Why Reviews?

Why reviews? Well, I'm glad you asked.

First, I like 'em. I like reading them, I like writing them. I love to discuss the entertainment and the art that I consume. I endeavor to entertain and inform at the level of my favorite review writers -- RC Harvey, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Lester Bangs, The Crew at Vice, Chris Reed and Chris Nieratko from Big Brother, Nick Hornby, Dylan Horrocks, Eddie Campbell, Tom Spurgeon, and others. I spend plenty of time reading comics, so most of the reviews will be of comics, but I will occasionally include some albums, movies, tv shows, or anything else that strikes my fancy. I will also endeavor to write reviews of pamphlets in a timely fashion, but anything else could be from any era.

Second, I will write reviews because I like to think critically about the things I love. I like to read Ultimate Spider-Man, but it's quite a mediocre title overall. Just because I enjoy it doesn't mean it has any instrinsic value. I read the DaVinci Code, and that book is the worst written book I've read in 15 years, but I devoured it. It's a type of story I enjoy reading, but crap nonetheless.

Third, I enjoy promoting the comics I like. The reviews here will always be of books (or movies, or music) that I recommend. Sometimes those recommendations will come with reservations. I love reading Concrete and Groo, but Concrete is the one I suggested to my wife. Point being, if it's on here it's because I bought it, and if I bought it, I read it and enjoyed it, at least a little.

Finally, I will write reviews because it's like the man said "If you can't do, teach."