The Eternal Smile review
In The Eternal Smile, Gene Yang and Derek Kirk Kim make an excellent team, expertly combining writing and artwork to put together three short stories that say a lot. I was really taken with Kim’s talent. I had read Yang before so I knew what to expect but the diversity of Kim’s drawings really impressed me.
The first story is by far the weakest. A young hero sets out on a quest to bring the Frog King’s head back to his love, the princess. Should he succeed he wins her hand and the kingdom. Though everything is not as it seems and in the end he must make a choice. The script is entertaining if predictable.
The last two stories are where these artists really show what they can do. In the title story, a greedy frog builds a church to an eternal smile in the sky. Layered in a funny, dime-store comic style is commentary on exploitation, religion, entertainment and power. The use of color in this story is especially impressive. I won’t spoil the ending but I will say that how Kim paints the final pages make for a beautiful ending – the type that’s leaves you with a smile.
As much as I enjoyed “The Eternal Smile”, the final story is the book’s best. In this story Yang and Kim show what a great team they make. Kim perfectly illustrates Yang’s brow-beaten secretary. Kim boxes her in her panels like she’s boxed in her cubicle. She is cherubic and small but an email from a Nigerian prince asking for money makes her bigger. She answers the email and complies with the requests. Just that simple concept alone makes me love this story.
Through each story could easily turn dark, Yang and Kim don’t let that happen. After a week of indie comics and a vampire book, I was happy to see an eternal smile.
Three Reviews
Reviewing is ultimately subjective. I can try and be objective but that would mean leaving out the emotional reaction I had to a work and well, isn’t that the whole point of reading? On the other hand, my tastes shouldn’t dictate trashing what is probably a quality story or artwork so I try my hardest to see what might be worthwhile there. Usually the two match up pretty nicely. Other times….
Eden: It’s an Endless World vol. 1
Objective review: In a creepy post-apocalyptic world, a dying scientist lives his final days helping two immune children grow up. The first half of the book is flashback, giving the reader a taste of the horror that came before the mysterious virus made everything go quiet. As with most manga, the first volume is mainly exposition and not a lot of action. The plot picks up once the story jumps 20 years into the future, as young Elijah and his robot struggle to survive and discover the secret of the controlling Propapeter.
Subjective review: In a story spanning several generations, a virus has taken out most of the population. Two immune children struggle to survive with their ailing mentor and robot. When a shadow government attempts to take them, the boy must fight and kill his previously-thought-dead-but-no-he’s-alive-and-the-enemy father. No, it’s not Star Wars. So much time is spent on flashbacks but little explanation is offered. The virus has creepy symptoms like the skin hardening and cracking which makes for some great visuals. The story could easily have skipped the backstory and just started with Elijah and his robot. I’ll stick with it to see if it improves but the cliches, predictable plot and silly looking mecha bore me.
Swallow me Whole
Objective review: In a beautifully illustrated, surrealistic style, Ruth struggles with schizophrenia at the height of adolescence. The pressure of her illness, school and family life collide with her joy at a budding romance and a great new job.
Subjective review: Yes, it’s got the prerequisite Alison Bechdel type artwork of slouching characters and smooth, wavy lines. Yes, it’s angsty. Yet, it’s missing a heart. I was excited to read this book because the previews made me think it was about a teen living with a mental illness but instead the focus seems to be on what weird thing can happen next. Which is a pet peeve of mine when it comes to mental illness books. The frog and the raining bugs certainly twist the page up but if they aren’t really giving me anything besides an “episode” then I lose interest. I wish more time had been spent showing Ruth’s interactions with those around her (her relationship with an understanding but frustrated teacher had the potential to be especially heartbreaking), and less time on trying to wow me with weirdness.
I Shall Never Return vol. 1
Objective: I can see why this is considered a modern classic. It has two flawed yet likable characters and leans hard on the drama. Though the artwork is not as polished as I like, it doesn’t stand in the way of the story. Risturo and Ken have always been best friends. Risturo helps Ken through his parents painful divorce and stands by him even after Ken takes up prostitution. There is an undeniable bond between the two and early in the first volume they give in. The drama doesn’t come from the will-they/won’t-they tension but rather can this relationship survive.
Subjective: I did like this yaoi a lot. However, I was somewhat annoyed at the dominating Ken causing heartache for Ritshuro and Ritshuro being even more taken with him each time. I realize this is where conflict comes from and that it gives room for the characters to grow but like Hot Gimmick, I’m not sure if I really want to watch it.
Eternal Smile preview
Yay! Gene Yang and Derek Kirk Kim’s The Eternal Smile is almost here! Here’s a preview from Publisher’s Weekly:
It’s kind of awkward viewing but worth it. The more I hear about or see of this title the more excited I am to read it.
Skim – review
This is, by far, one of my favorite books of the past year. I would go so far as saying it was my favorite book but that would mean I would have to give up on the guilty pleasure Picnic and I’m not willing to do that just yet. Kimberly Cameron, a.k.a. Skim, attends an all girl-school in Toronto. She’s an outsider, wrapped in her shell but with the guts to wear black nail polish and a scowl. Most of her life experience comes from hanging out with her best friend. She’s a typical teenager, full of angst and anger. Then, finally, some excitement hits the school when the popular girl’s boyfriend commits suicide. As the girls analyze the hows and whys, Skim enters into a relationship with her English teacher, Ms. Archer.
It would just be another overdramatic Lolita story if it weren’t handled so sensitively, not just in the dialogue but the artwork. The plump Skim is pulled along by the ever present wind. It tugs at her jacket, her hair, forcing her to move along even when she wants to stay in one moment.
If you want to know more, check out this interview with writer Mariko Tamaki.
Last Minute Gifts
“Not just for nerds!”, proclaims a Publisher’s Weekly article on giving graphic novels to the readers on your Christmas list. They have a pretty good list and here’s (in my opinion) the highlights.
Black Jack by Osamu Tezuka – have I talked about this mange enough yet? No? Ok, let me reiterate. This story about a talented yet mad doctor is both heartwarming AND gory. A perfect gift!
Ghost World, Special Edition by Daniel Clowes - ok, I admit I saw the movie before reading the book. I liked the movie, loved the book. I don’t usually compare the two but this deluxe edition includes the movie screenplay so obsessives can sit and pick apart the differences. It also includes a “where are they now” comic! Awesome!
Hellboy 2: The Chained Coffin, the Right Hand of Doom, and Others by Mike Mignola - they claim this list isn’t just for nerds but include a “velvet-bound, over-sized book that showcases [Mignola's] his stunning art to it’s fullest”. I don’t know about you but the only person who gets excited over my absolute or deluxe editions is a total (cute) nerd. So if you know one, trust me, big giant comics that feel really heavy are the perfect gift!
Local by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly – I became a fan of Brian Wood after his collection of short stories, Demo. Local is just as good, if not better. Plus, it includes a chapter set in Norman! Nothing like seeing your local haunts depicted in a story about loss and depression is there?
Kramer’s Ergot #7 edited by Sammy Harkham – I haven’t read it but I can’t go a single day without hearing about it.
Gifts they recommend that I would pass on:
DC Vault and Marvel Chronicles – two histories of the giants, complete with memorabilia and an insane price tag.
Will Eisner’s The Spirit: A Pop-Up Graphic Novel by Will Eisner – yay! Sexism! Racism! In 3D! Include a pair of tickets to the awful looking movie to really make someone uncomfortable this Christmas. *Disclaimer* I know Eisner is a genius but really, the Spirit needs some updating and Darwyn Cook’s version doesn’t really manage it.
