Don and I actually reviewed My Uncle Jeff back in November, and we were one of a loud chorus of voices that agreed that it's worth a look. Now the finished book is out, and it seems worth a reminder that Uncle Jeff is a great debut by two impressive talents, and will no doubt be one of the best reads you'll have in 2003. It puts me in mind of Me and Edith Head, which turned out to be my favorite single issue of 2002, and it has a similar strength of voice and artwork, even though the story and art is quite different.
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.
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 Tom Beland in True Story Swear to God, 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.
As for the artwork, it puts me in mind of Tim (The Copybook Tales) Levins as well as Christine (Hopeless Savages) Norrie. Whatever his influences or who he reminds me of, though, the artwork is terrific, and well-suited to the story. Some terrific character designs and absolutely beautiful use of shadows, filling in just enough background detail to give the readers a sense of place without losing the focus on the characters that is essential to the tale. Just as Hurd's writing draws us into his world, Camello's artwork invites us to stay there for the duration of the story.
My Uncle Jeff is a remarkably honest and engaging story with terrific artwork, and one of the best reads I had in 2002. Don't miss it.
