By now, I think my feelings on the Eisner-nominated True Story Swear to God are well-known, but in case you haven't been reading, let me restate: This is one of the five best comic books being published today. However, while every issue stands alone for the most part, this is also the continuing story of an unfolding romance, and readers at large owe a huge thanks to the folks at AIT/Planet Lar for putting the first story arc into a collected, continuously in print form. I've read and loved each of these issues individually, and I wasn't surprised to see how well they complement one another when read all at once.
If you don't know the story of TSSTG, here it is: Lucky guy meets lucky girl at magic kingdom, they fall in love in a sappy fashion not usually seen outside Nora Ephron movies, and romance ensues. Sounds kind of dull, doesn't it? It's not, though, and there are several reasons for that. First reason, and probably the most compelling thing about the book, is the honesty that Beland brings to the page. Beland says things in print that many of us would have a hard time admitting to our sweethearts without feeling a little sheepish and vulnerable, and it's clear from his joy in sharing all of this story how much Lily means to him.
Second, and probably the most endearing thing about TSSTG if you're single and not able to empathize whole-heartedly with the idea of true love, is Beland's sense of humor. Many (including myself) have compared him to Bendis, and you can definitely see some of the similarities to Bendis's true life strips in some of the moments in this book. Stories of encounters with thoughtless fast food employees, drunk priests and of course the difficulties of family pervade the book, and Beland has plenty to say about his first visit to Puerto Rico, which is now his adopted home but which was at the time just a place that was eighty degrees outside in the middle of the night.
TSSTG is broken up into issue-sized chunks of story, each one containing its own beginning, middle and end but telling the larger story of the Tom-Lily romance as well. The four issues here cover their meeting, their first few months apart, their first reunion in Napa and their second in Puerto Rico. Each has the overriding theme of romance and a growing relationship, but each also has something different to offer the readers. Whether it's thoughts on destiny and romance, the difficulties of long-distance love, or the joy of sharing your home with someone new, the stories read very well either separately or as one large story with discrete chapter breaks.
TSSTG is one of those books that I can't stop reading once I pick it up, even though I've read it all before. I'll flip to a random page, laugh at a joke and find myself reading it all the way to the end again. If you're a romantic at all, you need to have True Story Swear to God on your bookshelf. However, even if you're one of the many embittered, cynical anti-romantics (and I had those days myself before I met and married my wife, so I know whereof I speak) I think you'll find something to like about TSSTG, notably the humor and the hope that Beland imparts, that destiny and true love could strike at any moment, even if you've given up on it.
