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Snapshots for 7/25/05
There's no way that Don and I can cover all of the material we have for review in full reviews, so these capsule reviews will offer some brief comments on other recent releases. This week, a little something different, as all three of these Snapshots cover graphic novels.
AEIOU OGN
by Jeffrey Brown (Top Shelf Productions)
 aeiou (or Any Easy Intimacy, I'm not sure which is the official title) is the third of Jeffrey Brown's "relationship trilogy" books, which also includes Clumsy and Unlikely. There's a lot of similarity to be found in these three graphic novels, as they're all about Brown's relationships, and while the girls and specifics are different, the generalities of how Brown handles a relationship all seem pretty much the same in each book. Brown use a nonlinear storytelling approach that sort of hits the various relationship moments, from the most trivial to the most crucial, and he treats them with equal weight. A stupid fight about nothing is given the same weight as a comment or action that puts a crack in the foundation of the relationship. There's a certain honesty to that, as it is often the little things as much as the big ones that can poison a long-term relationship, but after three graphic novels, it also has the unfortunate side effect of making Brown look like he's sabotaging every relationship he's ever had, or at least all the ones he's writing about. There's neuroses on both sides of the equation, just like always, and Brown should be given credit for the warts and all portrayal of a relationship, from the giddy early days to the uncomfortable last days. aeiou doesn't offer anything that Clumsy and Unlikely haven't already, it just offers more of it, so basically how much you enjoy this book will depend on whether you've read Brown's previous work and, if so, if you want to see more of it. However, I generally think that everyone should at least once experience Brown's relationship comics, which are distinctive in their approach, and a brutally honest look at the difficulties and joys of relationships far too complex and real for Hollywood or most entertainment in the romance genre to touch.
THE PASSION OF THE KEEF: THE FOURTH K CHRONICLES COMPENDIUM TPB
by Keith Knight (Manic D Press)
 I've covered all the general reasons that I love the K Chronicles in this review of the third volume, and rather than just go over the same territory again, I thought I'd just note what makes The Passion of The Keef different from, but just as good as the previous volumes. With the reign of Bush extending from four to eight years, Keith Knight, like many of us who are terrified of the Republican party, has found himself in a position where life scares him on a more daily basis. Fortunately, as with The Daily Show, Boondocks and a number of other politically-aware humor outlets, this daily terror and increased cynicism makes for really great comedy. Knight neatly skewers the war doctrine of the Bush administration, often while linking it to ironic commentary on the family values aspect of the Republican platform (the "U.S. War-gy" strip is particularly good for this). Knight's take on Cheney and Bush is also hilarious, giving them a mischievous, playful style without undercutting the more sinister undertones of their agenda, which means that he manages to be funny and to make a point at the same time.
Of course, Passion of The Keef isn't all about mocking the current administration or politics. His "Life's Little Victories" continue to be a joyful celebration of the little, stupid things in life that make the big disappointments worth living through, and the insights into Knight's personal life are always funny as well. This volume features the strips around the time he got married, and with that comes the usual jokes about settling down as well as some very funny material about his new German in-laws and the culture shock they faced when visiting America and the culture shock he faced when visiting Germany. Knight focuses in on the trivial aspects of life as well as what's most important, and always comes up with something to make you laugh and often make you think. The Passion of The Keef, like all the K Chronicles books, is well-observed, smart and funny.
SMALL FAVORS BOOKS ONE & TWO TPB
by Colleen Coover (Fantagraphics/Eros)
 I'm a guy, and like most guys, I am pro-porn, and definitely pro-lesbian porn. However, I'm not a guy who buys a lot of porn (comic book or otherwise), with the notable exception of the excellent True Porn anthology. Comic book porn generally isn't my thing, even though some big names, including Bill Willingham and Gilbert Hernandez, have worked on them. After reading Banana Sundays #1, however, I had to see some more work from Colleen Coover, and I've heard enough recommendations on Small Favors to at least check it out. End result, it is indeed lesbian porn (and my Google hits are skyrocketing right now), but it's some of the cutest, most fun porn you'll ever find. Coover doesn't skimp on the sex, and those coming in just to get off won't leave disappointed, but Small Favors is also an example of likable characters and great cartooning. The trade collections from Fantagraphics are pretty nice, featuring somewhere between three and four issues and a decent number of extras, including ads that are basically one-page stories, early sketches, pinups and even completely new stories. If you're not offended by lesbian sex, and if you're a fan of good cartoon art, Small Favors is definitely worth a look, even if your personal porn collection is already at its limits.
Email Randy Lander comments about these reviews. |
