pheagan

01:30 pm: Indie Rec: Rick Vietch
Can’t Get No is many worthwhile things: an unconventional narrative whose plot includes elements of self-reflection on the nature of the medium, a rumination on 9-11 that contains none of the heavy-handedness or facile treatments that popped up in other comics, an approach to comic storytelling that wears its literary influences on its sleeves. What I find most compelling about this comic book, however, is that it approaches the story told by the text and the story told by the images as distinct elements. Its text is perhaps the most beautiful I’ve encountered in a comic and could stand by itself. But the imagistic narrative it is tied to makes it a compelling and unique comic story.

However, this can be a difficult read, which can be a bit of a slog at times. There is absolutely no definable plot, and as beautiful as the textual narrative is, it does lose steam in certain parts. Also, it isn’t the easiest thing in the world to keep up with the visually told story. The intention seems to be to disturb and provoke readers rather than entertain them with a conventionally told story. But for those looking for something new, something unusual, and something that can be taken up and re-read, this is for you. If you live in L.A., go to http://www.hideho.com.

This is the only thing by Rick Vietch I've read. He's done a lot of conventional comic book work as well, which you'd do well to research if interested.


Tags: can't get no, indie rec, rick vietch