"Hate" Creator: Peter Bagge. Publisher: Fantagraphics. Format: Comic Book. This is a continuation of "the Bradleys" series that appeared in the magazine format "Neat Stuff". It took Buddy Bradley, the sullen, alienated elder son from the ultimate dysfunctional family and sent him off to live in the 90s boho Seattle. His take on the Seattle scene is absolutely hilarious. One of his friends starts a rock band whose main song goes "I scream, you scream, we all scream for heroin!!!" (That pretty much sums up the career of Alice in Chains). The series is far and away the funniest comic series ever. Toward the end, the characters began to grow somewhat, and Buddy began to grope with understanding his family (even the really scary junior skinhead of a brother). A+

- posted by Steven @ 7:20 PM

 
Sorry it took so long to post the first review. My two little girls have been busy being sick and passing their germs to me. I tried to do a review of one of my personal favorites -- "Love and Rockets", but I was gushing on for too long and I never completed it -- I'll try again soon. Anyway here goes...

"Pop Gun War" Creator: Farel Dalrymple Publisher: Cryptic Press/Absence of Ink (book) Dark Horse (Graphic Novel) 2000-Present.

I found the graphic novel, which republishes the first five issues of the book, at the library. I saw raves on the back cover from Frank Miller and Craig Thompson, so I thought I'd give it a try. The story starts with a little boy who sees an angel, who convinces a construction worker to saw his wings off with a chain saw. He grabs the wings out of the garbage and straps them on and he is able to fly. Soon he sprouts wings on his own. His best friend is a homeless man who is tormented by an adolescent that no one else can see. The adolescent whispers negative thoughts to the homeless man and convinces others to do him evil. The little boy's sister is a prepubescent in a rock band. You following all this? I thought not.

There is no doubt that Farel Dalrymple is a talented artist, and that his work is startlingly original. On the back cover Judd Winick invokes David Lynch, and the comparison is apt. So why am I not in love with this comic? David Lynch typically takes a normal character that the audience can identify with, and places him in a everyday setting, which slowly and subtly mutates into a fever dream.
Here, the characters are all archetypes and Dalrymple's world is so tangled in dream logic that it is extremely difficult to care about any of the characters or to want to read what's happening to them. B
- posted by Steven @ 8:11 PM

 
I created this forum to share my love for alternative comix. I will get the ball rolling by reviewing some of my favorites ... and some I love to hate. At first the reviews will be topheavy with stuff from the 80's and 90's since that was a very fertile period for non-superhero comic books *ahem* graphic novels.

The ground rules. No superheros. No superhero parodies, unless they genuinely transcend their parodic origins. No Marvel or DCs or any of their offshoots (Yes, that means you, Vertigo). They get enough publicity as it is. Genre comics don't interest me much.

I am borrowing and adapting the letter grade system devised by Robert Christgau, my favorite rock critic.

An A+ comic series is a work of wonder, flawlessly written and beautifully drawn, a classic, must read from beginning to end. Anyone who keeps a comic like this in mint condition should be shot. If it were a CD it would be The Beatles Revolver

An A comic is a great comic, recommended to anyone who ever loved or appreciates comics as a story telling medium. Any minor flaws are far outshadowed by the wonderful art and writing within. The comic will richly reward repeated reading. If it were a CD it would be Nirvana Nevermind

An A- comic is an excellent comic, that is recommended to anyone who loves other works of its kind or other comics created by that artist. Any flaws in writing , artwork or storytelling will be minor and won't mar the reading experience. If it were a CD it would be Public Enemy "Apocalypse 91..The Enemy Stirkes Black"

A B+ comic is a very good comic, that has some significant flaws, or is somewhat derivative or uninspired, but nevertheless has sufficient merit to provide enjoyment or insight. If it were a CD it would be The Pretenders debut album.

A B comic is a good comic, that has significant flaws in writing, storytelling or art, but nevertheless is enjoyable, original or is a good read. If it were a CD it would be The Smiths "Meat is Murder"

A B- comic is a fairly good comic, with some flaws that significantly mar the reading experience. It nevertheless shows some degree of originality, wit or inspiration. If it were a CD it would be The Cure "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me"

A C+ comic is a mediocre comic, which may be a highly polished piece of hackwork, or a failed experiment of some interest or maybe a good creator on a really bad day. If it were a CD it would be Led Zeppelin "In Through the Out Door"

A C comic is an OK comic or a seriously flawed comic that I don't particularly dislike, but that I would never bother to buy it again. If it were a CD it would be Justin Timberlake "Justified"

A C- comic is a fair comic that has some redeeming social value, but is so seriously flawed or pedestrian that I would never read it again. If it were a CD it would be anything by Limp Biskit.

A D+ comic is a poor comic that has some faint hints of merit, but I can't be bothered to plod through it to find out what they are. if it were a CD it would be anything by Black Sabbath.

A D comic is a very poor comic that is not worth buying. If it were an album, it would be anything by Iron Maiden.

A D- comic is an extremely poor comic that is not worth reading. If it were an album it would be anything by Black Oak Arkansas (anyone remember them?)

An E+ is a horrendous comic that is not worth looking at. If it were a CD it would be anything by Yanni

An E comic is an abysmal comic that is utterly incompetent, morally reprehensible or both. If it were a CD it would be the album Charles Manson wanted to make.

An E- comic consists of antimatter and will make your head explode on contact.

I'll post my first review soon.
- posted by Steven @ 6:47 PM