Purple Haze, by Martha Thomases

Sat Nov 1, 2008 — by Martha Thomases

Purple Haze, by Martha Thomases

Brilliant Disguise

Originally, I wasn’t supposed to have a column.

Mike Gold wanted to have regular writers contributing during the week, Monday through Friday. He had the list of people he wanted to include – comics veterans like John Ostrander, Denny O’Neil and Michael Davis, plus popular blogger Elayne Riggs – and he wanted a soapbox for himself.

Me? I’m the publicist. I’m supposed to draw attention to the product, not to myself. The best publicist is the one you don’t see.

However, I’m also a team player. And an egomaniac. So, when the website started, and we didn’t always have a lot of content, I started to write. I wrote short essays that could get thrown up on the site when we were short on material. I’ve only been reading comics for 50 years, so there was always something on my mind.

One day, Mike said that, since I seemed to be writing regularly, perhaps my writing should have a name and a regular time slot. And so was born Brilliant Disguise, named for one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs, from one of the more depressing Bruce Springsteen albums. It’s about love and loss, and the lies we tell ourselves so we can take care of each other through the tough times. How appropriate.

Comics are part of the popular culture, and pop culture reflects our hopes and fears, our loves and our lusts. In my youth, we used rock’n’roll (and folk music and jazz) to talk about Viet Nam. Kids today (with the cell phones and the hair and the clothes!) use rap and hip hop, but it’s the same impulse. Movies and television and comics eventually caught on, usually at an underground level at first, then through metaphors and allegory at the corporate level (thanks, Denny!).

I find it impossible to talk about comics without talking about politics, fashion, religion and history. I find it impossible to talk about politics (and sometimes fashion, religion and history) without talking about comics.

So much of our conversation in this country is based on the assumption that there are two sides to everything. You’re DC or Marvel. You’re either a Mac or a PC. You’re a Democrat or a Republican. You’re white or minority. You’re male or you’re female. You’re saved or you’re damned. You’re Republican red or you’re Democratic blue. And if you like something that doesn’t fit into this dyad, you’re treated like a fringe-hugging lunatic because we don’t understand anything beyond the binary.

Some of us don’t fit neatly into a slot. Some of us are more fluid. Some of us are Jewish and pagan and agnostic all at once. Some of us use whatever computer is in front of us. Some of us like super heroes and Alison Bechdel.

And some of us are purple.

This next week is going to make history. Those of you who are legally registered have an opportunity to vote for a President who will lead this country through one of its most difficult times. If you’ve been reading my previous columns, you know which candidate I support (here’s a hint: it’s not McCain). However, even if you don’t agree with me, I want you to vote. The more people who participate in our government, the stronger it will be.

This column has been a way for me to fuse my obsessions, and for that, I’m very grateful. There is too little pleasure and joy in the world, and it was my goal to point you towards those things that cheered me, hoping that they would also make you happy. It’s been wonderful to chat with you in the comments section, especially those who disagreed.

Be excellent to each other.

Martha Thomases, Media Goddess of ComicMix, is looking for a few new altars.

Jump to comments (25)

Comments (25)

Inappropriate or promotional comments may be removed.

Rick Taylor (7:28 AM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Martha,

I'm going to miss waking up Saturday mornings to you column.

But I am greatly blessed with the friendship of you and your family. I'll never forget the shelter you guys gave me on 9/11 when everyone was running around in fear and disbelief. I'll always have access to your insight, wit and love.

For that I will always be grateful.

And for that I thank you.

Kissnoise.

Martha Thomases (6:59 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

We'll always be in touch, sweetie. I need someone to talk to about Barbies.

Tony Isabella (7:31 AM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Let me add my voice to the many who feel ComicMix will be much less entertaining without its columnists. I couldn't give a rodent's posterior about most of the news and I find the comics something of a chore to read in this format, but I kept visiting every day for you and Michael and John and Elayne and Mike and Denny. If you decide to continue your weekly messages on a blog, please let me know where to go to read them.

Patrick (8:42 AM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Terrific as always, Martha! You will be sorely missed!

Thank you, darling.

John Tebbel (8:52 AM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

There's a bit in Citizen Kane about a picture of the best team in town. The ComicMix columnists and podcasters were that team.

It doesn't happen very often; I'm glad I got to see it.

Johanna Hall (9:15 AM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Thanks for so much good and thoughtful writing! Please let me know where and when you are posting again. Maybe it's time for a book?

pennie (9:52 AM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Martha My Dear,
If you weren't the first person I met in college so long ago, maybe you were the second. and you've remained my "oldest" and best friend through the years. You're the reason I come to the site.
How many people blend and articulate so many threads we share?
Not so much. Not so many.
Simply put: you get it. No need to run the list.
I loved reading you regularly.
I'm going to miss that.
I'm on my knees (wouldn't be the first time) for the Big "O" on Tuesday.
I'm also driving people who lack transportation in my district to the firehouse to vote.
We need this one. By we, I mean all of America.
So next Saturday, from one who has lost her job to another, we'll both do a lot better with Obama taking the wheel than the old gray-haired guy and his second banana. It will be a better country and world.
Still, I'll miss your musings as much as I miss sitting across the table chatting.
Parting words: You ROCK!
xxoo,
pennie

Martha Thomases (7:00 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Driving people to the firehouse? You're a goddess.

Uncle Robbie (2:11 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

All good things, as the saying goes. Stupid saying. I console myself with the knowledge that to your insights and humor are available to me in a much more intimate forum, where royalty once mingled with commoners and everything remains fabulous. If I had the sympathy gene (and you know I don't) I'd mourn for those who don't have such ready access to the uniqueness that is you. Bonne chance et beaucoup d'encouragement ma cherie!

Joe in Philly (4:33 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Ditto, except I have a sympathy gene. Sometimes.

Uncle Robbie (4:39 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

In the words of Hedley Lamarr, "Ditto?! You provincial putz!"

Martha Thomases (7:01 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Do you think the Pink Princess would have graced our lowly site with her presence? That would have been a truly royal event.

Thanks!

Uncle Robbie (1:34 AM on Sun Nov 2, 2008)

Of course, darling. She was always supportive of Her chosen ones (noblesse oblige, you know). She'd have been reigning here and deigning there and really *that* fabulous all over the place.

Michael Davis (4:49 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

You still are the undisputed winner of the best single article I have ever read on the net. Yes, including mine...AND you know how hard that was for me to say. I really REALLY hope that there is a way (and I'm working on it ) that we can work together again very soon.

You are best of the very best my dear Martha. DAMN...SAPPY. Well you know what? For you I'll be sappy.

Rick Taylor (5:15 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

No asian girls?

From your lips to God's ear.

Swayze (7:22 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

I am guessing by the comments above that I have the distinct privilege of being able to say I have known you the longest of all your fans. Your column has brought you back into my life on a regular basis, and is something I looked forward to (or, as miss Cole would say, to which I looked forward) every week... and now no more? Yikes! Not a happy thought.
So please, stay in touch. Keep putting your musings somewhere, so we can read them and think about what you are doing, saying, thinking.
And yes, fingers crossed, prayers said, levers pulled, ballots filled, computers fingered et al. Just please, please let Obama win. If not, come join me because I will be starting a commune in Australia.

Martha Thomases (8:03 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Oooh, my sister-in-law lives in Australia.

Uncle Robbie (1:38 AM on Sun Nov 2, 2008)

I'll send you a postcard from Vancouver, BC (BCE?).

Elayne Riggs (7:11 AM on Sun Nov 2, 2008)

Martha, it's been a privilege sharing "column space" (as it were, since we columnists never did get our own separate space here) with you (and Mike, Denny, John and Michael) all these months. One of the things that I think really strengthened our roster here was that we had two regulars who happen to be female, I think it took ComicMix a bit beyond the "token woman" angle. I'm also very grateful for all the good advice you've given me over the course of our friendship, and I hope I can continue to learn from your terrific example for many more years to come. You are the classic mensch. Thank you so much for everything!

Martha Thomases (8:59 AM on Sun Nov 2, 2008)

Thanks, Elayne. Age has its privileges.

Russ Rogers (6:07 PM on Mon Nov 3, 2008)

Martha, Thank you for all the columns. Thank you for the extended discussions and debates your column would inspire. We didn't always agree. But I've rarely seen the rhetoric anywhere on ComicMix (including the comments) degenerate into name calling. That is definitely a credit to the columnists, for setting a civil, respectful tone. As much or more than anyone, you set the tone on ComicMix as a smart, witty, polite, occasionally irreverent, socially relevant and politically aware place.

I've already got Pen Elayne, The John Ostrander Message Board and MicheaDavisWorld.com bookmarked. Is there a blog, a site or a message board where we can look for more of "Brilliant Disguise"? I hope so. I also hope you find the time (and a publisher) for your comics writing. I really enjoyed your turn in Munden's.

Anonymous (2:27 PM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

You're leaving and they've never been able to figure out how to give me an account. You will be missed here, but I'm glad I can still count you among my circle of friends. And I still quote you in my intro to theatre classes (though I live for the day when I don't have to teach them any more).

See you on line.

Love,

The Other Frank Miller

jody (11:28 AM on Sat Nov 1, 2008)

Dear Martha,

I have gotten to know you more from reading this column than from being your step-sister for 27 years. More about you through your writing, your dreams, memories, hopes and of course, your strong and well grounded opinions. I will miss reading your column every Saturday, and hope that the saying, everything happens for a reason, is very true in this case. Love, Jody

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Sat Nov 1, 2008 — by Martha Thomases