graphic novels

When I started this graphic novel, I wans't at all sure that I would enjoy it. Having read the comics of Jhonen Vasquez (I Feel Sick, et al) and Neil Gaimen (Mr. Punch and Sandman), I was Gloomcookie's target demographic, but it was the commnets of another customer that sold me. He told me that he never cries and that he cried numerous times while reading Gloomcookie. Then, he said he was usually laughing while he cried; the humor was so dark. Although I shed not a tear throughout my reading, I am at the comic book store every Wednesday to see if they got the new issue in.

So, why is it good? As another reviewer pointed out, there is a lot of catty, 6th grade conversations with rather purile behavior. That, to an extent, is true. Valentino is satirizing goth culture: the silly poems, the silly outfits, the silly cliques. If all the characters talked and behaved like mature adults, there would be no power in her punch. But the comic also shows good writing in not so much character dialogue, but plot formation. In one series there is a love story (that seems to stem from past lives and a recurring dream--I don't know that hasn't been completely reveled), an evil witch (who is also a monster), a benevolent monster under the bed, a cannibalistic girlfriend, a circus for a family and role players for whom the game is never over. While this may seem 200 pages of goth knocks and jokes, it simply shows the capacity of the sub-culture to laugh at itself (assuming that someone besides me laughed). But you don't need to be familar with Goth culture/comics/music to laugh. We all know people like this and sadly, will recognize someone in every character.

And, as have been covered in other reviews, the art is spectacular. However, beyond Issue 6 (the last issue in the novel), John Gebbia illustrates, not Ted Naifeh. Gebbia has a different style and there are minute changes in the features of the characters, but the comic doesn't lose its dark feel.

Just so you know, this comic is in black and white for those of you addicted to slick production.

I found the story a bit empty at times, with large holes left in the plot. But I still thoroughly enjoyed this comic. I must admit, I don't read comics often (it's only one of my most recently-developed habits)... so I'm not exactly familiar with the genre. The artwork was dark and definitely beautiful. I liked this book so much that I just purchased Volume Two, and I can't wait for it to arrive... :)

I know it can be argued that this book is a bit of an "inside joke" directed towards the goth community. Now as much as this rant can make me seem I'm one of those outsiders that just doesn't "get" this social parody and idlely snubbing it out of my misunderstanding, I can assure you I was really into the culture... well until I got older. I do get what the author tries to pass off as humor, but to be honest she does a poor job of it. Simply put, your not very funny Ms. Valentino. The art is poorly done, even by the standards of Slave Labor publishing label. The publishers are looking for another Johnny the Homicidal Maniac and I think it would be healthier to go in a different direction. I love Jhonen Vasquez, but even he realized Johnny was becoming played out. I found Invader Zim a refreshing change. On the subject of Gloomcookie again, It strikes out. I'd suggest another title like JTHM.