The Graphic Novel That Isn't

The 'Great' Graphic Novel that Isn't!

The cover blurbs say it so plainly.

"Simply stated, American Splendor is the most superb literary endeavor to come off the streets of Cleveland in decades."

"Pekar lets all of life flood into his panels: the humdrum and the heroic, the gritty and the grand."

Well, let me say this, "Ego and Hubris, the Michael Malice Story" is none of the above. This is no masterpiece. Even though Harvey Pekar is probably the best known creator of mass media graphic novels next to Neil Gaman, who is a master, this novel holds no great interest. There are no grand themes. There is no great conflict. There is no real moral content. This is almost comic book self endearment at its' worst.

The art of the graphic novel is much more than this. If you have read my previous piece on "Stagger Lee", the power of the Graphic Novel is amazing. Michael Malice, in this book, grows up from a young child into an adult of no particular talent or consequence, and Pekar has created a series of images around this. He takes no stand. He makes no impact.

If you liked American Splendor, you should like this. Otherwise, ignore it.

I remain,

A fan of the genre

Tim Lasiuta