Dolly Pardon

With the embarrassing, infuriating decision by a Tennessee county school board to ban the Pulitzer Prize-winning Maus books, yet another attack on the propriety of comics as well as implicit support for fascism, I feel the need to highlight both comics and someone from this state who does a lot of good for many people, country star Dolly Parton. I just read this great anthology about her, and I think that others would also enjoy reading about various aspects of her life.

This unauthorized biography touches on so many things, including her childhood, burgeoning music career, rise to international fame, personal life, movie roles, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and work for childhood literacy. It is a relatively quick read, but it is also simply amazing as it almost encompasses all that this woman has accomplished. I very much appreciated the straight-forward, informative, and entertaining way this book hops from topic to topic in portraying a biography. I think it would appeal to Dolly fans but also for those who have no clue about the scope and influence of her life.

This fine book was edited by Liz Yerby, with art by the Sound Grounds Wreckin' Crew, a Portland, OR based collective that includes BB Andersson, Caroline Cash, Eileen Chavez, Alecia Gatlin, Kathleen Gros, Avery Jepsen-Minyardthat , Elodie Kahler, Emily Lewis, Emily Nilsson, Samantha Szabo, Morgan Thomas, Amie Wilensky and Liz Yerby. It is amazing that so many people collaborated to make this book relatively cohesive and on point.

This comic is 52 pages long, but it contains multitudes. I have not been able to locate any reviews of it online, which is a shame because I think it deserves much more attention.

Dolly Pardon was published by Sound Grounds Wreckin’ Crew. I got my copy from Birdcage Bottom Books, and they a preview and more copies available here.

Too Tough To Die: An Aging Punx Anthology

I have read a few anthologies published by Birdcage Bottom Books (like this one), and they have always been interesting and/or provocative, introducing me to some new artists along the way. Too Tough To Die is a weighty tome featuring 47 different entries. Many focus on autobiographical tales of people's punk rock fandom. There are references to lots of bands and multiple reasons why these people were drawn to punk rock. For some, there was family situations that made the scene relatable; others just liked the crass humor; some found it an appropriate response to hypocrisy, and others found kinship in the motley assortment of punks. Many of the stories speak to punk more as an ethos than a fashion or musical movement and also speak to how it was not just some youthful phase but a blueprint for being a critical and informed adult.

Art by Hyena Hell

These stories are not all about sharing mix tapes, though there is plenty of that. They are not overly nostalgic, depicting scenes of violence, some substance abuse, and a number of other poor life choices. Many also address some of the more sinister aspects of the scene, such as the presence of white supremacists and skinheads. Many of the stories puncture any pomposity of the narrators, as contemporary young people have their own particular mindsets and wonder why these lame old folk keep trying to impress them, even if they might be into the same bands.

Art by Ayti Krali

In terms of representation, I really liked seeing the multiple ways that people found their ways into punk consciousness. There are tales from men, women, people of color, city dwellers, suburbanites, and kids from the country. There is also plenty of discussion about how punk intermingled/juxtaposed with other movements, such as hair metal, grunge, and alternative music.

Art by Gideon Kendall

There are too many stories for me to explain fully, but I loved the range of formats and styles. Some are short, almost like gag strips. Many are pretty raw, featuring rough lines and splotchy black and white images, mimicking the format of zines. One of my favorites, concluding the book, is series of images and biological accounts by Haleigh Buck in the style of show posters. Maybe it's because I am squarely in the age demographic of many of these artists/stories, but I found much I could empathize with and relate to. This anthology is phenomenal.

This collection was edited by Haleigh Buck and J.T. Yost. Yost has done all sorts of comics over the years, including a memorable tale about the Westboro Baptist Church in American Cult, and also founded and runs Birdcage Bottom Books. Buck is a frequent contributor to anthologies and has created a number of comics and mini-comics.

The reviews I could find of this book have been positive. Publishers Weekly summed up, "This is one awesome and introspective ode to rebellion." It currently has a 4.7 (out of 5) star rating on Goodreads.

Too Tough To Die was published by Birdcage Bottom Books, and they offer a preview and more here. This book features profanity, some sexual situations, and drug use, so reader discretion is suggested.

Fungirl

I have not read a book as enjoyable, funny, and profane as Fungirl in a long time. The title first came to my attention because of a kerfuffle about its mature readers label (an depictions of sex toys) for a book on Free Comic Book Day. I picked up that issue from my local comic shop, and it set me up well for the whole book. 

This book reads like a wonderfully deranged situational comedy, in the best kid of way. It stars the titular Fungirl (her actual name is not given), a young woman who I have seen described aptly as a "hot mess." She has no job, a long line of dysfunctional sexual relationships, and few prospects for the future. She lives with her roommate (an ex-girlfriend) Becky, a hard working relatively normal person, and they often deal with Peter, Becky's polite-to-a-fault boyfriend. Much of the humor of the book comes from watching these three bounce off each other, but there are also lots of strange, unique situations.

Early in the book, Fungirl finds a job as a mortician's assistant, a position where she creates all sorts of mayhem. She takes naps in coffins, sets multiple accidental fires, gets extreme in making up the corpses, and has some really strange interactions at a professional convention that features unusual rivalries between undertakers. In addition, there are lots of other embarrassing, uncomfortable, and hilarious situations she finds herself in, including visits to llama farms, drunken revelries, bus rides, shopping expeditions, and a memorable self help seminar.

Whenever there is a crossroads, Fungirl can be counted on to make a misinformed decision that ends in calamity and hilarity (for the reader). Still, she does try her best and occasionally there are moments of fleeting clarity and insight. These are few and far between, however, and most of the book is chock full of jokes and humor. I laughed out loud while reading this book quite a few times, and I could not stop reading it, even though I planned on taking my time. If you like compelling graphic novels and laughing at others' misfortune, this is the book for you.

Fungirl was written and drawn by the German artist Elizabeth Pich. She is best known as co-creator of the popular webcomic War and Peas.

All of the reviews I have read about this book have been positive. Calvin Reid called it "awkward, biting, shameless, wildly improper, aroused, maybe even dangerous." Publishers Weekly described it as "an outlandish romp past the boundaries of good taste and into dangerously revealing—and truly funny—psychic territory." There are more reviews at Goodreads where it has a 4.1 (out of 5) star rating as of this writing.

Fungirl was published by Silver Sprocket, and they offer a preview and more information here. As should be clear by now, this is not a book for kids.

Rebecca and Lucie in the Case of the Missing Neighbor

There is an avalanche of true crime and mystery narratives lately, but Rebecca and Lucie in the Case of the Missing Neighbor stands out for its offbeat set up and strong characters. Rebecca is a new mom, and she is wary of her maternity leave running out and not getting to spend so much time with her 8-month-old daughter Lucie. One night, after breast-feeding her daughter, she sees a couple of people loading something heavy into a white van and thinks nothing of it. Days later, a local homecare worker is reported missing and her alarm bells start going off. In small pockets of time, between caring for her daughter and shopping around for daycare options (a bittersweet occurrence), she begins her own investigation.

The local police and her social worker husband seem skeptical of her efforts, and the family of the older woman who received care from the missing person begin to cry harassment, but Rebecca persists in her quest. 

What follows is an interesting series of events, some trails pay off while others are dead ends. In all, this book is great because it tells a compelling mystery while also shedding insight into what it is like to be a parent/spouse/worker in these times. This book is deceptively simple, both in terms of its spare but colorful artwork and streamlined story, but it pays off as a unique and fun genre piece. I could easily see (and would look forward to) there being future adventures of these sleuths.

Rebecca and Lucie in the Case of the Missing Neighbor was created by Pascal Girard, a part-time social worker and cartoonist. He has published a number of other graphic novels, including Nicolas, Bigfoot, Reunion, and Petty Theft. Girard speaks about his craft in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been positive. Rachel Cooke appreciated how Rebecca is based on Girard's wife and "that this sweet, funny book is a tribute to her courage, her determination and, above all, her wit." Publishers Weekly wrote that it  "succeeds as both a mystery and a chronicle of day-to-day parenthood. Readers won’t be disappointed if this evolves into a series of offbeat mother-daughter mysteries." Brian Nicholson called it "a breezy romp, coming in at under a hundred pages, and featuring attractive, accessible cartooning."

Rebecca and Lucie in the Case of the Missing Neighbor was published by Drawn & Quarterly, and they offer a preview and much more here. This book was originally published in French and was translated by Aleshia Jensen.

I Never Promised You A Rose Garden

I Never Promised You A Rose Garden is a sprawling memoir/historical essay that almost defies categorization. It starts off as a personal history/appreciation of actor River Phoenix, particularly his work on the film My Own Private Idaho with director Gus Van Sant. Then it delves into Phoenix's and Van Sant's interactions with the local Portland, Oregon gay community and various street hustlers. The chapters that follow change direction and begin more of a focus on the history of Oregon, its roots in white supremacy, its popular culture, how police violence and social institutions help reinforce inequity, as well as a deep dive into one memorable episode of the talk show Geraldo.

The artwork is unique, each page a sheet of old-time elementary school composition paper with a black and white water color image and handwritten text (as you can see above). I think use of this primer-like format points toward an educational aspect of the book, but it does not come off as preachy or didactic. The illustrations are moody, atmospheric, and highly expressive.

The personal connections give the book heart but it is also very well-researched and compelling. It contextualizes so many contemporary social issues and is a clarion call for awareness and action. I appreciate how well it humanizes and makes concrete historical and social happenings in a way that explains how we have arrived at our current moment, when things seem far off center and veering toward totalitarianism. Once I started reading it, I found it difficult to put down.

Mannie Murphy first published this book as a series of zines. They are a graduate of The Center for Cartoon Studies, and this is their first graphic novel. They speak more about it in this interview.

All of the reviews I have read of this book have been glowing. Ryan Carey wrote that there is "a strong case for this being the most affecting, inspired, and important comics release of 2021 to date." Publishers Weekly called it a "piercing debut" and concluded, "Murphy’s elegaic treatment grants a sobering reflection on the depth and deadliness of American intolerance." Oliver Sava opined, "A key aspect of that is making sure people know their history so they don’t keep making the same mistakes, and I Never Promised You A Rose Garden makes that past feel real with its accessible, emotionally driven storytelling."

I Never Promised You A Rose Garden was published by Fantagraphics, and they offer a preview and more information about it here.

My 2021 Favorites!

I read a lot of graphic novels every year, and I review most of them on this blog. Check out the ones I liked best published in 2021.

Overall Favorite 

 Cyclopedia Exotica

This book is a highly detailed and moving piece of world-building that imagines that cyclops are real and have to deal with many civil/human rights issues in being accepted into society. It's funny, moving, thoughtful, and provocative. Everything I want from a graphic novel!

 

Schweizer-Hale Award for Nonfiction 

American Cult 

I learned so much about this uniquely American phenomenon from this anthology of stories. It's full of hucksters, pseudo-religion, true believers, tragedy, and existentialism. These stories lingered with me for a long time.

 

 

Favorite Adapted Webcomic

Lore Olympus

This gorgeously illustrated book retells the story of Persephone and Hades with a contemporary sensibility. Its characterizations and plotting are exceptional. It's one of my all-time favorite comics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Adapted Digital Comic

Friday

A book by a couple of my favorite comics creators about a grown-up version of an Encyclopedia Brown/John Bellairs novel? That's pretty much a book made for me. It's a great mystery set in an appropriately creepy and idiosyncratic town with strong characters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Favorite Book About Teaching

Are Comic Books Real?

I also read many books about teaching/education, and this one made me feel what it was like to be a public school teacher. It's frustrating, hopeful, keenly observant, and drawn in disparate styles. If you want to know what teaching is like, read this book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Favorite Sequel

Delicates

I was skeptical that a book could live up to the quirky and moving Sheets, but this one may actually pass it in terms of strong character work and realistic adolescent situations. It's a great melding of YA and ghost stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Reissued Book

The Way of the Hive 

Originally published as Clan Apis, this account of the life cycle of a bee is incredibly informative and surprisingly moving. Pretty much a perfect graphic novel, but now in color!

Favorite YA Book

The Fifth Quarter

This book is mostly about youth basketball and one girl's striving to be the best player she can be, which complicates her friendships. It is also a window into a contemporary family and her mother's political aspirations. I loved so much about this book and its characters, and I am eager for the sequel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Book Featuring A Psychopathic Pair of Underwear

Crash Site

This graphic novel combines manga with European comics conventions, telling an incredible and harrowing survival tale about a couple of drug smugglers (a woman and her dog), a horrific plane crash, and the underpants that wants to kill them both. This book book bends genre conventions and is not for kids.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's it! That's my list. Happy New Year, everyone!