Please Release by Nate Powell 2 out of 5 stars - $5.00
Please Release is an autobiographical independent comic from Top Shelf Press. It has four little stories that chronicle the authors life at various stages. I could go through the details but believe me it’s fairly self-indulgent and no so thoughtful. The Grumpy Man’s first impression was, here’s a guy trying to find both his voice as an author and his own artistic style. Maybe I should give the guy a break and tell the people about a new guy. A quick google search later changed my mind. It seems as though Nate has been working on comics since 1992 or earlier. I guess the guy likes his books to look like he’s just starting out. Bottom line: This is an emo book. If you like emo books or you like Nate Powell then you’ve already bought it. If not save your five spot.
A.L.I.E.E.E.N. by Lewis Trondheim 4 out of 5 stars - $12.95
A.L.I.E.E.E.N. is one of the rare independent books that the Grumpy Man gives the nod to. This is because 90% of independent books suck as a rule. It’s just the way of the world. I wish it were not the case. I wish the Grumpy Man’s book shelf was not cluttered with the trash. Luckily your friend, the Grumpy Man, is here with tasty tidbits for your reading pleasure. Case in point: A.L.I.E.E.E.N. This book is the story of a “found” alien comic book where nothing is remotely of this world. The characters, places, situations and dialog are all alien. All of the stories are told simply through the visual medium. It is a bold project and Lewis Trondheim pulls it of with grace. The only things that bugged the Grumpy Man was the cartoonish feel of the book and the dark images that came with it. A.L.I.E.E.E.N. tries to play out as a children's book but has some themes that are a little to mature for younger readers. Still its a marvelous book and a good buy.
Lone Racer by Nicolas Mahler 3 out of 5 stars - $12.95
Once again the Grumpy Man must make an exception to his 90% of independent books are crap rule. Perhaps the Grumpy Man will modify the rule to 85% are crap, 10% are o.k. and 5% worth your hard earned cash. Don’t bother to check the math the Grumpy Man is always right until he corrects himself. As it turns out Lone Racer falls into that “o.k.” category. Nicolas Mahler actually has a compelling story about a burnt out race car driver and his drinking buddies. As the story begins the racer is still on the circuit but he has lost his edge and is just barely holding on to his sponsor. His wife is bedridden in the hospital and he is spending his free time drinking his problems away. As the story unfolds we meet his drinking buddies a cop and a gear head. The three wax philosophic as drunks are want to do. What follows are misadventures that are neither outrageous or improbable as books like this are want to do. The down side is that this book is done in an eclectic an minimalist style that some people really get off on. Most people, including the Grumpy Man, think to themselves, “It looks like it was drawn by a fourth grader.” Bottom line: Pick it up, flip through the pages. If it seems like your thing grab it.
American Elf Book 2 by James Kochalka - 2 out of 5 stars - $19.95
The Grumpy man can see the attraction to American Elf. It reminds the Grumpy Man of his youth spent reading Matt Groening’s “Life in Hell”. You remember the weekly strip with a neurotic bunny and two gay guys with little fez hats. They talked about life, love, relationships, sex and alienation. It is witty and thoughtful. Well, the Grumpy Man doesn’t think Kochalka was trying for anything like that. American Elf is a collection of daily web comics. Every day Kochalka takes one thing that happened to him or his family and makes a little comic. American Elf fans claim that the individual comics aren’t all that interesting but taken as a whole they paint a picture of a life. The Grumpy Man gets it. It just doesn't grab the Grumpy Man. Perhaps the Grumpy Man needs to have kids? Bottom line: This is the second in a series of collections if your an American Elf fan you have already got it. If not I suggest you read allot of the strip on line at http://www.americanelf.com/ before you plunk down some bucks for this book.
Super F*ckers Issue 279 by James Kochalka - 1 out of 5 stars - $5.00
The Grumpy Man tried to find something redeeming about Super F*ckers. Really. It’s nonsensical, rude, offensive and not in that cool or ironic way that the Grumpy Man likes. As far as the Grumpy Man can tell Super F*ckers is about a gay retarded super hero, his roommates, his lovers and a blob thing. As is turns out the super hero, who is neither gay nor retarded, has saved the world again. Evidently everyone is mad about this so a closeted gay guy in a pink tutu pisses on every one. Great stuff! Also this isn’t Issue 279 it’s number 4. Don’t waste your time or money.
Page Two - Stuff The Grumpy Man Likes
