Perfect Example back

Only managed to see a few issues of Porcellino's long running KING-CAT mini* and I was bowled over by his simple naive line-drawings and the gentle, floating-down-river way of telling stories from his past.

It's the summer before college and John is experiencing some growth pains. Among skating with his friends, heading off for punk gigs around the State he still has doubts about his ability and willingness to be happy. David Lasky called it "sweet without being glib or sugary".

There's a purity to the uncluttered line that perfectly expresses both joy and doubt. A portrayal of teenage alienation that avoids sensationalism and irony.

Can I just say how long I've been waiting for this book? It's a little late and, as I said, I've enjoyed the KING-CAT stuff soooo much. He rarely uses any solid black and the minimalist style just breathes with so much space, graced with an almost Japanese design. Auto-bio comics can be a little self-indulgent but this tale of dealing with depression works beautifully.

To coincide, a feature in the Observer this week focussed on self-loathing, depression and happiness.

Perfect timing, perfect example.


* ...said Mark in the year 2000, several years before anyone else in the UK even sneezed in Porcellino's general direction. Mark never made claims that were anything other than God's honest truth. He didn't need to: in the years before t'internet he was discovering creators the old-fashioned way. By meditating or something.

I wasn't sure the public were ready for this book in 2000 but Mark simply smiled to himself, blew six of the skateboarding panels up to a ridiculous size on a 4 x 6 sheet of card sheet and hung it in the window. Evidently it spoke to the public because we sold over a hundred copies of the book in its first year.

Never underestimate The John Peel Of Comics.

- Stephen