how about the manner in which morrison and hughes sharpen their story towards a place where - using the real world experiences of one of the most revered comic creators of all in frank hampson - obvious affection for the character becomes a smart expose of creator rights (or lack of them) in the comics industry of not so long ago? that, i suggest, was subversion. as was the satire, the retro design, the skewering of the jingoistic cynicism that lies behind most political sloganeering, the commentary on what the implications and consequences of apparently throw away comic panels from back in the day would actually be.
all of this was only possible because of our collective preconceptions of what a dan dare entertainment might be.
i think it's still relevant and thought-provoking. and i had never read anything like it before.
(i like it, anyway).
