IntroductionIntroduction
It was a time of severe depression when I was first introduced
to Johnny. In fact, if it hadn't been such a time, I am sure I would not
have touched the thing at all. However, since it was such a period in my
life, when my friend first leant me the graphic novel, I started reading
it. What I found was not what I expected at all. Here was a character that
I could identify with, one who was going through many of the turmoils and
situations that I myself was facing. The difference was, he was a homicidal
maniac and I was not. Surprising? I hope not.
At any rate, I finished the novel with great satisfaction
and went out and bought my own copy. Over time, I noticed the interesting
things that everyone who has read this comic strip notices; the changing
messages on Johnny's shirts, the hidden Happy Noodle Boys, the subliminal
messages in the margins, the fun little messages in Johnny's Die-ary, etc.
These things were cute and I enjoyed the comic strip more for their being
there, but all in all, it didn't really change my opinion of the comic
strip. That didn't happen until I got into college.
It was in a literature class that we were reading Don
Quixote, by Miguel De Cervantes. Included with the curriculum, we also
had to read various essays written about the book and it was these that
first changed my opinion of the comic book series of Johnny. Since then,
I have read back through the graphic novel and, to my surprise, discovered
a rich literary work. This was not merely a piece of entertainment, nor
was it something that I could simply identify with. This was an absolutely
superb piece of literature. Thus, it is my hope that with this web page,
I can introduce some of my reasons to you for believing this.
Now I understand that these are simply my opinions and
nothing more. If you find me arrogant or presumptuous, you don't have to
read any further. However, if you feel so inclined to read what I have
to say, I have included in this page various essays I have written on the
subject of "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac" (you're thinking, "Now who's the
insane one here," aren't you?). It is my hope that you will find them enjoyable,
as I had a lot of fun writing them.
Essay One:"Triangular"
Desires of Johnny (On Johnny, the Doughboys, and The Moose)
Essay Two:"Triangular"
Desires of Johnny (On Heaven and Hell)
Essay Three:"Triangular"
Desires of Johnny (On Reverend Meat and Mr. Samsa)
Essay Four:The
Circles of Johnny and the Focal Point of Devi D.
Bibliography
Questions or comments can be e-mailed to me at:
CloakedMys@aol.com
This page has been visited times since January 26, 1999.