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"The Wit and Wisdom of the Comics" approx 90 quotations from comics. compiled by Matthew Jeske.
This is a huge pile of quotes I'ved picked from comics for over a year or more. I'm sure it would read better as a book than a long page, but at least it's out there now. I really love finding something profound, but I also include funny bits, and things that I find poetic. Dialogue, Narration, Description: It's all here from A to Z.
Here's a list of subjects:
A-F
Acquisitive Nature, Advice, Attention, Bad Relationships, Bags, Biology, Criminals, Comic Books, Communist Freedom, Control, Cuisne, Damnation, Danger, Death (2), Definition, Disco, Dragons, Dreams (2), Education,The Enemy, Evolution, Face, Faith, Fame, Fanaticism, and Flight.
G-Q
Gangs, God, Grafitti, Greed, Heaven,Heroism, Honesty, Human Nature,Infernal Machinery, Insanity, Inspiration, Issues, Justice, The Justice System, Kamikaze, Killing, Life, Living Dangerously, The Media, Millions, Morning, Mutants, Mystery Stories, Nature (2), Night, Open-ended storytelling, Ownership, Physical Labor, Poetry, Political Campaigns,Prehistory, Privacy, Procrastination, A Questioning Spirit, Quiet,
R-Z
Rage, A rainy night, Reality, Regret, Rejection, Relativity (2), Religion, Riches, Richie Rich, Rioting, Rocket Planes Science Fiction, Sin, Storytrlling, the Subway, A Superhero's Problems (2), Superpowers, Suspended Animation, Teleportation, Threat, Tragedy, Trolleys, Trouble, Undercover Activity, The Universe, Useless Effort, Viciousness, Violence, Visions, Waltzing, War, Women, X-Ray Vision, Xenophobia, Young Death, Zen, and Zion.
###A-F###
Acquisitive Nature
"After sixteen years, his desire to make money ran dry, like the rubber gasket on an old refrigerator door." -from Julius Knipl Real Estate Photographer: Stories by Ben Katchor. published by Little, Brown and Company. copyright 1996 Ben Katchor.
Advice
Montoya: "What do I (ital) think? I think it's probably not such a hot idea to be poking around the streets of Gotham asking a lot of questions about anything, (ital) especially Batman."
Interviewer: "So are you saying that Batman is REAL, Detective Montoya?"
Montoya: "I'm just saying if you're in a city that believes in a costumed vigilante who prowls the night, you might want to watch your step, whether he's real or not." -from Batman #584 by Ed Brubaker and Scott McDaniel. published by and copyright December 2000 DC Comics
Attention
"I sought praise and cheers thinking that they would make me the man I wanted to be -- only to get none. But in this, I have learned -- if not what it takes to be a hero -- then at least what it takes -- to be a man." -from Slingers #5 by Joe Harris and Chriss Cross. published April 1999 by Marvel Comics. copyright 1999 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Bad Relationships
"Honestly, people who woudn't be caught dead in a bad movie or ill-fitting clothes will go months or years with the wrong person! It's all baffling!"
-Igor in Dork Tower #13 by John Kovalic. published February-March 2001 by Dork Storm Press copyright 2001 John Kovalic.
Bags
"In Bagdad my Bagdad bag factory got in bad with the Bagdad bigdads because of a bad sag the bags had!" -from "The Queen of the Wild Dog Pack" by Carl Barks. originally published March 1966 in Uncle Scrooge #62, reprinted as Uncle Scrooge Adventures #43 in February 1997 by the Bruce Hamilton Company (Gladstone imprint). copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Biology
"I'm sure the forest was created to cleanse the world... It takes into its body the pollutants left in the soil by the old civilizations, turns it into harmless crystals, then dies and turns to sand." -from Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind by Hayao Miyazaki (Part 1, Book three of seven). English translation by David Lewis and Toren Smith (Studio Proteus). originally published by Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., in Japan. American version published (in 1989?) by Viz Comics. copyright 1989 Hayao Miyazaki/Tokuma Shoten.
Criminals
"Now, would you look at this guy. Trench coat. Big knife. Hasn't shaved in days and stinks like a fifth of ripple. It's stereotypes like him that drag the rest of the criminal element down." -from Slingers #1 by Joe Harris and Chris Cross. published December 1998 by Marvel Comics. copyright 1998 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Comic Books
"I didn't know they still made these." -from "Love, Is This Thy Sting?" by Tony Isabella and Craig Boldman in Geeksville volume 2 number 3. published September 2000 by Image Comics.
Communist Freedom
"But there seemed no justice anywhere. Even my own comrades were oppressing the people, instituting 'classes' based on background! Somehow, those who had been poor were better than those with education or parents who had been landowners. It didn't look like freedom to me." -Duong from The 'Nam #7 by Doug Murray, Michael Golden and Wayne Vansant. published June 1987 by Marvel Comics. copyright 1987 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
Control
"Like I say, if you don't take it, somebody else will. And if you ain't takin', you're gettin' took. Stick with me, and you'll do the taking. But if you're in, it's all the way. No half-steppin'. And you get the real deal from me too." -from a story originally published in single issue form in 1993 as Static, collected in the trade paperback Static Shock: Trial by Fire in 2000. copyright 1993, 2000 Milestone Media. Characters, distinctive likenesses and related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics.
Cuisine
"We've spotted the challenger's ingredient selection!"
"And what is it?"
"uhhhhh... Generic Turkey Dogs.
"So he's a baboon."
"Or a college student. Sometimes it's hard to tell the differ..."
"I heard that!" -Narrators and Carson in Dork Tower #13 (Iron Chef story) by John Kovalic. published February-March 2001 by Dork Storm Press copyright 2001 John Kovalic.
Damnation
"You must follow the road you have chosen... the road to hell." -from Pilgrim's Progress by Martin Powell and Seppo Makinen, adapted from the book by John Bunyan. published by 1992 Marvel Comics. copyright 1992 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
Danger
"Bullets fly. My name isn't on any of them, but they come close enough that I'm thinking they learned it and might tell their friends. For now, I'm alive-- deaf maybe, but alive." -from Unlimited Access #1 by Karl Kesel and Pat Oliffe. published by Marvel Comics. copyright 1997 Marvel Characters, Inc. and DC Comics. UNLIMITED ACCESS is a jointly held trademark of Marvel Characters, Inc. and DC Comics.
Death
"Death's the only real (ital) enemy in war, 'Dozer. Binder looked it right in the eye to save us." -from Hammer and Anvil by Chuck Dixon and Eduardo Barreto in Sgt. Rock special #2. published by and copyright 1994 DC Comics.
Death
"Tell me, dear soul, is it true that we live only in a dream, at a dizzying speed, and then move on to leave a space for others? Others for whom we must leave a clean place setting." -from "Perpetual Mourning" by Ted McKeever. originally published in Batman Black and White (comic book form) in 1996 by DC Comics. reprinted in trade paperback form by DC Comics in 1998. copyright 1996 and 1998 DC Comics.
Definition
"Artists like Ward and Belgian Frans Masereel said much through their woodcuts about the potential of comics, but few in the comics community of the day could get the message. Their definition of Comics, then as now, was simply too narrow to include such work." -from Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud. published in 1993 by Kitchen Sink Press. reprinted with permission in 1994 by Harper Perennial. copyright 1993 Scott McCloud.
Disco
"The Dazzler was created to cash in on, of all things, the disco craze of the late 70's. It took Marvel until 1981 to get her comic out. How's that for timing?" -from "Love Is This Thy Sting?" by Tony Isabella and Craig Boldman in Geeksville volume 2 number 3. published September 2000 by Image Comics.
Dragons
"Hmmf! Did too (bold) see a dragon! What do they think (bold) ? I lit my head (bold) on fire to keep warm (bold) ?" Fone Bone from the Complete Bone Adventures Volume 1 by Jeff Smith. published (3rd printing) February 1994 by Cartoon Books, originally published as Bone #1-6 in 1991 and 1992. copyright 1991, 19992, 19993 Jeff Smith
Dreams
Ernesto: "...I just wanted to make my dreams a reality... Is that so foolish...?"
Pedro: "My friend... someday your dreams will swallow you whole." -from Zot: Book Two by Scott McCloud. published by Kitchen Sink Press. originally published as single issues in 1987 and 1988. copyright 1987, 1988, 1998 Scott McCloud.
Dreams
The Spectre: "Time has little meaning where we walk, Norman McCay. We move freely from moment to moment. Guided by your visions, I show you only that which we must see. You are disoriented?
Norman: Enormously. I wasn't really asleep... and yet, I was dreaming again..." -from Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. published in trade paperback form 1997 by DC Comics. copyright 1996 DC Comics.
Education
Nephews: "Did you send for us because of these red ink reports? We don't know where half the countries are that you're in trouble in!"
Scrooge: "Then it's time you learned (Ital)! You kith and kin are going to inherit my hard-earned fortune someday! You should be learning where (ital) and how (ital) I make that stuff in there!" -from "The Queen of the Wild Dog Pack" by Carl Barks. originally published March 1966 in Uncle Scrooge #62, reprinted as Uncle Scrooge Adventures #43 in February 1997 by the Bruce Hamilton Company (Gladstone imprint). copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc.
The Enemy
"He was the enemy... I could rationalize it that way. But it didn't matter. I killed him because he stood between me and life. If he had been one of my comrades... If there was only one mask between us... I would have killed him to survive... My will to survive overcame any other obstacles." -from Enemy Ace: War Idyll by George Pratt. published by and copyright 1990 DC Comics.
Evolution
"Do you want to know the real message of evolution? All life ends up as manure." -from New X-Men #115 (E is for Extinction, part 2 of 3) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. published August 2001 by Marvel Comics. copyright 2001 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Face
"Think of your face as a mask. That's what it is after all. A mask. facing outward. Worn from the day you were born. Slave to your every mental command. Seen by everyone you meet. But never by you." -from Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud. published in 1993 by Kitchen Sink Press. reprinted with permission in 1994 by Harper Perennial. copyright 1993 Scott McCloud.
Faith
"The giant Despair has conquered armies of angels... and now the faith of a child has brought him down." -from Pilgrim's Progress by Martin Powell and Seppo Makinen, adapted from the book by John Bunyan. published by 1992 Marvel Comics. copyright 1992 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
Fame
"They gave him a name. It was revered by the good. It was feared by the bad. Only to be forgotten by both as time slipped by." -from Slingers #2 by Joe Harris and Chris Cross. published January 1999 by Marvel Comics. copyright 1999 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Fanaticism
"There were others (ital) like you, Carl... Others (ital) who were sick (ital) and revolted (ital) and nauseated (ital) at the screaming proposals of the little man. But they (ital) couldn't stop the tide, could (ital) they, Carl? They (ital) couldn't stem the the flow of hate that poured throught the streets with clubs and guns and the echoes of the little man's screams urging it on..." -from Master Race in Impact #1 by unknown (Al Feldstein?) and Bernard Krigstein. published 1954 by E.C. Comics, reprinted 1999 by Gemstone Publications. Copyright 1954 I.C. Publishing Co., Inc., renewed 1988 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc.
Flight
"In the sky, I was alive... when I got up into it, off the ground with my whole body in it... then everything was changed. After the war was over, after the fighting subsided... The sky belonged to me... as much as I belonged to it. It made everything simple for me... when all else failed, flight was there... I was free..." -from Enemy Ace: War Idyll by George Pratt. published by and copyright 1990 DC Comics.
Gangs
"...and Zam! Jus' another dead gangbanger. No cops. No payback. No problems." -from Static: Everything But The Girl by Dwayne McDuffie, Robert L. Washington III, and John Paul Leon. -from a story originally published in single issue form in 1993 as Static, collected in the trade paperback Static Shock: Trial by Fire in 2000. copyright 1993, 2000 Milestone Media. Characters, distinctive likenesses and related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics.
God
"Well, you can call me ignorant, but I think you've been taking all those news reports too seriously! I mean God's on our side, right? He's responsible for us! The Big Guy won't let us down-- you'll see! God'll take care of guys like us! That's his job-- and his worry, not yours! So, cheer up! It's not the end of the world, y'know!"
"I hope you're right." -from Pilgrim's Progress by Martin Powell and Seppo Makinen, adapted from the book by John Bunyan. published by 1992 Marvel Comics. copyright 1992 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
Graffiti
"Like Hieroglyphics, graffiti functions mainly through a vocabulary of symbols -- and I began trying to decipher this secret language of the streets when our snitches started telling the future. Some could even predict murder, although they never knew the victim's real name, only his graffiti sign." from Batman #535 by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones. published by and copyright October 1996 DC Comics.
###G-Q###
Greed
P: "but I just want some tape. I don't want to hurt anybody."
J: "Squirrels aren't (Underlined) anybody. they don't UNDERSTAND the value of pretty sparkling things! Not like us!" -Peanut Butter and Jeremy by James Kolchaka. published August 2000 by Alternative Comics copyright 2000 James Kolchaka.
Heaven
"We are in a new country, where the air is sweet again... a land where the sun never sets... and where common men walk with angels." -from Pilgrim's Progress by Martin Powell and Seppo Makinen, adapted from the book by John Bunyan. published by 1992 Marvel Comics. copyright 1992 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
Heroism
Clark: "When you're as strong as Superman, you don't have to be brave. You want to see real courage, look at someone like Lois. She's as vulnerable as you or me, but still she goes looking for trouble again and again."
Lois (on the phone): "Listen, you little weasel, if you don't come clean with me, I'm gonna come down to city hall and punch your lights out!"
Clark: "Bravery isn't about having no fear, Jimmy. Bravery is about facing your fears." -from Superman Adventures #4 by Scott McCloud and Rick Burchett. published by and copyright February 1997 DC Comics.
Honesty
Schwartz: "By all means. Make yourself comfortable."
Lemaris: "I'll be recording this."
Schwartz: "Of course. Why would the president object to having his conversations taped?" -from Metal Men #1 by Dan Jurgens and Mike McKone. published by and copyright December 1997 DC Comics (Tangent Comics imprint).
Human Nature
"Is it always this rowdy here?"
"No, sir. There was a duel today and that brings out the worst in all people." -from Usagi Yojimbo: Daisho by Stan Sakai. Published in trade paperback form by 1998 Dark Horse Comics. copyright 1998 Stan Sakai.
Infernal Machinery
"They were there! Heads! (ital) Staring at me! Tiny, pulsating pipes ran from the steel collared necks to an intricate switchboard behind the professor's infernal machine! And the heads were wired up... <in series...> (ital)" from "Ahead of The Game!" by (Unknown) and Bill Elder from Weird Fantasy No. 17 reprinted October 1996 by Gemstone Publishing. orginally published 1952. copyright 1980 and 1996 William M. Gaines Agent.
Insanity
"The two white-coated attendants dragged the screaming, struggling charge from the elevator, down the long dark corridor of the insane asylum, to an imposing door marked 'Therapy!' One of the attendants knocked, footsteps approached, and the heavy door swung open." -from The Headhunters by (unknown and) George Evans in Weird Science #22. originally published by E.C. Comics in 1953, reprinted by Gemstone Publishing in 1997. copyright 1953 by Fables publishing Co., Inc., renewed 1977 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc. copyright 1997 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc.
Inspiration
"So many writers...So Many artists all were motivated to create because of comic books! What is harmful is to deny humans--even young humans--their right to fantasy and imagination!" -Dr. Joseph Zensie in Fanboy #4 by Mark Evanier and Segio Aragones. published June 1999 by DC Comics
Issues
"I've got more issues than a year long magazine subscription." -Terry in Sidekicks #3 by J. Torres and Takeshi Miyazawa. published April 2001 by Fanboy Entertainment, Inc.
Justice
"And there he lies... unknown... unmourned..! I say it is not fitting..and so, it must not be!" -from The Essential Silver Surfer By Stan Lee and John Buscema. originally published in magazine form in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, and collected in a trade paperback in 1998. copyright 19967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1998 Marvel Characters, Inc.
The Justice System
"Our courts are clogged with those who see personal responsibility as the other guy's job." -from "Bent Twigs" by Bill Sienkiewicz. originally published in Batman Black and White (comic book form) in 1996 by DC Comics. reprinted in trade paperback form by DC Comics in 1998. copyright 1996 and 1998 DC Comics.
Kamikaze
"Man! I cain't figguh how them Japanese minds work!"
"He sure walked into them bullets!" -from 'Mopping Up" by Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Davis in Frontline Combat #7. originally printed in 1952, reprintred February 1997 by Gemstone Publications. copyright 1952 Tiny Tot Comics, Inc. renewed 1982 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc. and copyright 1997 William M. Gaines, Agent.
Killing
"You live in a natural world. You kill when you're hungry. I kill because I'm told to." -Hans Von Hammer to a wolf in Enemy Ace: War Idyll by George Pratt. published by and copyright 1990 DC Comics.
Life
Barbara: Let me guess-- you took him down, brought him to justice, and it didn't make you feel any better about the man he killed, did it.
Cassandra: No.
Barbara: Good.
Cassandra: Good?
Barbara: Yes, good. Justice is important. But life is more important.. You shouldn't (Ital) feel better about that kind of loss. It shows you're human. -Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain from Batgirl # 17 by Kelley Puckett and Damion Scott. published and copyright August 2001 DC Comics.
Living Dangerously
"So, uh... Long Time no see! How have you been keeping?"
"Out of prison. So far."
-Daniel (Nite Owl) and Rorshach from Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. published by and copyright 1987 DC comics. original published as Watchmen 1-12 in 1986
The Media
"And this building here, where the media nests..? It's where the venom collects." -from Eagle Vol. 1 by Kaiji Kawaguchi. published February 2000 by Viz Communications, Inc. coyright 2000 Kaiji Kawaguchi/Shogakukan
Millions
"There are seven million people in Gotham City. Seven million scurrying, chatting people--"
"--both wisdom teeth hacked out--"
"--put that baby into fourth gear--"
"--fifth wife was a vegetarian--"
"--see she'd had implants--"
"--busted into my store and took one lousy pillow--" -"A Slaying Song Tonight" by Dennis O'Neil and Teddy Kristiansen in Batman Black and White. originally published by DC Comics in 1996 as single issues, collected into trade paperback form in 1998. copyright 1996, 1998 DC Comics.
Morning
"As the rising sun drizzles warm amber light over the only-half-sleeping landscape, the fluttering wings of awakening birds cast skittering shadows upon facades of stone, glass, and steel. The roar of an airline jet grumbles in the distance." -from Silver Surfer/Superman by George Perez and Ron Lim. Published by Marvel Comics. copyright 1996 Marvel Characters, Inc. and DC Comics.
Mutants (Racism)
Stranger 1: Mutants aren't even a race. I don't even know if they are a species.
Stranger 2: Then what are they then?
Stranger 3: Could you speak-- No. No, I can't -- listen, the train is coming. The train -- It's...
S 1: We are being sold a bill of goods. If you give them a group, mutants, make them a cause... then you have to give them rights. And I don't know what kind of rights a mutant aberration freak deserves.
S 2: Lower your voice.
S 1: Why? You're the one all hot and bothered. I told you that these mutants scare the crap out of me and you jump down my throat.
S 2: Listen...
S 2: Are you telling me that they don't scare you? Tell me that if that's the case, but I know they do." -from Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Matt Wagner. published and copyright April 2001 by Marvel Characters, Inc.
Mystery Stories
"According to statistics, millions of American's read millions of the most carefully written crime and crime detection stories in the world! Expertly told....and prepared after exhaustive research...the best of these are, in effect, lessons in crime and criminal psychology! Yet could you, (bold) sitting in the trolley or bus or subway at night, pick out the killer sitting opposite you?" -from "The Killer" by Will Eisner. originally published December 8, 1946. reprinted in The Spirit #1 in April 1974 by Warren Publishing Co. copyright 1974 Will Eisner.
Nature
"The wind is the breath of Nature. Its instruments the trees, valleys and mountains. The sea-waves pound upon the rocks like drums and the earth groans under our feet. Some sounds are caorse and brutal while others are gentle and light. Some scream in your ears and some waft in from the distance. But they all harmonize in Nature's symphony. To really hear it you must first appreciate it and so people hear the music of nature less and less." -a Buddhist monk from The "Music of Heaven" by Stan Sakai. originally published in comic book form by Mirage. reprinted 1998 by Dark Horse Comics in the trade paperback Usagi Yojimbo: Daisho. cpoyright 1998 Stan Sakai.
Nature
"Admit it, (ital) Max! You love Mother Nature just as much as I (ital) do! However, my (ital n bold) love hasn's made me <blind to her faults!> (ital) The <beauty of her genius> is the <horror of her failures!>" -from Zot: Book Two by Scott McCloud. published by Kitchen Sink Press. originally published by Eclipse in single issues in 1987 and 1988. copyright 1987, 1988, 1998 Scott McCloud.
Night
"Night in the city. From above... peaceful. serene. The stuff of postcards and Capra movies. While, below... a woman screams as alarms blare. Shots ring out like testimony and sirens wail like banshees in the moonlight." -from Slingers #0 by Joe Harris and Adam Pollina. published by Marvel Comics and Gareb Shamus Enterprises, inc. dba Wizard Entertainment. copyright 1998 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Open-Ended Storytelling
"It's a story... in a story... in a story... and so on... ad infinitum!" -from The Aliens by (unknown and) Al Williamson in Weird Fantasy #17. originally published by E.C. Comics in 1953, reprinted by Gemstone Publishing in 1996. copyright 1952 by I.C. Publishing Co., Inc., renewed 1980 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc. copyright 1996 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc.
Ownership
"Though we have achieved Nirvana... it was gained by those who came before! We have not earned it! Therefore, it is not truly ours!" from The Essential Silver Surfer: Volume 1 by Stan Lee and John Buscema. originally published as Silver Surfer #1-8 and Fantastic Four Annual #5, reprinted 1998 by Marvel Comics. copyright 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1998 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Physical Labor
"Common laborers paid a minimum wage by the day, no benefits, no records -cash! Add to that the cost of portable bleachers and advertising and your best seat would go for, tops, thirty-five dollars. There's a vast, untapped audience for that kind of spectacle..." -from Julius Knipl Real Estate Photographer: Stories by Ben Katchor, published 1996 by Little, Brown, Company. copyright 1996 Ben Katchor.
Poetry
"She must have inspired an encyclopedia's worth of poetry from you-- all drivel-- and yet you haven't spoken a single word to her. Imagine that." -from Duncan's Kingdom #2 by Gene Yang and Derek Kirk. published 1999 by Image Comics. copyright 1999 Derek Kirk and Gene Yang.
Political Campaigns
"In America, a candidate has to have a cast-iron stomach. You've gotta clean your plate at every stop, or it looks bad." -from Eagle Vol.1 by Kaiji Kawaguchi. published February 2000 by Viz Communications, Inc. copyright 2000 Kaiji Kawaguchi/Shogakukan.
Prehistory
"The woman opened her eyes. She listened for a moment to the night sound around her... to the bats that screeched and darted with flapping wings overhead... to the distant trumpet of a hairy mastodon... to the bellowing roar of a mighty saber-toothed tiger deep in the surrounding jungle. She listened to the night sounds of this tropical garden paradise around her." -from A new Beginning by (unknown and) Al Williamson in Weird Science #22. originally published by E.C. Comics in 1953, reprinted by Gemstone Publishing in 1997. copyright 1953 by Fables publishing Co., Inc., renewed 1977 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc. copyright 1997 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc.
Privacy
Holliday: "President Schwartz, you do realize the Thompson family goes to great lengths to ensure their privacy!"
Schwartz: "We're not the press. "We run this country! Now get me those files!"
-from The Atom #1 by Dan Jurgens and Paul Ryan. published by and copyright December 1997 DC Comics (Tangent imprint).
Procrastination
Boychik: Why is it I feel like a convenient distraction. Don't you have other things to be doing?
Jomi: You're the most interesting object in the room.
Boychik: Thank you. -from Geisha: One-shot ("out of tune") by Andi Watson. published by May 2000 by Oni Press, Inc. Geisha is tm and copyright 2000 Andi Watson.
A Questioning Spirit
"..when on a vast space-platform housing an extension of a great academic institution... students learn to question authority, question their own perceptions -- question teachers who teach by questioning one another..." -from a Superman #400 sequence by Elliot Maggin and Wendy Pini. published by and copyright October 1984 DC Comics.
Quiet
"What's wrong? You were so quiet at dinner.
"Hmmmm...? Oh, Um, Nothing's wrong, Lana. I just felt like being quiet, that's all."
"You'd tell me if there was something really wrong? Right?"
"Who else would I tell?" -Clark and Lana from Superman For All Seasons: Spring by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. published by and copyright 1998 DC Comics.
###R-Z###
Rage
"The marble monuments across the river looked like ashes and bone. In this chill I learned for the first time how hot tears could be." -from Eagle Vol.1 by Kaiji Kawaguchi. published February 2000 by Viz Communications, Inc. copyright 2000 Kaiji Kawaguchi/Shogakukan
A Rainy Night/A Dark and Stormy Night
"Night!... Black, wet, pouring night, with the muffled monotonous sizzle of fat raindrops hitting the ground! Night... Roaring velvety night punctuated by blue-white flickering lightning and bowling-ball thunder! Night!... When men sleep and evil wakes!... A black sedan careens through the night, swerving madly on the wet road!" -from Hoohah! in Mad #1 by Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Davis. reprinted summer 1997 as TALES CALCULATED TO DRIVE YOU MAD #1 by E.C. Publications, Inc. Copyright 1952, 1953 and 1997 by E.C. Publications, Inc.
Reality
"Much older now, I now realize that fishing with stuffed animals is no different than the notion of Santa Claus or family or love. Eventually, you find yourself questioning if anything in this life is for real." -from "Innocent Bystander Presents How I Survived My Parents (is beyond me!)" by Caryn Gordon and Gary Sassaman in Geeksville volume 2, number 3. published September 2000 by Image Comics. Innocent Bystander is TM and copyright 2000 Gary g. Sassaman.
Regret
"He tried to clear the lump that had come up in his throat. But it didn't go away. It never would!" from The "Dress" in Impact #1 by unknown (Al Feldstein?) and George Evans. published 1954 by E.C. Comics, reprinted 1999 by Gemstone Publications. Copyright 1954 I.C. Publishing Co., Inc., renewed 1988 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc.
Rejection
"I'm sorry, but the friend you have dialed is no longer available. For a new fall guy, please hang up and call your stupid boyfriend. -from a story originally published in single issue form in 1993 as Static, collected in the trade paperback Static Shock: Trial by Fire in 2000. copyright 1993, 2000 Milestone Media. Characters, distinctive likenesses and related indicia are trademarks of DC Comics.
Relativity
"Please... find it in your heart to forgive the indiscretions of my tribe. Please be our guests..."
"Go with you, you mean. In other words, prisoners." -from Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind by Hayao Miyazaki (Part 1, Book three of seven). English translation by David Lewis and Toren Smith (Studio Proteus). originally published by Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., in Japan. American version published (in 1989?) by Viz Comics. copyright 1989 Hayao Miyazaki/Tokuma Shoten.
Relativity
"In a world without values or morality, good and evil are just choices on the menu of the mighty." -from New X-Men #115 (E is for Extinction, part 2 of 3) by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. published August 2001 by Marvel Comics. copyright 2001 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Religion
"Their temple was dark and gloomy with shadows. But soon, night's dark tapestry would be torn aside. Each day, this miracle was repeated, yet the worshippers never lost their awe." -from "Fulfillment" by (unknown) and Bernard Krigstein in Incredible Science Fiction # 9. originally published 1955, reprinted November 1994 by Gemstone Publishing. copyright 1955 by Fables publishing Co., Inc. renewed 1982 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc. copyright 1994 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc.
Riches
"I'm the devil incarnate ...that's what I am. And let's hear anyone try to deny it!"
"I beg your pardon! I am the devil incarnate ...and I'm richer than you are, too!" -Rastapopoulos and Laszlo Carriedas from Flight 714 by Herge. artwork copyright 1968 Casterman, Paris, and Tournai. translation text copyright 1968 by Methuen & Co., Ltd. American Edition copyright 1975 by Little, Brown, and Company.
Richie Rich
"If he's so rich, how come he always wears the same sissy suit?" -from "Love Is This Thy Sting" by Tony Isabella and Craig Boldman in Geeksville volume 2, number 3. published September 2000 by Image Comics.
Rioting
"It must have started like that-- with isolated outbreaks of violence. By the time it reached us -- they were just destroying anything they could reach. What were they thinking? You could see it in their faces. They weren't thinking. They were just afraid and angry, and they were lashing out. And when they woke up tommorow morning, it would be just a dream. Something that happened to someone else. I had to get a record -- Had to show them -- show us all -- K-KLIK K-KLIK K-KLIK -- what we did in our nightmare." --from Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross. published in comic book form as Marvels #O-4 in 1994 by Marvel Comics. reprinted in trade paperback form as Marvels in 1999
by Marvel Comics. copyright 1994 and 1999 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Rocket Planes
"They bomb overhead, maybe twenty yards or less, an' their backwash presses me into the grass like an invisible steamroller. If I'd been airborne, I'd have benn blown clean off the hike, with no more resistance than a feather. But then they're past an' the pressure lifts -- and I watch 'em go." -Alejandro Cruz from Shockrockets #1 by Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen. published April 2000 by Image Comics. copyright 2000 Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen.
Science Fiction
"My world is the world I choose to make it. My world is yesterday... or today... or tomorrow... For my world is the world of science fiction... conceived in my mind and placed upon paper with pencil and ink and brush and sweat and a great deal of love for my world. For I am a science fiction artist. My name is Wood." -from My World by Wally Wood in Weird Science #22. originally published by E.C. Comics in 1953, reprinted by Gemstone Publishing in 1997. copyright 1953 by Fables publishing Co., Inc., renewed 1977 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc. copyright 1997 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc.
Sin
Jr.: "Am I a sinner, Papa?"
Michael: "We're all sinners, son. That's the way we enter this world. But we can leave it forgiven." - Michael O' Sullivan and Michael O' Sullivan Jr. from The Road to Perdtion by Max Allan Collins and Richard Piers Rayner. A messed-up man demonstrating a knowledge of the truth. published June 1998 by Paradox Press, an imprint of DC Comics, along with Pocket Books, a division of Simon and Shuster. script copyight 1998 Max Allan Collins and Art copyright 1998 Richard Piers Rayner.
Storytelling
"So what was the 'secret weapon,' Clark?"
"Jonathan! You let him tell it at his own pace! Anyway, I'm sure we can guess what it was."
"Oh, I don't think you can guess what happened next, Ma. I lived (ital) through it, and I can still hardly believe it." -from Superman Adventures #6 ("Seonimod") by Scott McCloud and Rick Burchett. published by and copyright 1997 DC Comics.
The Subway
"You blink as the first car rushes by and illuminated windows flash in an ever slowing rhythm..." -from Master Race in Impact #1 by unknown (Al Feldstein?) and Bernard Krigstein. published 1954 by E.C. Comics, reprinted 1999 by Gemstone Publications. Copyright 1954 I.C. Publishing Co., Inc., renewed 1988 by William M. Gaines, Agent, Inc.
A Superhero's Problems
"Eddie thought he was crazy. Just like that-- he could overcome the things he hated about himself? His handicap? His problems? That which made him weak. But you'd take that offer, too. You know you would. Then you'd probably come back down to Earth. Like poor Eddie, here. You'd realize problems and prejudices son't go away because you've got a jet pack on your back -- or a mask to hide behind." -from Slingers #3 by Joe Harris and Chris Cross. published February 1999 by Marvel Comics. copyright 1999 Marvel Characters, Inc.
A Superhero's Problems
"When they finally give out Oscars for "greatest performance in a secret identity" this day shall be remembered." -from "Burning Sensation" originally published in Static #1 (comic book form) in 1993 by DC Comics. reprinted in the Static Shock: Trial by Fire trade paperback by DC Comics in 2000. copyright 1993 and 1998 Milestone Media, Inc.
Superpowers
"Egad, Brain! I think one of my superpowers is the ability to have really long and meaningless conversations while I fight!" Pinky in Pinky and The Brain #1 by Bobbi JG Weiss, David Cody Weiss, Robert Graff and Walter Carzon. published July 1996 by DC Comics. copyright 1996 Warner Bros.
Suspended Animation
"...So we put him on ice. Not that we din't thaw him out from time to time. Make sure all his pumps and pistons were all working. We'd work on his head from time to time, too. Try to reconfigure how he thought. And then we'd road-test him. Korea came in useful for that. -from Captain America #7 (volume two) by James Robinson and Joe Phillips. published by and copyright May 1997 Marvel Comics.
Teleportation
"And like that -- we're somewhere else -- over the North Pacific, and Shockrockets base. And my stomach feels hot and tight, and my blood feels like ice -- But then I snap back to normal an' just want to throw up -- but that sureness, that feeling that's been with me since inside the fortress -- it's gone for a second, an' I panic--" Alejandro Cruz from Shockrockets#1 by Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen. published April 2000 by Image Comics. copyright 2000 Kurt Busiek and Stuart Immonen.
Threat
"I pick my teeth with your scrawny bones!"
-from Duncan's Kingdom #2 by Gene Yang and Derek Kirk. published 1999 by Image Comics. copyright 1999 Derek Kirk and Gene Yang.
Tragedy
"You know how people can be when they've survived a lot of pain and tragedy, Jean. He's trying to remind himself what all of it was for (italics). He's trying to give all those deaths and failures meaning (italics) again, polishing up his dream until it shines. That's what Logan (italics) said in a rare sensitive moment." Henry McCoy/Beast in New X-Men #114 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. published July 2001 by Marvel Comics. copyright 2001 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Trolleys
"Mostly they're gone now, the old trolleys...just a few still run ... like the old Raven's point line for example!!.. All day long, like drunken bugs, the creaky jallopies waddle their way through the noisy city, loading up with morning crowds which come back the same way at night...." -from "The Last Trolley" by Will Eisner. originally published March 24, 1946. reprinted in The Spirit #1 in April 1974 by Warren Publishing Co. copyright 1974 Will Eisner.
Trouble
"The situation goes from mad to worse in the blink of an eye... I jump... and by the same measure of time, too late." -from "Bent Twigs" by Bill Sienkiewicz in Batman Black and White. originally published by DC Comics in 1996 as single issues, collected into trade paperback form in 1998. copyright 1996, 1998 DC Comics.
Undercover Activity
"The real danger of Undercover work comes in the focus it takes to stay in character. By the time I shifted my attention to the hum of a charging weapon -- it was too late." -from "The Great Pretender" in Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #5 by Mark Waid, Brian K. Vaughn, and Doug Baithwaite. published January 1999 by Marvel Comics. copyright 1998 Marvel Characters, Inc.
The Universe
"Had he saved the Heavens to create his own personal hell? He shouted his agony at the twinkling stars until tears dampened his cheeks, clouded his vision. What good was the universe with its great majesty and endless freedom without other life to share the joy and pain of existence?" -from "The Exile At The Edge of Eternity" by Jim Steranko in Superman (1st series) #400. published by and copyright October 1984 DC Comics.
Useless effort
"Why don't you fight?!"
"You've already done too much killing... Look overhead!"
"AAA! Thousands of them!!"
"Strobe grenades and worm flutes won't work anymore..." -from Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind by Hayao Miyazaki (Part 1, Book three of seven). English translation by David Lewis and Toren Smith (Studio Proteus). originally published by Tokuma Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., in Japan. American version published (in 1989?) by Viz Comics. copyright 1989 Hayao Miyazaki/Tokuma Shoten.
Viciousness
"He sent you there to die... to be killed."
"And he sent his crazy son Connor to my family... to kill them."
"There's no excuse foe such vicious behavior. We're not animals--- we're businessmen." Mr. Nitti and Mr. O' Sullivan in Road to Perdition by Max Allan Cllins and Richard Piers Rayner. Published 1998 by Simon & Schuster (Pocket Books) by arrangement with DC Comics (under the Paradox imprint). script copyright 1998 Max Alan Collins. art copyright 1998 Richard Piers Rayner.
Violence
"He fell against me! He was the only thing that stood between me and death. I could feel the life gush out of him..." -from Enemy Ace: War Idyll by George Pratt. published by and copyright 1990 DC Comics.
Visions
"Interpreter... I think I understand... These visons have told me that my safety will depend not on cleverness or strength-- but on simple courage and faith." -from Pilgrim's Progress by Martin Powell and Seppo Makinen, adapted from the book by John Bunyan. published by 1992 Marvel Comics. copyright 1992 Marvel Entertainment Group, Inc.
Waltzing
"Didn't you dance just for fun, as a kid?"
"Well, actually, when I was a real little kid, my mom taught me to waltz..." -Jenny and Zot from Zot: Season of Dreams by Scott McCloud. collected into trade paperback form in 1998 as Zot: Book Two. copyright 1987, 1988, 1998 Scott McCloud.
War
"But I do know there is not honorable battle and dishonorable battle. There is only battle...and hatred, pain, and suffering. There is the swift kick of exhilaration as you slice through an enemy-- there's the horror of death and the overwhelming joy of your next breath-- --no matter who had to pay for that breath." -Hawkman #20 by William Messner Loebs and Steve Lieber. published and copyright May 1995 by DC Comics
Women
"One thought had been repeating itself in his head, over and over: everything he'd ever done in his life had been for a woman. It wasn't entirely true, but it felt true to him, since the only thing in his recent memory that he'd done just for himself had landed him here." --from Fall by Ed Brubaker and Jason Lutes. published February 2001 by Drawn and Quarterly. copyright 2001 by Ed Brubaker and Jason Lutes.
X-Ray Vision
"He can see through walls clear to China." -from Superman For All Seasons: Fall by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. published by and copyright 1998 DC Comics.
Xenophobia
"For the first time, I walk amongst men... and they do not seek to drive me from them! So intent are they upon their own pursuits... They notice none who pass them by!" -from The Essential Silver Surfer By Stan Lee and John Buscema. originally published in magazine form in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, and collected in a trade paperback in 1998. copyright 19967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1998 Marvel Characters, Inc.
Young Death
"The concept of mortality is unknown to children. The happy sound of children at play are a lure for other children. A fusillade of sniper fire educates the survivors and cuts short a future never to be realized by others. Is a bonus (ital) paid for eliminating a young life? What is the cost (ital) of a young life that could have been another Picasso...or da Vinci..or Beethoven? Or your (ital) Child?" Ervin Rustemagic in Fax from Sarajevo by Joe Kubert (Based on a true story) published October 1996 by Dark Horse Comics. copyright 1996 Joe Kubert.
Zen
Monk: "There is a third type of music-- the music of heaven-- but how can one describe that which mortals cannot hear?"
Usagi: "Like the sound of one hand clapping?"
Monk: "Ha! You quote the Zen master Hakuin."
--from "The Music of Heaven" by Stan Sakai. originally published in comic book form by Mirage. reprinted 1998 by Dark Horse Comics in the trade paperback Usagi Yojimbo: Daisho. copyright 1998 Stan Sakai.
Zion
"Back to the coffee shops! Back to our friends! Back to our families!"
"Right!"
"Check the compass again, Yussi!"
"Again?"
"The last time we left Egypt it took 40 years to find the right road back!" -from Dry Bones by Ya'akov Kirschen collected into Israel's Comic Strip Dry Bones published in 1976 by Cherryfield Associates, printed by the Jerusalem Post Press. copyright 1976 Kirschen.
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