(Editor’s Note: the header picture above doesn’t essentially include the Four Good Comics mentioned on this interview.)
Zack Quaintance is a revered determine in the comics world. He’s the critiques editor right here at The Beat, in addition to the founder and former head of his personal Eisner-snubbed comics journalism web site, Comics Bookcase. He’s additionally a comics author himself, having launched his suburban neo-noir Next Door #1 again in 2021, with extra in the works. When Zack talks, individuals hear. So when he tweeted again in February that there are solely 4 good comics, the complete of the comics trade took discover.
there’s like 4 good comics however i am going to by no means let you know what they’re
— Comics Bookcase (Zack Quaintance) (@ComicsBookcase) February 9, 2023
“there’s like four good comics,” Zack wrote, “but i’ll never tell you what they are” [lack of capitalization and punctuation his]. Questions from followers have been met with refusals on Zack’s half to disclose and even supply clues as to what the good comics are.
How might this be? The fashionable comedian e-book has been round since the ’30s, with a whole bunch of hundreds if not tens of millions revealed in the practically 100 years since. How might solely 4 of them be good? And what metric was Zack utilizing to make that dedication?
In this unique interview, The Beat sat down with Quaintance to attempt to get to the backside of what the 4 good comics are.
Zack Quaintance, who has found out the 4 good comics however received’t inform anybody what they’re: okay, what do you need to know?
Joe Grunenwald: You’ve mentioned that you recognize what the good comics are. How did you come to know this?
Quaintance, who has found out the 4 good comics however received’t inform anybody what they’re: Simple actually, I learn all the comics and i discovered the 4 good ones.
Grunenwald: When you say “the four good ones,” do you imply that each one the others are unhealthy? Or simply that these 4 are the greatest ones?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA (who has found out the 4 good comics however received’t inform anybody what they’re): I feel I made myself fairly clear.
Grunenwald: If you had I wouldn’t be asking for clarification.
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: Next query.
Grunenwald: Why are you refusing to inform anybody what the 4 good comics are?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: There’s that outdated adage, all the pieces has a worth, and that pertains right here.
Grunenwald: So you’re saying you’d inform somebody for the proper worth?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: Absolutely.
Grunenwald: Do you will have a quantity in thoughts?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: For $250, I’ll begin to consider revealing one in every of the good comics.
Grunenwald: Maybe I’ll Venmo you.
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: That’s the first good concept you’ve ever had.
Grunenwald: Are you open to the risk of including comics that haven’t but been launched to the record of fine comics? Could there ever be a fifth good comedian?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: I definitely hope so, sure.
Grunenwald: What in your opinion makes a comic book worthy of being one in every of the good ones?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: That’s an important query, Joe, and I’m glad you requested it. As Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart as soon as mentioned of hardcore pornography, I do know it after I see it.
Grunenwald: So it’s form of an ineffable factor? Or unquantifiable could also be a greater phrase.
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: Oh, I feel it’s very effable — wait, are we speaking about the good comics or hardcore pornography?
Grunenwald: Yes. If I identify some comics, will you inform me in the event that they’re one in every of the 4 good comics?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: You can identify all the comics you want, however I received’t let you know what the 4 good comics are.
Grunenwald: Not even when one in every of them is Watchmen?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: I’m my venmo and never seeing $250.
Grunenwald: In the absence of cost, do you plan to take this data to your grave?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: No, however solely as a result of I don’t plan on dying. I’m consuming properly, and exercising as a lot as thrice every week. With advances in medical science…properly, who is aware of.
Grunenwald: You’re one in every of the most fascinating individuals I’ve ever spoken to. Do you will have a publication I can subscribe to? Also, is Bone one in every of the good comics?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: Oh, that’s bizarre.
Grunenwald: …What?
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: I can’t discover the center finger emoji.
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: 🖕
Quaintance, WHFOTFGCBWTAWTA: nevermind, there it’s.
[At this point Quaintance abruptly left the chat, ending the discussion. His whereabouts, like the four good comics, are currently unknown.]
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