Don breaks out the Brill cream and Randy's in his poodle skirt as they think back on Days Like This.
Don:
Oni Press is branching out into the publishing of original graphic novels, and Days Like This will be one of their larger volumes early on in this new venture. I don't know if it will pay off financially (I hope and expect it will, though), but I do know that creatively, they've struck gold. J. Torres, King of Comic-Book Diversity, hits the bullseye with this 1950s slice-of-life story.
Randy:
Days Like This does indeed have what it takes to go to the top of the charts. I'm pleased that Oni decided to release the story as an 80-page graphic novel, complete in one book, rather than serialize it. Although of course Don and I must suffer through serialization of a sort, as this uncorrected preview features only the first 48 pages of the book.
By the way, Don... my poodle skirt? When did you install cameras in my house?
Days Like This
written by J. Torres
illustrated by Scott Chantler
edited by Jamie S. Rich
scheduled for release on March 26
Don:
It's 1962, and Anna Solomon has just divorced her record-producer husband. She's decided to put what she's learned on the sidelines into practice with the launch of her own record label, but first, she needs to assemble some talent. A trio of teenage girls who perform at Anna's daughter's school catches her eye, as does an enthusiastic young songwriter determined to craft the songs for the music industry's stars.
I think what I most enjoyed about this thoroughly impressive and down-to-earth story was how it doesn't just tell one character's story above the others. It's about Anna Solomon as much as it's about the dreams of a teenage girl named Christina. It's about a songwriter named Karen Prince, and it's about Christina's father's pride and expectations for his family. Torres has woven an intricate tapestry here, and I'm amazed he's presenting such a multi-faceted story in a scant 80 pages.
Randy:
Torres is working off a familiar story here, one that will be familiar those who saw That Thing You Do!, the NBC drama American Dreams or other stories surrounding the music of the mid-1950s and early 1960s. You've hit the nail on the head in your description as to what Days Like This is all about... it's about dreams and finding success and independence on your own terms. While Anna Solomon is very much the driving force of the story, without the aid of Christina or her mother, the story wouldn't resonate anywhere near as strongly.
Don:
Scott Chantler is a name that most comics readers probably won't recognize, but after Days Like This gets out there, I expect it'll be one that's in demand. His style is simple and charming, and it's perfectly suited for the innocent tone of this story. His work reminds one of Bruce Timm's style a little, but other influences seem apparent as well... the Archie house style, Paul (Leave It to Chance) Smith and even the late Chester (Dick Tracy) Gould. The grey tones add a greater depth to the visuals, reinforcing the realistic tone of the story.
Randy:
Yep, Chantler is a find all right. I especially like some of the subtleties of his storytelling, such as when he uses musical notes instead of lyrics to indicate that the characters are singing, or when the girls at Harmony Plaza make faces in reaction to Ben Solomon. Plenty of the story takes place in small gestures or important details in the art, and while it's Torres's love of this era of music is the guiding force, it's a true collaboration.
In addition, Chantler is right at home with the tone of the piece, which has a light humorous touch but plenty of more dramatic realities as well. While it's fun to see the antics of Christina's brother or the flustered outrage of her father, behind those emotions there's a sibling who doesn't really understand what's going on and a parent who thinks his daughter is being taken advantage of.
Don:
Days Like This seems to be about empowerment. All of the main protagonists are women, and it's fascinating to watch as they slowly try to inch their way into a world dominated by men. Their approaches are different... Anna takes what she wants, Karen quietly sneaks into position and Christina is forced to appease the chief male figure in her life -- her father.
Each one seems to be paying a price, though. Anna is in danger of losing a loved one, Karen is in danger of being exploited and 'Tina is unaware of how she's hurting her father, as her efforts to make her dream a reality is also indirectly snubbing his efforts to provide for her future.
This sweet story is not to be missed, and it's a sure bet that it'll stand out as one of the best graphic novels of 2003.
For more information about Scott Chantler, visit www.scottchantler.com. For more information about Oni Press, visit
