Don and Randy are invited to a family reunion, where they meet My Uncle Jeff.
Don:
The mini-comics world is a wonderful thing, as it allows new creative voices to be heard -- even if only by a few -- regardless of budget. Damon Hurd is one such voice, but given the power behind his slice-of-life storytelling here, it won't be long before he reaches a much wider audience. This is not only one of the best mini-comics I've read, but it's one of the best comics stories I've read all year.
Randy:
Amen to that. My Uncle Jeff puts me in mind of another mini-comic you and I reviewed a while back, Me and Edith Head. It has a similar strength of voice and artwork, and though it's in mini-comic format, it is stronger than a number of regular format books on the stands.
Note: Although the copy of My Uncle Jeff we reviewed was a mini-comic in format, it will in fact be solicited in the next Diamond Previews as a 32-page comic with black and white interiors and a full color cardstock cover.
My Uncle Jeff
published by Origin Comics
written by Damon Hurd
illustrated by Pedro Camello
edited by Kathryn Hurd
Don:
A family gathers for a long-awaited reunion in Philadelphia, and among those in attendance is Jeff, the writer's uncle whom he hasn't seen in a decade. He's the black sheep of the family, but still adored. The real purpose of the reunion is for Jeff and his siblings to decide what to do about their father, hindered by age and a degenerative mental condition. It's a sad time, but even moreso for Jeff, who feels powerless to help his father.
Camello's artwork reminds me a great deal of the work of Tim Levins. Now, Levins may be better known for his pencils on Batman: Gotham Adventures, but My Uncle Jeff puts me in mind of his efforts on the slice-of-life title, The Copybook Tales. Camello's style is similar cartoony and simple, but it's expressive. He uses darkness and shadow to great effect here as well. To a lesser extent, his artwork is reminiscent of the styles of Philip (Vertigo Pop! London) Bond and Darwyn (Catwoman) Cooke as well.
Randy:
I definitely agree with you about Levins, it was the first place my mind went as well. However, if you look closely, I think you'll also see similarities in style to Christine (Hopeless Savages) Norrie. Whatever his influences or who he reminds us of, though, I think we can both agree that the artwork is terrific, and well-suited to the story. Just as Hurd's writing draws us into his world, Camello's artwork invites us to stay there for the duration of the story.
Don:
The most striking thing about Hurd's scripting is its unflinching honesty. HIs story reminds me of the thoroughly genuine tone of Tom Beland's wonderful True Story Swear to God series. But Hurd examines some thoroughly dark territory. This isn't about the quirks of everyday life, but about the challenges alone. The opening look at part of Hurd's family tree and the harshness to be found along its limbs is blunt and shocking, but he also points out that even the most corrupt or sick person in the world represents some kind of a happy memory for someone else.
Randy:
Once again, we're in agreement. Hurd presents his family warts and all, and it's clear in his honest portrayal of the love he has for them as well as the hardships some of them have caused in the past. What's most impressive is that, like Beland, Hurd avoids the tendency of autobiographical comics to get a little too self-indulgent, and while he's telling us intimate details of his life and private relationship stuff, he is also relating a story that is entertaining in its own right. I'm also impressed that while Hurd's story deals with some very dark issues, he conveys some of the more fun and uplifting elements of life as well.
Don:
Though some readers may not realize it, Hurd offers up an unfortunately universal story. Facing the illness of a elder family member is an ordeal that just about everyone has faced or will face. Mind you, the unusual aunt or uncle is a staple of just about every family as well, and celebrating the special nature of that person's differences is heartening.
Randy:
I'm blessed with a remarkably wonderful family and family-in-law, and the only troubles I've had with my family have been relatively minor. But the experiences of Hurd with some of his extended family, and some of the amusingly strange aunts or uncles, is something that does come across as universal, and though his experiences are different from mine, I find myself easily able to relate to the central core of this book, which is essentially a love letter to a favorite uncle.
My Uncle Jeff is a remarkably honest and engaging story with terrific artwork, and one of the best reads I've had all year. Don't miss it.
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