.  As the sharpie fumes from the nametags filled our sinuses, the December meeting of the Nerdy Book Club commenced, beginning with a round of introductions. Tonight’s moderator, a man going by “El Presidente”, his mouth full of celery and carrots, opened with criticism of the artwork which resembled the gait of a warming horse.

In the years leading up to World War 2 in Tuskegee, Alabama the U.S. Public Health Service conducted a series of experiments on the natural progression of untreated syphilis among impoverished black sharecroppers. These men were never told they had the disease nor treated despite the discovery of penicillin as an effective cure. The experiments raised serious ethical concerns which resulted in the informed consent and proper reporting of results which are uniform in any modern study. These events were the historical basis for “Truth”. Steve Rogers, Captain America, was a Superhero created from a military created super-serum, an advanced solider born during the struggle against the Nazis. However, this serum was not untested. A squadron of black soldiers was the first experimental subjects as the serum was perfected. All but one did not survive the process and only Isaiah Bradley was successfully enhanced thus becoming the first Captain America, a Truth.

The subject matter of the novel allowed for a candid discussion of race amongst the diverse room. The self proclaimed Nerds then began on topic which all had an opinion. One member of the group, Dr. Fritsch, fresh off the acceptance of his dissertation, expressed the difficulty in obtaining black participants in non-invasive surveys. Without the environment of the club, this sentiment may have never surfaced, a reflection of the public’s reluctance to confront cultural differences which elicited a response from all members of the group. Personal recounts of being discriminated against and the consequences of living in a racially homogenous culture were related as the audience learned from the differing experiences of their peers. We were on our second beer, the cookie tray had been nearly emptied and the atmosphere was light and friendly despite the seriousness of the subject. The idea of a paranoid culture in America was presented by one of the women in the group, explaining how due to decades of institutionalized racism, the black community, stories abound, had lost faith in the establishments of the State. This stood in contrast with another member who, by living in a rural community, had little experience outside his culture which created an ignorance of the tensions prevalent elsewhere. The topic was unreal to his world.

“What World are you living in?” was the response to this naivety. The room understood the quip and chuckled in understanding.

The allotted time had passed quickly and El Presidente signaled that now was the time for the final round robin of questions. This time, we were prompted to name our favorite black superhero and to state whether our opinion of the book had changed through discussion. Somewhat unfamiliar with superheroes in general, we both independently arrived at Lando Calrissian. For the record, Daniel has expressed a desire to change his answer to Geordi La Forge. The Detroit Comics Nerdy Book Club had succeeded in discussing the graphic novel as an important work of literature and art focused on an area often difficult to analyze. As we left, we felt lucky to have sat in on this club and its small subculture.

The next meeting is January 21st from 7-9pm to discuss Guy Delisle’s Pyongyang: A Journey In North Korea and on that date, Avengers Assemble!

Detroit Comics is located at 23333 Woodward Ave. Ferndale, MI. More information can be found at http://www.detroitcomics.com

Dan and John publish Le Jolie Rogue, a quarterly independent publication of artistic expression covering  literature, the visual arts or any other form of printed expression.