A Love Hate Relationship

Posted by Luke Arnott Jun 15, 2009

The Graphic Novels/Comics Peter Bagge retrospective continues with part one on Hate: Buddy Does Seattle. While I'm a huge fan of all Bagge's stuff, and Hate in particular, I think this period is my favorite. Maybe it's because I've had my own share of deranged roommates over the years.

I'm also most partial to Bagge's art in the early-to-mid-Hate era. As I mention in the article, it's more refined than Neat Stuff, but still very expressionistic and at times surreal. The only possible downside is that non-comics fans might not see past the wild cartooning and appreciate the truly outstanding writing of the series. Hate is typical of "underground" or "alternative" comics (loaded terms) of the time, in that it's based on "relationships" (more loaded terminology) – but it's nothing like the work of, say, Adrian Tomine.

Anyone who thinks that comic books aren't capable of dealing with such interpersonal stuff realistically should read Hate, then remember that, at the same time, Friends was really big on TV. Six people that get along fine living together for years? Yeah, right. Then again, if I could afford a huge Manhattan apartment while waiting tables at a coffee shop, I'd be a lot more cheerful too...