davramlocke's reviews
777 reviews

This is a compilation of Nicole Georges' zines that she did well before writing Calling Dr. Laura. Had I attempted to read it before reading and loving that particular book, I probably wouldn't have made it ten pages in. It's scattered and reads more like a diary than a book, which makes sense because that's mostly what it is. This isn't a memoir or story, but rather a disjointed account of some times in Nicole's life. It's charming to read after reading Dr. Laura, even if the artwork is no where near what she pulls off in Dr. Laura and there even seem to be contradictions between the two works despite them both being autobiographical. Nevertheless, worth reading if you liked Calling Dr. Laura as much as I did and want to see how Georges started out and where her roots are at. Also, it has some decent recipes in it!

Starts out odd and confusing, and while that never really changes, it does eventually unfold into something fascinating and poetic, if ultra violent. Yet the violence is important to the narrative and not simply an excuse to indulge in bloodsport. Very worth reading if you can find the groove if the tale.

Some of the essays in here are really good, as well as informative and well drawn. Others feel incomplete and a few are simply illustrations, which might feel at home in a book of pure illustrations (though they aren't artistically good enough to hold up in that kind of collection). I enjoy comic art, but without accompanying words I don't think it's nearly as effective.

But, the good essays make up for the not so good ones. The one about the Dvorak keyboard is especially interesting.

I like some of Joe Matt's other stuff, particularly the famous brutal honesty that he brings, even at the cost of his own dignity. I thought Fair Weather kind of sad though. He's a complete shit for 90% of it and then we're supposed to forgive him in the last three pages because he decides not to be a shit to one person. Brutally honest maybe, but that doesn't make it enjoyable to read.

Not very well written, though there are some decent stories therein. Unfortunately the majority of the stories are non-sensical and seemingly pointless. Quite a few greedy liars seem to be rewarded by the divine powers that be. Lots of sex in here, though the majority of it seems to be closer to rape than to actual love making. The illustrations are kind of disturbing, though I think that's probably representative given the subject matter throughout most of it. And for being a book that's the supposed word of God, the big guy doesn't even show up that much past the opening sequence. That's like writing an autobiography and having most of the subject matter be relating the adventures of your cat.

I don't want to completely dismiss this book. For some, this might be something accessible and familiar enough to spur them into action. There are great resources in the pages of Refuse to Do Nothing. Even as someone who is becoming more and more invested in this particular cause I found things I'd never heard about, books, movies, organizations, etc. That's good information to spread around.

However, the book is difficult to read if you aren't a Christian, white mother. I do hope that doesn't come across too roughly. I respect that these authors are doing something, trying to do their part, but they have presented a fairly narrow vision of things (and maybe that's their intent). For any other Christian, white mothers who want to find a cause to throw themselves behind, this could be the perfect book. For the rest of us, it's a little tough to suss the useful information out.

Despite that, any book that seeks to combat modern day slavery is worth three stars at the least. This should be the issue of our time and yet one in ten people I meet even seem to be aware of it.

Though full of mysticism and pseudo-science, most of what is in this book is undeniable, and I feel like everyone owes the planet a read-through of this book. Incredibly well written, and important in ways that might take several re-reads to truly grasp. Can not recommend enough.

I enjoyed the previous two Before Watchmen installments, but Comedian #1 is absolute garbage. I have never said that about anything I've ever read or watched before. In no way did it convey the spirit of The Comedian from the Watchmen, and instead read like some political love letter to John F Kennedy with more than a little repressed homo-eroticism (which I'd be fine with were it intentional). The author of this branch of before Watchmen either needs to be replaced or needs to actually read the source material. Until then, I'll be avoiding any of his work.