Even before creating The Boys, writer Garth Ennis was well-known for the profoundly satirical spirit that runs through his comic book work – yet the author has warned against the dangers of fiction written purely to lampoon something. According to Ennis, parody has a short-term value, but it is ultimately a hollow center around which to create a plot.
In an interview with CBR to promote the latest issue of his new series Babs the Barbarian – written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Jacen Burrows – the creator of The Boys and Preacher, as well as the author of Marvel Comics’ most legendary Punisher stories, was asked about satire and responded in a way that may surprise long-term readers.
Despite what fans might think, Ennis explained that satire is not the “be-all and end-all” of his work; instead, it is one dimension of the complex, multi-faceted stories he strives to tell.
Garth Ennis Explains The Misunderstood Role Satire Plays In Stories Like “The Boys”
The Author On The “Driving Force Behind Any Story”
The Boys is more than just satirical; its satire was caustic, oftentimes abrasive, and unrelenting. Yet as much as Garth Ennis set out to savage Marvel and DC superheroes alike with The Boys, satire was not the story’s true raison d’etre, its reason for being. Like any great story, as complex as it might be, its purpose was simple: to be a great story. In other words, to take the reader on an emotional journey – to make them laugh, but also to make them cry.
As Ennis describes it, pointing out the absurdities of the superhero genre was never an end in itself, but rather one means of achieving a reaction from his audience. In fact, in spite of his reputation as a satirist, Ennis was quick to argue that its impact is not as great as some might suggest – at least not for him as a writer.
Satire is rarely my number one imperative when I develop a project. The word seems to get thrown around as if it’s the be-all and end-all, somehow elevating any story beyond mere entertainment. I think the driving force behind any story has to be the belief that it’s a good one, that it’s worth telling, and any satirical elements are just one part of the whole. At most, taking a swipe at things you don’t like makes you feel a bit better, and hopefully does likewise for people who agree with your point of view.
Ennis’ views urge readers and other writers to reexamine the nature and significance of satire in literature.That is, the author’s comments should not diminish the importance of satire in Garth Ennis’ work, particularly The Boys. Rather, readers and viewers need reconsider how they interpret his use of satire in relation to the series’ other elements, such as its political criticism and perspective on mass media. Both of these are conveyed satirically in The Boys, for example, but they ultimately signify more than simply “taking a swipe” for its own purpose.
According To Garth Ennis, The Immediate Satisfaction Of Satire Isn’t Enough To Make A Good Story
Babs The Barbarian #2 – Written By Garth Ennis; Art By Jacen Burrows; Color By Andy Troy & Lee Loughridge; Lettering By Rob Steen
“At most, taking a swipe at things you don’t like makes you feel a bit better,” Garth Ennis told CBR, discussing how satire manifests in his work. For any author, to some degree or another, there is an element of dissatisfaction within them, motivating them – something that is especially true of those who utilize satire in their work to the degree that Ennis does. The satirical aspects of his writing, as he explained, come as a reaction to real-world frustrations, but his stories are guided by these frustrations, rather than defined by them.
That is because, in Ennis’ estimation, there is something ephemeral about the effect satire has. Certainly, fans and literary scholars alike will have their own opinions on Garth Ennis’ description of satire’s value, but it is hard not to find his position fascinating, given his association with it as a storytelling mode. Most readers will agree, however, that in essence, as the author stated, being satirical is not a shortcut to profundity. Satire is one way to deepen a story’s meaning, but it does not automatically “elevate” a piece of fiction, as Ennis put it.
“Babs The Barbarian” Transports Garth Ennis Signature Style To A “Sword & Sorcery” Setting
Satire Included
The focus of Garth Ennis’ conversation with CBR was Babs the Barbarian #2; the new series finds Ennis taking his familiar, patented style to a new genre, the “sword and sorcery” epic. Through its first two issues, Ennis’ humor – and his characteristic satirical subversion of familiar tropes and conventions – has been on display, and he’s certain to continue pulling at these threads as Babs continues. With that in mind, it was the interviewer’s suggestion that the genre is “ripe for satire” that prompted the author to caution against overemphasizing that aspect of the book.
Readers should check out Babs the Barbarian because they want action, adventure, and humor, as well as emotional weight, all wrapped up in a plot that has surprises in store for them as it progresses. Without a doubt, satire will permeate this project along the way, but it won’t be the operating principal of the narrative, so to speak. Instead, Garth Ennis’ satirical impulse will be one of the many rich pieces of fabric that the author weaves together to produce a unique tapestry of ideas.
The Boys Used Effective Satire To Hook Readers Into Its Tragic Story Arc
The Boys #1-72 – Written By Garth Ennis; Art By Darick Robertson & More
Whatever Garth Ennis thinks about satire and its impact in general, it is easy to argue that it is one of the most memorable features of his work. It exists throughout his other stories to varying degrees, with The Boys being the most prominently sarcastic title in his oeuvre – and, in the long run, proving to be the most internationally regarded and commercially successful narrative of his career, thanks to the Amazon TV version. However, with his views in mind, it is interesting reflecting on why The Boys’ satire was so powerful.
