If you didn't already know, NYU's local paper, The Washington Square news did a piece on The Comic Book League and we made the front page! Well, the lower bottom half of the front page, but front page nonetheless -that's got to count for something! So, if you haven't already read the hard copy (c'mon, like, almost everybody on campus religiously reads The WSN...I mean, nobody I know does, but I'm sure there are a few who do), or checked it out here, then here's a copy-and-paste job.
December 1, 2010
by Cory Stieg
In an age ruled by video games and television, NYU's Comic Book League is fighting to keep the retro comic book tradition alive. The Comic Book League is a club for anyone with a passion for comics, from manga to Marvel.
Formerly named "Bags n' Boards," a reference to the plastic bags comics are stored in, the CBL began in 2005 as a small group of comic book fans. Since then, the league has expanded dramatically. Alums from the club have gone on to intern at comic publishing companies such as DC and Marvel, putting the club in a league of its own.
They meet every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Kimmel Center Lounge. At the end of each semester, they publish a student-written and student-drawn compilation of comics, which are free and available on the seventh floor of Kimmel. Anyone in the league is welcome to submit their own comics, giving them the professional experience of working on a comic book.
"[We're] allowing someone with an interest in comics, dramatic writing, art or editing, to try it out to see if they like it or to continue to better their craft and collaborate with new people," Michael Coppola, junior and treasurer of the CBL said.
Twice a semester the CBL invites a guest speaker to the meetings. In the past they've had Alan Robert, author and illustrator of the graphic novel "Wire Hangers," as well as Marvel assistant editor Michael Horwitz.
Along with creating its own comic book, the CBL is supporting the comic book industry, one that has suffered a great loss in the past five years.
"The comic book industry is dying, and it's aware it's dying," Tisch freshman David Jacobs said. "And this awareness is accelerating the fact. For whatever reason, people just don't read comics anymore."
Publishing companies have taken extra strides to ensure that their comics are accessible in this digital age. Applications for the iPhone and iPad have been developed so that comic aficionados can conveniently store their favorite comics on their phones. Likewise, the Internet has allowed fans to find rare comics, as well as manage their collection of books.
"As someone who had tons and tons of single issues and I have to buy long boxes to store them, I'm like 'Yes, please!' Put things on digital so that it's easier to organize, easier to store and find," said Gallatin senior and president of the CBL, Courtney Woods.
There is an ongoing debate on whether or not putting comics online defeats the purpose of a comic book. But comics as a classic form of entertainment are being kept alive by dedicated fans like the members of the League.
"Comics can get away with so much ridiculousness that would never fly in a novel, movie or TV show, and other genres can get away with things comics can't," CAS junior Wendy Xu said. "But I like the things comics can get away with better."
When asked why students should join the CBL, Woods was clear.
"It's accepting, it's open and it's a league."
