(Birdcage Bottom) I remember hearing that Ben’s new
collection of his daily diary comics would feature strips done after he declared his decision to end the comic, perhaps resulting in more candid strips
that were done without the public’s real time reaction. And I knew there were
some monumental changes in Ben’s life during the period covered here regarding marital status,
employment, and health (there was some online fundraising when he got sick). But
once again, which should not be a surprise, Ben’s day-to-day life as described
in strip form, involving working, practicing with bands, getting drunk and
high, watching videos with his lady, is an exercise of blissful mundanity. Which
is the point of the comic, but a point we all got several books ago. THAT SAID,
there are moments of fresh artistic ambition here, including grand New year’s Eve drawings and dramatic renderings of important moments involving his relationship (and some
genuine intrigue where he didn’t let the readers in on his plans…an actual
narrative device!). So I guess I’d say this is the beat Snakepit book ever, but
I’d add that it ain’t much better than the worst Snakepit book ever…which is a
consistency few cartoonists can boast of.
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