Above all else, True Story is known as a romantic comedy, a touching and funny testament to a strong relationship. But it's also a slice-of-life book that examines much more than just the main characters' love. This issue focuses on a low point in the relationship. The warm fuzzy factor is toned down significantly here, and the "hero" of the story behaves so poorly here tha the reader wants to reach into the pages and slap him silly. What's impressive about it is that the character and creator are one and the same. Beland doesn't shy away from portraying himself ina negative light, and once again, he impresses with his remarkably honesty.
Tom's got his bearings, and he's figured out how life works in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, it works at a snail's pace when it comes to payment for services renders, and it works on a unilingual level (and it's not English) far too often for Tom's taste. He's dependent on Lily for so much, and it's beginning to wear thin. The prospect of a full-time job raises Tom's spirits, but the meeting with a local publisher doesn't go the way Tom expected. Tom also discovers there's something in the world worse than waiting on the phone for a customer service representative, and that's waiting on the phone for a customer service representative that doesn't speak the same language that you do.
Beland's cartoony style suits the over-the-top explosion of indignant anger in the middle of this issue, and it brings Lily's confused outrage and sympathy perfectly as well. Despite the simpler tone of his style, he conveys a real sense of place here. His art isn't realistic, per se, but he's nevertheless effective at taking the reader to the backdrops here, be it a publisher's office, the quaint charm of a San Juan street or the colorful confines of a comic shop.
Oh man, does Beland ever hit the nail on the head here. I've had that conversation, that talk with a potential boss who tosses a thoroughly meagre bone to a professional who's worth so much more. It's an issue of respect, and when you're not getting it from someone, there's no need to offer it yourself.
Up to now, Beland's character has focused all of his attention on someone else: Lily, but in this issue, Tom's attention turns around and focuses on himself. Tom is completely self-centred here, and there's actually nothing wrong with that. In fact, one could say it's healthy. It's how Tom deals with his frustrations that turns the reader against him. He's oblivious to the fact that everything he rants and raves about here are actually near and dear to Lily's heart. He doesn't see that she feels his disdain for her home could be seen as disdain for a part of her. Tom's actions are aggravated by the fact that Lily is really trying to create a home for Tom, to give him something fun and familiar to embrace. The strongest moment in this issue is the quietest one, when an uncertain and painful silence separates the two lovers.
Of course, the reason the reader doesn't toss this comic in disgust over Tom's bone-headed behavior is that it's remarkably easy to relate to his frustrations here. Being out of work, being an outsider, feeling cut off from friends and family... it's completely understandable why Tom's working with a short fuse here. He feels powerless, even moreso because he thought he had professional satisfaction within arm's reach, making for a nice balance to his romantic satisfaction. 10/10
