CBR11 Bingo Square: Reader’s Choice (replacing: Classics)
Let me begin by saying that I did indeed want to read a classic for my classics square: I really wish I could get into the old language more, but it’s such a struggle for me! And truth be told I did start reading Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but I just kept drifting and realized about a tenth of the way in that I wasn’t up to the task (so instead I connived my friends into watching the movie as a part of our weekly movie-nights Keanu-athon, and boooooy howdy does that movie make some choices). Anywho, I therefore am using my Reader’s Choice square for the spot of Moonshot.
Moonshot: The Indigenous Comics Collection is indeed exactly as described on the tin. This collection of short comics and graphic stories come from indigenous authors and artists (including but not limited to those identifying as Métis, Inuit, Dene, Anishnaabe, Cree, Mi’Kmaq, Caddo, Haida, Sioux, and Suquamish), and largely focus on lesser-known stories and beings from indigenous oral histories. A main focus of the collection is to present these stories and characters in ways that differ from the too-common stereotypes that make up the majority of aboriginal representation in media.
The stories and artwork within this collection is varied, though most of the stories included are very short: I felt like many of them were just finding their feet or barely just began and suddenly that was the end. I need to slow down and savor them a bit more. However, the inclusion of some explanations and inspirations at the beginning of each included section added a deeper understanding for me that I would not necessarily have picked up on otherwise, even if the explanation was short itself. The artwork, however, is stunning, and in particular there are a few isolated pieces that are not per-say a part of any story included that really stood out to me. These include: Water Spirit by Haiwei Hou, and Northern Crow by Stephen Gladue (also used for the cover), and a few others that I can’t find links or images of such as “Harbinger” and “Raven Stealing Light” by Jeffrey Veregge, and “Thunderbird” by Stephen Gladue.
Overall this was a quick read, and while I would have liked to have gone more in-depth with some of the stories, they all had at least some interesting aspects to them. Of course, with any collection, mileage may vary, but the scope and purpose of this work is irrevocably meaningful, and gives voice to a range of stories and perspectives that are often not well-represented.
