from COMICBOOKGALAXY.COM This is the fifteenth collection in Matt B's series of newspaper strip style autobio comic "m@b". I first discovered this treasure of a comic while browsing the minis at Toronto's The Beguiling comic shop. At the time, I was a big fan of "Jim's Journal", and the storytelling style of the strips was similar (no punchline), and the drawing a lot more accomplished, so I picked up a bunch. Thus began my journey into the fascinating yet mundane life of Matt B, and all the people that populate it in the city of Toronto. "What Are We Waiting For?" is in many ways an issue of transition for Matt, as first his elderly neighbor Manuel suffers some malady that lands him in the hospital, his pal Nick is going over to Europe to travel, and Matt must decide whether to leave his basement apartment (with the the neighbors upstairs who like to screw loudly) for a fourteenth floor one with an amazing view of the city that another friend is vacating. Like previous issues, Blackett's strips ring with authenticity. The nonexistence of punchlines may be jarring at first, but this is an autobio strip, and in real life moments don't always end with a laugh. There's a strong sense of conveying a simple message about the everyday life of one guy in the big city, and Blackett does so amazingly well. Whether he's encountering some of the bizarre denizens of Toronto, or interacting with those closest to him, Blackett is both an astute observer of those little things that we all take for granted as our lives unfold, be it the act of re arranging one's room or just talking with friends. He is, in many ways, taking stock of his life in these collections. Trying to make sense of just what it is he's here to do, like any one of us. Artwise, there's a crisp linework at play, a strong use of black and white and just enough details that you get a feel for where the strip is taking place. Blackett's ever present lava lamp in his apartment, the diners he eats at. All captured with an efficient drawing sense that is lacking in too many of today's newspaper strips. In fact, m@b should BE in newspapers everywhere, it's so well done. Blackett possesses skills that many of today's top newspaper cartoonists are sorely lacking in, and I wouldn't be surprised to see his wonderful strip gracing papers in a few years.He's really that damn good. "m@b: What Are we Waiting For?" will captivate
you, if you haven't already been drawn in by Blackett's work already. Check
out his website and get yourself his books now. You certainly won't be disappointed. - - - - - - - - - - back to news :: home |
© 2001 Matthew Blackett