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Autobiographical Comic Books

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 – running time 28:34
This week on iFanboy it's all about me, me, me! Look at me!

One of the thriving subsets of the indie comics scene is the autobiography. It's hard to look at any of the end of the year "Best of..." lists without being at least a few autobiographical comic books on them - and that's not just in the comics media, but in the mainstream media as well. Autobiographical comic books are everywhere!

What are some of the best autobiographical comic books that the iFanboys have read lately?

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel tells the tale of growing up in a funeral home. There's a lot of awkwardness and a lot of pain, and a whole lot of accolades for this graphical novel.

Skyscrapers of the Mid-West by Joshua A. Cotter is the most unique of the entire group. A series of vignettes featuring anthropomorphised characters that focuses on growing up a lonely artistic kid in the Mid-West.

The Alcoholic by Jonathan Ames and Dean Haspiel chronicles a life plagued by too much alochol, too many drugs, and a whole lot of bad choices.

Sentences: The Life of M.F. Grimm by Percy Carey and Ronald Wimberly tells the story of a guy on the cusp of hip hop stardom before drugs, guns, and gangs bring it all crashing down. This one also features a surprising and tenuous connection to Conor.

Funny Misshapen Body is the latest from autobiographical comic book veteran Jeffrey Brown. This one focuses on Brown's artistic side as he finds his artistic voice in high school and art school.

Freddie & Me by Mike Dawson follows one man's life from England to America as seen through the lense of unabashed love for Freddie Mercury and Queen.

Chris Staros' Yearbook Stories: 1976-1978 by Chris Staros and Bo Hampton and Rich Tammaso tells two stories from the high school days of Top Shelf Publishing head Chris Staros. The second one must be seen to be believed.

Highlights
best seller ( 2:33, 2:33 ) publishes books ( 2:54, 2:54 ) high school ( 18:19, 20:13, 25:02, 25:17, 18:19, 20:13, 25:02, 25:17 ) george michael ( 22:28, 22:35, 22:28, 22:35 ) best seller ( 2:33, 2:33 ) publishes books ( 2:54, 2:54 ) high school ( 18:19, 20:13, 25:02, 25:17, 18:19, 20:13, 25:02, 25:17 ) george michael ( 22:28, 22:35, 22:28, 22:35 )

Automatically Generated Transcript(may not be 100% accurate) ( more )

" And it fourth grade witnesses Cornish and I really this is -- She's got a little study they but I'm we've built these yet -- letting us look at my desk and this paper we draw all over the number of this amid a little sign and you pull the string you go fancy nerd alert because there was. --"

" And I did any of us how we act and I remember that."

" This -- and -- fan boys brought you by godaddy.com. And netflix.com."

" They will be another excellent family public discussion show monies Ron Richards and I'm here with. I'm not planning -- byproduct -- Patrick and the great thing about comics is they're all types of retired from me to pick or the most popular types that the committees in the side of comics. In the autobiographies telling year old story on. -- the sort of like when people think Indy comics that I personally think and a lot of times I think it's a negative territory yeah and it is -- that we'll just it's just a sad pathetic cartoonists and myself talking about a satellite went opera this. Yeah me. The -- about it now let me why -- He's okay epithet that's who believe that he got bill that these anyway let -- and a lot of times it's it's kind of a lot of wallowing in the vicinity of the what. Website -- we talk about are about to go it's world wind the Indian art."

" It's Vietnam it's -- and she's got to get stories did you think of of novels and you think of autobiography about an hour. -- novelists don't have a caucus and what they have -- there are well authors Carol back all those books were all autobiography right on the road electric esophagus she changed the names and -- made some people -- little better than what her her -- it but that's that's first or don't know an end it in the sense one of the very. Best kinds of stories that -- our writer artist especially can tell. Arm is is a story about the life because they remembered at a certain way they can picture and occasionally you have collaborations we're gonna talk about some here. -- it's this want to listen to comics do really well I don't know is that personal nature of being able to do it. Armed with some of my favorite comics it's actually in the constant -- had been are back stories -- there with him so we we thought we would we would take some of this there's a lot."

" The so many are not going to tall now upon -- and we really like some we have the real expert."

" Yes. Probably the biggest. -- backdrop of comic to come out in in in recent memory last couple years it's fun home by Alison backed out. This is. It's a national best seller I mean it's times best book of the year that some -- may listen look at the back and it recommends before -- and -- USA today to salon and in like it it it really kind of went outside of our typical -- you discount the world in tonight the mainstream -- breakout letters -- and in the right and these publishes books by real book publishers look at -- but in that it was -- a real break out its its dubbed -- Stanley tragic -- Yeah -- I I've heard I've said this the first time read it -- actually -- repeated of the places it's very good but it's not necessarily enjoyable. Positive breast it's an extremely stark look at at her life growing up in the stuff that happened likely. On funeral home. -- Yeah it's it's really good it's it's a lot talking and sort of showing a picture of what that looked like at that point is as posted. -- sequential storytelling it's not quite that in this instance I think a lot of -- are like yes. A lot written about it but we would be sort of remiss to not talk about it it's it's an incredibly skillful comic book. I I'm very glad to read."

" I'd my opponent hardcover in Lincoln and deserves all the please -- deaths mainly did yes and I can't imagine what do in this -- was life and it's going to be harrowing so look at your family into. Really kind of you know when your parents and and the way you brought up and and and really look at the magnifying glasses to figure out how you got to be where you were because of these things and so I'm you -- answers to you know -- as much investigation detective --"

" And you -- never know as you're writing not you minutes a year anyone is writing this stuff down. You're actually discovering and you sing it live and it turned that's life then what felt that way. And so because that's so personal it's it's easy to relate to yeah. That's salaam in and you know find something in those people you know this sort of two waging looking at a bio and on about look if you look at -- that's nothing like me and it's fascinating you you just like right there. This is really good story yes give -- scuba register lives. All know that's a pretty straight up and not only not only does it continues the motif of books with maps and lots of accidents and as a -- it's -- good -- on. A sort of completely different way to go -- it's a little more of an abstract. Our auto -- so much that I was like us on a bottle this is and it's about it's pressures in the midwest fight Josh Carter com. It's it's not specifically auto -- but it's based upon growing up in in in the midwest. In a very -- your religious and small town look what you when you think of middle America what it."

" Mean real life influence yes I guess partially because the area and from. For more fires that characterize these and names you know whatever they are narrow minds he added that it's it's hard to you know assigned human qualities -- those -- Us exactly that -- is this. A lot of -- I think with a commitment. This is hard covers is beautiful that this book tore up they'd be seen over the past few years like this that the issue the issue that came out or like. Now that almost possible fine in -- people waiting -- asleep next chapter than when it's hard cover enough people obviously flock to him. Won awards all of the excitement yes he's here he's great Eisner and that's nominated. When asked to become."

" Born so what has been exceptional James signed rookie out of such a premise of this. Now it's not it's not a straight ahead narrative it's like. A space of time. In between. -- boy in his in his younger brother in the room with their parents and it's almost like the difficulty that he has fitting in there and it's symbolized by a lot of the fantasy life that goes on its own head and it's. Almost one of those things it does not beginning middle and into the story it's -- yet to things that happen. And they're things that tie into each other and you remember things yes and and robots and they're very. Star and realistic then you'll be reading it you'll go oh my gosh that's painful yeah. To look at you know waited like if you were ever ever felt alienated kid an eight year old did not Howard thirteen year old did not communicate. That's what this is and it's a very. There's nothing like it nothing to compare this book to at all."

" This on. Yes it's lady with the with some cringe worthy of remembrances of childhood it's from Mike that men and -- of the fact that the fact that the day after our people and and that the you have been on an as yet to sign a lot like robots yet they think that. -- a little bit out of the the the real world but it but it because the mindset of the imagination of all -- and it is -- cartoonist yet make our sense that. It's it's again it's not an easy read I think it's actually pretty. It's fairly comfortable at times the art is is rarely on Tony. It is what it there's a lot of cross -- specific tiny little marks and things like that aiding and -- left on the lots of panels lots of repetition and things like that. It takes you out of the story a lot of little -- as of yet the whole you know if this'll kind of world that he crates around it but that's just kind of I think -- the core of it though is it is it is a restore of a real people there. Sinners and in typical child."

" Usually these books of the domain of smaller developers but sometimes he gets the from the big publishers and X two from vertigo from DC comics. The alcoholic which. It's more specific. This is specific exploration for a writer."

" Jonathan -- writer of this is as a novelist and leave and it is it was illustrated by -- feel loved loved his work and he has the -- this is a scary unflinching look. At the life of a guy who like it's called the alcoholics is a look back -- it had all sorts of opportunities also to things not not. All squandered. But a lot of the regret that go along with having not made. Maybe the best choices that."

" It's it's it's a look at that it. Varied. Rough life and uninteresting ones on the -- battling but you know he's got it well it opens up with him you know waking up on it. We've kept this well mine where a lot of old lady I decided to have sex with in this car yet -- managers don't have any money -- like. There have been an editor like business life you know -- tennis a lot of -- a lot of guts takes -- tell stories like this mean."

" That's very true because I read this stuff what's happening I don't know. If I can put that out of like almost going to read this. This much is that it is very bright honest look at led from the team although it is ultimately Anderson it -- being a bit after game. Sex mister slick. -- a lot lot of the relationships that are that are both joint Rwandan and absences. You know what's fascinating about this is because it's such a personal story and asked to do with so many things that happened to him. You know and it's not drawn by. Com and but -- collaborations that population that is the because these are both written and drawn right but the crater on in this one half Steele takes over. And and does it what I can only assume this aren't -- people actually look like but I I like act now because it's. Is that chemistry create something new something a little different. Com. And it also like force it sometimes and you have a single right artists that person can sort of meander you know you've got a person you're doing -- they can you can make you make a better product and somebody to bounce -- them and they the end and they is that is that collaboration where you know much -- broad dimension to it -- and expected I read this in one -- I you know it's it's a great. So -- a -- from -- and Ellison about it. It's really is that the you know. Yeah. This is one of those comics. That's all I don't know what's skyscrapers but. Pretty much all of us who talked about actually there are the books he can give to people. Whose every comic books a lot of times it's like is here's a story better person read this and and Tommy my preconceptions comments afterwards I salute on the and that I like -- it another one."

" Sentences was and my book of the month few months back and this is much different topics subject and the rest of his books this is what this is about. A guy who was growing up -- wanted to be an -- this is an eighty's with the -- was only just started to become. Unpopular and it insists the smaller areas wasn't -- the notes -- a huge. They would have didn't see it got involved in drugs and got in the shot and crippled him. And it's his life and it is a whole book about choices and how your choices wolf what your life amendment -- change change of course election and yet has yet as treatment if pat is currently very good at what it be his and scene and then he gets shot and it derails this whole it's he's he's got his dreams of as and then -- And as a about the choices and it."

" One of things I really like about this is that I have. And so I can listen to some hip -- throughout -- excellent stuff and to see. The people that he was involved with all online he was there at the very beginning he was there in the middle. And elect. It's solid financial crisis is still there. Now like like -- going to show with -- Russell like an early ninety's and then how would anxious and like I don't think of them like that then. You know but all deceptive and after all that the governor establishment yeah. We're not the -- time in these things like for the first out was that we are rising."

" You know this -- Mike how intertwined that's -- was with the sort of crime like that was going on scene tonight. He you know. He sold drugs he that's how he made money we did -- this into the finances rap career. Not the same time you know he's -- KRS-one it would MF doom who's very famous now and and that's what they're there's no."

" And the loses is like going to sound like night and -- almost looks like maintain. What have you. X minerals and activities these days over Christmas yet how it how it. And the house has all this matter of factly connected and and you just don't think about that as being the way it works but it is."

" People -- got a lot of it off the city and -- it and hip -- then but it is beginning at least for sure everyone knows it and I'm like that's what's funny is that starts off the talks are strong his mother is and that it but it doesn't look like he's in ship. -- know he's he's a problem she's got temporary hits and bytes but also some of the Soviet. So the problem not let him be Batman -- now if he's defending a girl was almost to get written on -- beat Richard from right. And also the -- night for me was just an example noted in the US and Syria and he says you know it's not under attack Barbara -- gets you excited you going to be fine specimens and he -- that he sided deal get a record contract reduced social drugs. If he still had no money right. And that he got busted and got shot and one of the sort."

" Where things tonight is like his take on what that is very different than mine because of cultural symbol of what is and what is acceptable and this is very different and to -- that was fascinating thing about reading this because the the place and he's coming from is completely different place and I am an arm and hopefully he's written. In his in his voice was very strong or powerful and it which is you know. If anybody was trying to fake that it sound ridiculous like. Let's see some of tennis is worse attempts at writing the cage for example that this is actual this is real it's at a."

" Also he owns up to like here's a right hook -- up like it's not like oh well Cormier agonize I got. Is all it takes all the solicit business what happened to be a -- has -- because. I'd made these things happen prime -- because what I did right that's added he's here today if there it is the story also. We've got to grow about three blocks them. While you global the neighborhood same neighborhood."

" Which is suggesting you double. Did well I was I -- so I'm telling you I don't know how -- I don't you -- know that this country's -- 180 degrees from viewers and you -- three. I was geographically greatness that was well three blocks from where the event in the beginning you thought it'd connectors such -- street to street was so it's officer from -- my apartment of monogram. But yet it was really first you're pretty of the oh -- gonna put us up like this and is now than you know that is totally edgy and totally herself and a lot of notice that tunnel -- to let it of the year main street. Yeah this is really very didn't -- do more stuff like this and alcohol. Will come back a couple more that's."

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" A couple more books -- to talk about a private little war. I would think typical about what you think about auto while comics. The first one I have here is that Jeffrey Brown's body shape and --"

" We -- we didn't -- much -- it's jot just guys who I don't know what it is. At the pump we talk to him and his book of the --"

" Did you on -- clumsy aren't so happy that we dug through -- up comics -- actually out from. Touchstone which is is seal cited uses the real but it's real I hate saying but it's one of the major book publishers there -- Those books. That we talked about four very much Jeffrey brown fan is one of those things where if you would have flipped through it I think a lot of comics and movies -- this is I'm not -- small right. Is an injury and also but the thing is it's he's not doing that because he doesn't have skills he's doing it don't -- that requires -- you actually get people."

" Don't draw. Don't realize that it's not easy to actually use a drawn out younger and not nearly as good as anybody on the table book that's."

" Difficult sherbet to -- earlier books very much are. Why what you make of I don't know -- she talked word she does not cancer now on this sad. Now and I think that's bad but it is what you think of -- is this book is a different favorites is this step up for or not step up just a different. Take on how he does it end and it's it's much more -- a step up is better if he is better -- arts better his stories on the matter he he showed he's making does have a choice is not to do it completely nearly you know that's not a word. On he he is telling about his life through. So -- career basically it's due to the high school. "

" Our process person someone who likes art song who likes to prosper I -- confident a lot of it's about it's part art school. And fighting his artistic voice be noted one of the big arts in the book is getting to the when he's a painter he doesn't alternative art. And it art school gets support doing these comments have -- but this is the size of the pages -- story here what she doesn't start training like this. And he she -- it was showing your art school -- occasional. All the press -- and doing too small -- bigger but I'm not like they're smaller and I don't know at a pitching depth thing is perfect let us -- of course. Its -- rather fascinating because we've met and interviewed him. From his books he's very. In word but not outgoing and very. Then. He's not -- not oppose it at from the book he's very shy and very not -- not a very much full self esteem. Which almost strictly up to the idea of putting these books out yet you have got some sort of confidence in your life. And -- just about yourself out -- let's."

" Only in the US and make it standout. You have to show -- low of honesty it is very difficult and that is where."

" That's the bravery and doing."

" And I slept I think it's totally insecure person to secure enough in his own self to put this story is personal story to -- defective so that dichotomy of Sosa."

" Since it's in the bottom of the order of things that he said before though is that. You know I'm not exactly that for you nice job showing his side of my songs for the rush it and so what people think that he's going to be incredibly meet him in frighten you putt you augment the existing sorry so sorry exactly exactly. And it's a -- of it what you remember it's a automatically in this book is strongly. -- of the noted yet that's exactly but in the end it's it's like how he's got as far as books published in one of what it was like manner for him what his experience was you know his drawing in high school and in college grad school. -- It was a I was really sort of come -- Nixon -- he's done a lot of books he's he's doing work constantly for years now and he's getting he's getting better he's he's. You know it. Again first glance doesn't look like this guy's gonna be."

" One of the masters of the genre it's that it and it shows that with you know with the dedication and with the refining Napoli cinnamon and putting -- material it's it's funny that hope that makes the story didn't want to tell us --"

" Any parents and if it remorse but can draw so struck out there so if it. But so another book that's a similar same vein is -- Mike Dawson called Freddie mean which also. Susan yes -- these a lot of but obviously if we're to have him get away from whatever the separate -- aggressive on the hood and this is it's a single graphic novel it was -- my blueberry yeah. And -- what is is that this it's like dozens of writer artist telling his kind of coming of age story. Camera moves from England England New Jersey in the eighties and -- of the nineties he's like tan yeah. So and it tells his his growing up all in the shadow of his admiration and love for -- queen. Now. They're people who are fans of music. Arm but occasionally people really gone on to. One thing in the America they connect with something very passionate about it and and then become almost like -- like that it's a fanatic and might actually you know immediately add and edit it ha ha. Well -- what is -- that I imagine that you read you I -- very much all gasoline that that's on the one of his second -- is -- about this is that it was this the zealotry. It's Parcells the you know he feels that you're the only person you know the answer to life and it's the songs that you love whether it's clean or any other man yeah. It had a this but so and other -- you know if it's Freddie Mercury or Axl Rose and -- or whoever else there -- rose -- this speaker gave him a threat but actually. But. But but you you know the the the world's -- line in the song and so is your mission to tell -- about it when they want to hear mattered not and -- totally capture that. He also captured I can relate to this families as assistant to the sister had an an -- on elation of George Michael which is it was a great -- that -- work out well worked out great yeah. -- get a handle on a slower. Exactly is that George Michael later plays a queen cancels us up but the thing wasn't the story is it queens."

" And this is exactly the thing that impressed me because when I heard about a let's interest and it's really cool. But I don't know that would be enough to sustain an I think is what is its framing device for everything else that happens in life that is once again different an -- he's not. He's he hasn't solved nuclear physics like if anything is like is is is. But normal Sonoma that's a normal -- that the twist ought to be different items that you know what you lived in England his parents were are are are British -- over he was ten. And also he's coming living here. Front as they actually do respected and it's an interesting perspective that farm. Also is on -- lot of cartoon he still on this one of my favorite things and it is the title page that I guess that has. It's it's like timeline of yeah what -- his Stanley Stanley juxtapose those and those that they'll release -- of queen songs and albums and that's in the -- in the -- we want -- like when you get to the end of the time on you know -- disappeared from it in my -- of his grandparents -- you know who have an attitude. That is of his immediate family and kids are born and stuff yet it is is that. It's amazing -- yeah I mean like what I spent. A good 510 minutes looking at it trying to decipher it is."

" Great is he is is it is one of the of the best ways to Sardinia the real idea what the story about injuries yeah this is great and I look I mean it really would have bought it purely on the other Freddie -- the cover of -- Mercury and you know -- down queen and those people who -- music. But when I finish it obviously. Then he got he."

" Yeah yeah it's again it's very it wasn't. Was revelatory innocently a lot of these folks are you talk about what my. A lot of these -- saying really hard truths in there and think it wasn't so much like that it wasn't that was that was his scandalous anyway is sort of -- perspective. But even the fact liked it really. -- a musician. That much it was the it was in his interest and -- any utility as -- might you know and familiar that he got you know yeah I definitely think so. One little last looked at that we wanted to mention real quick it's because it was -- it's been yeah. Crist. 1976 to 1978 so -- Chris is the."

" not additional comment many -- it's a little less of that as he's got pole then farm of these two stories from him in high school. In the seventies. It in and night. That this story is is -- the story. And I found this charming just because it was select all the but never anything like that he joined be joined rock band in high school on they've been hired to play their first gig at like a bug gathering of bikers. And the -- and then then the bikers. I get naked and have an orgy. While they're playing sort of yeah in the day because not and in the end of girls like that was really good and she's says want to have sex. That's the end of and then there's there's a story you know there's a picture of Chris back then on the back lot of photos from -- your dinner candidate there. A lot of it was sort of and it's just it's it's eight cosmonauts who put it out I -- applaud you for president I enjoyed it you're about it --"

" On top of the boot finalist is they have ninety -- the lives of two dollars bucks six bucks for four dollars -- and -- I. Four dollars but again it's worth it just for the is it's worth just for fun -- received a written -- expect -- Barack Obama says Chris Alex McVeigh is doing a great guy who loves comics and like I'm making comics and that's what I do. -- these -- you really I was gonna say yeah. This isn't enough as is and up until we want more moment I just write the driver that is like to read hasn't had this to happen. That was also very good like to read it again this."

" About people who participate in the look at life differently so that everyone who has that threat to the usually have a story to tell me -- have started speaking to do well. Susceptible people can -- hook us up life stories of people with that kind of brain thinks differently in the compiled differently and they put together stores."

" Mandatory everybody's life is can the interstate and and -- you don't have that you don't have to be superheroes avenue just like men and you can tell it comics yes."

" Hammer out about it it's certainly 1008 it's so. I'm for the fire him. If you had sort of -- Could very detailed scripted -- so if you've heard of any autobiographical -- that we spend some notes that alternative that we should check out she -- that not content to let him let -- come with a particular suggestions he's is -- Notebooks of you can -- of what's validated and was just to -- 6697. -- using here -- my music on our -- show. Let us and you are."

" And come back and -- talk about this show these books the books you like that are autobiography is all kinds of things that are we've been audition all this stuff and."

" It's replace for the autobiography it's the sixth grade but that was due here. Kinda fascinating changed everything changed my voice well marvelous engine for years yeah generally grow I didn't get a better. I can't to a seat -- and that that's what makes it's a it's like a -- master."

" 32. Halo two other so much."

" No wonder what is -- started to read too."

" This -- okay this article."

" 32."

" And it fourth grade witnesses Cornish and I really this is -- She's got a little study they but I'm we've built these yet -- letting us look at my desk and this paper we draw all over the number of this amid a little sign and you pull the string you go fancy nerd alert because there was. --"

" And I did any of us how we act and I remember that."

" This -- and -- fan boys brought you by godaddy.com. And netflix.com."

" They will be another excellent family public discussion show monies Ron Richards and I'm here with. I'm not planning -- byproduct -- Patrick and the great thing about comics is they're all types of retired from me to pick or the most popular types that the committees in the side of comics. In the autobiographies telling year old story on. -- the sort of like when people think Indy comics that I personally think and a lot of times I think it's a negative territory yeah and it is -- that we'll just it's just a sad pathetic cartoonists and myself talking about a satellite went opera this. Yeah me. The -- about it now let me why -- He's okay epithet that's who believe that he got bill that these anyway let -- and a lot of times it's it's kind of a lot of wallowing in the vicinity of the what. Website -- we talk about are about to go it's world wind the Indian art."

" It's Vietnam it's -- and she's got to get stories did you think of of novels and you think of autobiography about an hour. -- novelists don't have a caucus and what they have -- there are well authors Carol back all those books were all autobiography right on the road electric esophagus she changed the names and -- made some people -- little better than what her her -- it but that's that's first or don't know an end it in the sense one of the very. Best kinds of stories that -- our writer artist especially can tell. Arm is is a story about the life because they remembered at a certain way they can picture and occasionally you have collaborations we're gonna talk about some here. -- it's this want to listen to comics do really well I don't know is that personal nature of being able to do it. Armed with some of my favorite comics it's actually in the constant -- had been are back stories -- there with him so we we thought we would we would take some of this there's a lot."

" The so many are not going to tall now upon -- and we really like some we have the real expert."

" Yes. Probably the biggest. -- backdrop of comic to come out in in in recent memory last couple years it's fun home by Alison backed out. This is. It's a national best seller I mean it's times best book of the year that some -- may listen look at the back and it recommends before -- and -- USA today to salon and in like it it it really kind of went outside of our typical -- you discount the world in tonight the mainstream -- breakout letters -- and in the right and these publishes books by real book publishers look at -- but in that it was -- a real break out its its dubbed -- Stanley tragic -- Yeah -- I I've heard I've said this the first time read it -- actually -- repeated of the places it's very good but it's not necessarily enjoyable. Positive breast it's an extremely stark look at at her life growing up in the stuff that happened likely. On funeral home. -- Yeah it's it's really good it's it's a lot talking and sort of showing a picture of what that looked like at that point is as posted. -- sequential storytelling it's not quite that in this instance I think a lot of -- are like yes. A lot written about it but we would be sort of remiss to not talk about it it's it's an incredibly skillful comic book. I I'm very glad to read."

" I'd my opponent hardcover in Lincoln and deserves all the please -- deaths mainly did yes and I can't imagine what do in this -- was life and it's going to be harrowing so look at your family into. Really kind of you know when your parents and and the way you brought up and and and really look at the magnifying glasses to figure out how you got to be where you were because of these things and so I'm you -- answers to you know -- as much investigation detective --"

" And you -- never know as you're writing not you minutes a year anyone is writing this stuff down. You're actually discovering and you sing it live and it turned that's life then what felt that way. And so because that's so personal it's it's easy to relate to yeah. That's salaam in and you know find something in those people you know this sort of two waging looking at a bio and on about look if you look at -- that's nothing like me and it's fascinating you you just like right there. This is really good story yes give -- scuba register lives. All know that's a pretty straight up and not only not only does it continues the motif of books with maps and lots of accidents and as a -- it's -- good -- on. A sort of completely different way to go -- it's a little more of an abstract. Our auto -- so much that I was like us on a bottle this is and it's about it's pressures in the midwest fight Josh Carter com. It's it's not specifically auto -- but it's based upon growing up in in in the midwest. In a very -- your religious and small town look what you when you think of middle America what it."

" Mean real life influence yes I guess partially because the area and from. For more fires that characterize these and names you know whatever they are narrow minds he added that it's it's hard to you know assigned human qualities -- those -- Us exactly that -- is this. A lot of -- I think with a commitment. This is hard covers is beautiful that this book tore up they'd be seen over the past few years like this that the issue the issue that came out or like. Now that almost possible fine in -- people waiting -- asleep next chapter than when it's hard cover enough people obviously flock to him. Won awards all of the excitement yes he's here he's great Eisner and that's nominated. When asked to become."

" Born so what has been exceptional James signed rookie out of such a premise of this. Now it's not it's not a straight ahead narrative it's like. A space of time. In between. -- boy in his in his younger brother in the room with their parents and it's almost like the difficulty that he has fitting in there and it's symbolized by a lot of the fantasy life that goes on its own head and it's. Almost one of those things it does not beginning middle and into the story it's -- yet to things that happen. And they're things that tie into each other and you remember things yes and and robots and they're very. Star and realistic then you'll be reading it you'll go oh my gosh that's painful yeah. To look at you know waited like if you were ever ever felt alienated kid an eight year old did not Howard thirteen year old did not communicate. That's what this is and it's a very. There's nothing like it nothing to compare this book to at all."

" This on. Yes it's lady with the with some cringe worthy of remembrances of childhood it's from Mike that men and -- of the fact that the fact that the day after our people and and that the you have been on an as yet to sign a lot like robots yet they think that. -- a little bit out of the the the real world but it but it because the mindset of the imagination of all -- and it is -- cartoonist yet make our sense that. It's it's again it's not an easy read I think it's actually pretty. It's fairly comfortable at times the art is is rarely on Tony. It is what it there's a lot of cross -- specific tiny little marks and things like that aiding and -- left on the lots of panels lots of repetition and things like that. It takes you out of the story a lot of little -- as of yet the whole you know if this'll kind of world that he crates around it but that's just kind of I think -- the core of it though is it is it is a restore of a real people there. Sinners and in typical child."

" Usually these books of the domain of smaller developers but sometimes he gets the from the big publishers and X two from vertigo from DC comics. The alcoholic which. It's more specific. This is specific exploration for a writer."

" Jonathan -- writer of this is as a novelist and leave and it is it was illustrated by -- feel loved loved his work and he has the -- this is a scary unflinching look. At the life of a guy who like it's called the alcoholics is a look back -- it had all sorts of opportunities also to things not not. All squandered. But a lot of the regret that go along with having not made. Maybe the best choices that."

" It's it's it's a look at that it. Varied. Rough life and uninteresting ones on the -- battling but you know he's got it well it opens up with him you know waking up on it. We've kept this well mine where a lot of old lady I decided to have sex with in this car yet -- managers don't have any money -- like. There have been an editor like business life you know -- tennis a lot of -- a lot of guts takes -- tell stories like this mean."

" That's very true because I read this stuff what's happening I don't know. If I can put that out of like almost going to read this. This much is that it is very bright honest look at led from the team although it is ultimately Anderson it -- being a bit after game. Sex mister slick. -- a lot lot of the relationships that are that are both joint Rwandan and absences. You know what's fascinating about this is because it's such a personal story and asked to do with so many things that happened to him. You know and it's not drawn by. Com and but -- collaborations that population that is the because these are both written and drawn right but the crater on in this one half Steele takes over. And and does it what I can only assume this aren't -- people actually look like but I I like act now because it's. Is that chemistry create something new something a little different. Com. And it also like force it sometimes and you have a single right artists that person can sort of meander you know you've got a person you're doing -- they can you can make you make a better product and somebody to bounce -- them and they the end and they is that is that collaboration where you know much -- broad dimension to it -- and expected I read this in one -- I you know it's it's a great. So -- a -- from -- and Ellison about it. It's really is that the you know. Yeah. This is one of those comics. That's all I don't know what's skyscrapers but. Pretty much all of us who talked about actually there are the books he can give to people. Whose every comic books a lot of times it's like is here's a story better person read this and and Tommy my preconceptions comments afterwards I salute on the and that I like -- it another one."

" Sentences was and my book of the month few months back and this is much different topics subject and the rest of his books this is what this is about. A guy who was growing up -- wanted to be an -- this is an eighty's with the -- was only just started to become. Unpopular and it insists the smaller areas wasn't -- the notes -- a huge. They would have didn't see it got involved in drugs and got in the shot and crippled him. And it's his life and it is a whole book about choices and how your choices wolf what your life amendment -- change change of course election and yet has yet as treatment if pat is currently very good at what it be his and scene and then he gets shot and it derails this whole it's he's he's got his dreams of as and then -- And as a about the choices and it."

" One of things I really like about this is that I have. And so I can listen to some hip -- throughout -- excellent stuff and to see. The people that he was involved with all online he was there at the very beginning he was there in the middle. And elect. It's solid financial crisis is still there. Now like like -- going to show with -- Russell like an early ninety's and then how would anxious and like I don't think of them like that then. You know but all deceptive and after all that the governor establishment yeah. We're not the -- time in these things like for the first out was that we are rising."

" You know this -- Mike how intertwined that's -- was with the sort of crime like that was going on scene tonight. He you know. He sold drugs he that's how he made money we did -- this into the finances rap career. Not the same time you know he's -- KRS-one it would MF doom who's very famous now and and that's what they're there's no."

" And the loses is like going to sound like night and -- almost looks like maintain. What have you. X minerals and activities these days over Christmas yet how it how it. And the house has all this matter of factly connected and and you just don't think about that as being the way it works but it is."

" People -- got a lot of it off the city and -- it and hip -- then but it is beginning at least for sure everyone knows it and I'm like that's what's funny is that starts off the talks are strong his mother is and that it but it doesn't look like he's in ship. -- know he's he's a problem she's got temporary hits and bytes but also some of the Soviet. So the problem not let him be Batman -- now if he's defending a girl was almost to get written on -- beat Richard from right. And also the -- night for me was just an example noted in the US and Syria and he says you know it's not under attack Barbara -- gets you excited you going to be fine specimens and he -- that he sided deal get a record contract reduced social drugs. If he still had no money right. And that he got busted and got shot and one of the sort."

" Where things tonight is like his take on what that is very different than mine because of cultural symbol of what is and what is acceptable and this is very different and to -- that was fascinating thing about reading this because the the place and he's coming from is completely different place and I am an arm and hopefully he's written. In his in his voice was very strong or powerful and it which is you know. If anybody was trying to fake that it sound ridiculous like. Let's see some of tennis is worse attempts at writing the cage for example that this is actual this is real it's at a."

" Also he owns up to like here's a right hook -- up like it's not like oh well Cormier agonize I got. Is all it takes all the solicit business what happened to be a -- has -- because. I'd made these things happen prime -- because what I did right that's added he's here today if there it is the story also. We've got to grow about three blocks them. While you global the neighborhood same neighborhood."

" Which is suggesting you double. Did well I was I -- so I'm telling you I don't know how -- I don't you -- know that this country's -- 180 degrees from viewers and you -- three. I was geographically greatness that was well three blocks from where the event in the beginning you thought it'd connectors such -- street to street was so it's officer from -- my apartment of monogram. But yet it was really first you're pretty of the oh -- gonna put us up like this and is now than you know that is totally edgy and totally herself and a lot of notice that tunnel -- to let it of the year main street. Yeah this is really very didn't -- do more stuff like this and alcohol. Will come back a couple more that's."

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" A couple more books -- to talk about a private little war. I would think typical about what you think about auto while comics. The first one I have here is that Jeffrey Brown's body shape and --"

" We -- we didn't -- much -- it's jot just guys who I don't know what it is. At the pump we talk to him and his book of the --"

" Did you on -- clumsy aren't so happy that we dug through -- up comics -- actually out from. Touchstone which is is seal cited uses the real but it's real I hate saying but it's one of the major book publishers there -- Those books. That we talked about four very much Jeffrey brown fan is one of those things where if you would have flipped through it I think a lot of comics and movies -- this is I'm not -- small right. Is an injury and also but the thing is it's he's not doing that because he doesn't have skills he's doing it don't -- that requires -- you actually get people."

" Don't draw. Don't realize that it's not easy to actually use a drawn out younger and not nearly as good as anybody on the table book that's."

" Difficult sherbet to -- earlier books very much are. Why what you make of I don't know -- she talked word she does not cancer now on this sad. Now and I think that's bad but it is what you think of -- is this book is a different favorites is this step up for or not step up just a different. Take on how he does it end and it's it's much more -- a step up is better if he is better -- arts better his stories on the matter he he showed he's making does have a choice is not to do it completely nearly you know that's not a word. On he he is telling about his life through. So -- career basically it's due to the high school. "

" Our process person someone who likes art song who likes to prosper I -- confident a lot of it's about it's part art school. And fighting his artistic voice be noted one of the big arts in the book is getting to the when he's a painter he doesn't alternative art. And it art school gets support doing these comments have -- but this is the size of the pages -- story here what she doesn't start training like this. And he she -- it was showing your art school -- occasional. All the press -- and doing too small -- bigger but I'm not like they're smaller and I don't know at a pitching depth thing is perfect let us -- of course. Its -- rather fascinating because we've met and interviewed him. From his books he's very. In word but not outgoing and very. Then. He's not -- not oppose it at from the book he's very shy and very not -- not a very much full self esteem. Which almost strictly up to the idea of putting these books out yet you have got some sort of confidence in your life. And -- just about yourself out -- let's."

" Only in the US and make it standout. You have to show -- low of honesty it is very difficult and that is where."

" That's the bravery and doing."

" And I slept I think it's totally insecure person to secure enough in his own self to put this story is personal story to -- defective so that dichotomy of Sosa."

" Since it's in the bottom of the order of things that he said before though is that. You know I'm not exactly that for you nice job showing his side of my songs for the rush it and so what people think that he's going to be incredibly meet him in frighten you putt you augment the existing sorry so sorry exactly exactly. And it's a -- of it what you remember it's a automatically in this book is strongly. -- of the noted yet that's exactly but in the end it's it's like how he's got as far as books published in one of what it was like manner for him what his experience was you know his drawing in high school and in college grad school. -- It was a I was really sort of come -- Nixon -- he's done a lot of books he's he's doing work constantly for years now and he's getting he's getting better he's he's. You know it. Again first glance doesn't look like this guy's gonna be."

" One of the masters of the genre it's that it and it shows that with you know with the dedication and with the refining Napoli cinnamon and putting -- material it's it's funny that hope that makes the story didn't want to tell us --"

" Any parents and if it remorse but can draw so struck out there so if it. But so another book that's a similar same vein is -- Mike Dawson called Freddie mean which also. Susan yes -- these a lot of but obviously if we're to have him get away from whatever the separate -- aggressive on the hood and this is it's a single graphic novel it was -- my blueberry yeah. And -- what is is that this it's like dozens of writer artist telling his kind of coming of age story. Camera moves from England England New Jersey in the eighties and -- of the nineties he's like tan yeah. So and it tells his his growing up all in the shadow of his admiration and love for -- queen. Now. They're people who are fans of music. Arm but occasionally people really gone on to. One thing in the America they connect with something very passionate about it and and then become almost like -- like that it's a fanatic and might actually you know immediately add and edit it ha ha. Well -- what is -- that I imagine that you read you I -- very much all gasoline that that's on the one of his second -- is -- about this is that it was this the zealotry. It's Parcells the you know he feels that you're the only person you know the answer to life and it's the songs that you love whether it's clean or any other man yeah. It had a this but so and other -- you know if it's Freddie Mercury or Axl Rose and -- or whoever else there -- rose -- this speaker gave him a threat but actually. But. But but you you know the the the world's -- line in the song and so is your mission to tell -- about it when they want to hear mattered not and -- totally capture that. He also captured I can relate to this families as assistant to the sister had an an -- on elation of George Michael which is it was a great -- that -- work out well worked out great yeah. -- get a handle on a slower. Exactly is that George Michael later plays a queen cancels us up but the thing wasn't the story is it queens."

" And this is exactly the thing that impressed me because when I heard about a let's interest and it's really cool. But I don't know that would be enough to sustain an I think is what is its framing device for everything else that happens in life that is once again different an -- he's not. He's he hasn't solved nuclear physics like if anything is like is is is. But normal Sonoma that's a normal -- that the twist ought to be different items that you know what you lived in England his parents were are are are British -- over he was ten. And also he's coming living here. Front as they actually do respected and it's an interesting perspective that farm. Also is on -- lot of cartoon he still on this one of my favorite things and it is the title page that I guess that has. It's it's like timeline of yeah what -- his Stanley Stanley juxtapose those and those that they'll release -- of queen songs and albums and that's in the -- in the -- we want -- like when you get to the end of the time on you know -- disappeared from it in my -- of his grandparents -- you know who have an attitude. That is of his immediate family and kids are born and stuff yet it is is that. It's amazing -- yeah I mean like what I spent. A good 510 minutes looking at it trying to decipher it is."

" Great is he is is it is one of the of the best ways to Sardinia the real idea what the story about injuries yeah this is great and I look I mean it really would have bought it purely on the other Freddie -- the cover of -- Mercury and you know -- down queen and those people who -- music. But when I finish it obviously. Then he got he."

" Yeah yeah it's again it's very it wasn't. Was revelatory innocently a lot of these folks are you talk about what my. A lot of these -- saying really hard truths in there and think it wasn't so much like that it wasn't that was that was his scandalous anyway is sort of -- perspective. But even the fact liked it really. -- a musician. That much it was the it was in his interest and -- any utility as -- might you know and familiar that he got you know yeah I definitely think so. One little last looked at that we wanted to mention real quick it's because it was -- it's been yeah. Crist. 1976 to 1978 so -- Chris is the."

" not additional comment many -- it's a little less of that as he's got pole then farm of these two stories from him in high school. In the seventies. It in and night. That this story is is -- the story. And I found this charming just because it was select all the but never anything like that he joined be joined rock band in high school on they've been hired to play their first gig at like a bug gathering of bikers. And the -- and then then the bikers. I get naked and have an orgy. While they're playing sort of yeah in the day because not and in the end of girls like that was really good and she's says want to have sex. That's the end of and then there's there's a story you know there's a picture of Chris back then on the back lot of photos from -- your dinner candidate there. A lot of it was sort of and it's just it's it's eight cosmonauts who put it out I -- applaud you for president I enjoyed it you're about it --"

" On top of the boot finalist is they have ninety -- the lives of two dollars bucks six bucks for four dollars -- and -- I. Four dollars but again it's worth it just for the is it's worth just for fun -- received a written -- expect -- Barack Obama says Chris Alex McVeigh is doing a great guy who loves comics and like I'm making comics and that's what I do. -- these -- you really I was gonna say yeah. This isn't enough as is and up until we want more moment I just write the driver that is like to read hasn't had this to happen. That was also very good like to read it again this."

" About people who participate in the look at life differently so that everyone who has that threat to the usually have a story to tell me -- have started speaking to do well. Susceptible people can -- hook us up life stories of people with that kind of brain thinks differently in the compiled differently and they put together stores."

" Mandatory everybody's life is can the interstate and and -- you don't have that you don't have to be superheroes avenue just like men and you can tell it comics yes."

" Hammer out about it it's certainly 1008 it's so. I'm for the fire him. If you had sort of -- Could very detailed scripted -- so if you've heard of any autobiographical -- that we spend some notes that alternative that we should check out she -- that not content to let him let -- come with a particular suggestions he's is -- Notebooks of you can -- of what's validated and was just to -- 6697. -- using here -- my music on our -- show. Let us and you are."

" And come back and -- talk about this show these books the books you like that are autobiography is all kinds of things that are we've been audition all this stuff and."

" It's replace for the autobiography it's the sixth grade but that was due here. Kinda fascinating changed everything changed my voice well marvelous engine for years yeah generally grow I didn't get a better. I can't to a seat -- and that that's what makes it's a it's like a -- master."

" 32. Halo two other so much."

" No wonder what is -- started to read too."

" This -- okay this article."

" 32."

Wade

Started discussion: June 10, 2009 @ 2:40am GMT

Episode 125 - Autobiographical Comic Books [Discussion]

This week on iFanboy it's all about me, me, me! Look at me!

Watch or download now!

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Just wondering if anyone else is only getting audio on the left side?

chlop
5 months ago
Yes - just the left side, but the audio is loud enough so it's not really a problem.
Tad
5 months ago
Really a solid episode. Excellent topic and discussion. This is the kind of episode that really sets you guys apart. Well done.

And yes, it's the lowbrow moment of the show but I have to say the capper gag was perfectly delivered and timed. You had me laughing and smiling through the outtakes. Felt like I was just having a great time hanging with friends.
bmwt
5 months ago
audio fixed/reposted.
stuclach
5 months ago
I enjoyed the episode and have ordered the Yearbook book.

I also had audio only on the left side.
sugarsickness
5 months ago
scanning the show notes I see no American Splendor. Oh well :[
cormano
5 months ago
This is the first episode in a while that is going to end up costing me a substantial amount of money. I really want to read all of these books. I've read and loved Fun Home and Sentences and a lot of other Jeffry Brown books (haven't picked up the new one yet, but I plan to), but the rest all sound great.

I actually got Year Book Stories for free in one of my Top Shelf orders but haven't read it. This has now become a top priority.
NukeGoBoom
5 months ago
No Persepolis? Ridicoulas. It even had a movie based on it and it hasnt been even mentioned.
JAFlanagan
5 months ago
We've talked about both Persepolis and American Splendor in the past.

We don't like to keep repeating the same things over and over if we can help it.
sugarsickness
5 months ago
I don't remember anything on American Splendor. Guess I need to rewatch an episode somewhere.

Also, Top Shelf had a sale towards the end of alst year I think where along with discounts on many books you could also add both Top Shelf's 2008 Sampler manga sized thing and/or Year Book Stories for only a penny. Year Book Stories really is a great one.
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