HEADSTATIC Book Review

HEADSTATIC
Official Site
$12.00 direct
Xeric Award Winner

Some opine that graphic novels are the latest evolution of literature. I’m not sure I find that notion entirely agreeable, after all part of the inherent attraction of the written word is the mandate that you actually use your imagination. Graphic novels, conversely, obviate the need for imagination in a pretty obvious way. This is not meant to detract from graphic novels in any way, they still require more imagination that most movies and such, rather I just wanted to note that I don’t see well written books going the way of the stegosaurus anytime soon.

That out of the way, let us turn our attention to a graphic novel called “HEADSTATIC”. Before we venture into the good and bad points of the piece a little bit of the back story is of interest. Jay Hacker, the author, has wanted to do comics for a very long time. Here I am not talking about someone who sees comics as easy money or a quick ego rub, no sir, I am talking about a guy who just wants to do comics. Which really wouldn’t differentiate him from a million other folks except the previously mentioned Jay Hacker has plenty of talent and the kind of dogged determination usually reserved for coyotes chewing their legs off in order to escape a live capture trap. So Jay went through the usual channels and, honestly, failed. At this point you’d expect me to say that the comic is self-published, but it isn’t. Jay Hacker, working hard, found a place that would spot him the dough to publish a full-fledged graphic novel. Why did they give him the necessary cash? Hey, those teenage mutant ninja turtle guys know that not everything that gets rejected sucks.

So the question is now does HEADSTATIC suck? The answer is occasisionally. There are moments in HEADSTATIC when you wonder just what the author was thinking. Fortunately these moments very rare, most of the book is extremely entertaining. How can a single graphic novel manage to both suck and shine at the same time? If it was your standard linear graphic novel that would be quite a trick but HEADSTATIC is a scattershot effort, it is comprised of many stories some lasting a page, some lasting several pages. How many pages the stories average is difficult to say since the entire book is bereft of page numbers.

What the book is loaded chock full of is artistic talent. Take a look:

Jay Hacker is very talented fine artist and his skill shows through as the pages turn. Here you might expect the style to stay roughly similar throughout the pages. You know the drill, draw your best stuff as well as you can, but that’s not the case. From the oddly sensual and compelling to the decidedly cartoony the author covers every nook and cranny of the comic style and he does each one with a level of talent most of us would kill for. Here’s another page in an entirely different style:

It is quite astounding to see someone make successful attempts at such a wide range of styles. While successful in any style the reader always sees Jay’s personal talents shine through and if the book was free of words it would still be a black and white visual treat.

Of course art is only half the battle when dealing with a graphic novel, story telling comes into play as well. Here the author goes crazy and pokes at everything just to see if it moves. Politics are not off limits, relationships are fine fodder and some super hero stuff chimes in. Sure some of the stuff is less than interesting but such a wide array of topics are covered that there is something interesting and relevant for everyone.

And that is, perhaps, the allure of HEADSTATIC. For a small investment of cash you get to see many styles of art all completed expertly and widely ranging stories, some surely pertinent to your particular position in life. Trust me when I say that finding this book and reading it will not be time misspent, there is something for everyone between the covers.

Hey that was pretty cool, a book review instead of my usual worthless meanderings. So let us jump right into:

Amazing Antonio’s Allego
Nope, I just can’t do it. If you’ve read this small slice of the ‘net for any period of time you know that I usually do a great big alliteration deal and put whoever sent in the best links into the Alliteration Hall of Fame.â„¢ But the alliteration section is now officially cancelled. Sure I had a lot of fun doing it but Nate Eaton came along and with a minimal amount of effort wrote this:

En effet, Eaton equivocates excessively … exceptionally earthbound East Coast entity earns early exit.

Exceptis excipiendis?

Good Gravy! I couldn’t top that with a freakin’ cherry. Nate must be a bus driver cause he just took me to school. So I’m just going to silently practice my alliteration at home, if it ever gets within a magnitude of Nate’s I’ll fire it up again.

Of course just because I don’t have the usual alliteration doesn’t mean I’m leaving the links outs. Oh no, links are the most important part, hell everyone loves blodder (blog+fodder). (Side note to Nate: Okay, I’ll admit Kush put it on Berry tonight but wait until the VP debates. Chedwards will slaughter!)

Every Thursday Applematters publishes a great article. Here’s this week’s slice of greatness (Guy won’t like it):
Why You Won’t Be Seeing a “Headless” Mac
I ask you: Is there a better Mac oriented writer out there? (Rhetorical question, DO NOT ANSWER!)

At home science fun:
Cleaning Pennies with Taco Sauce
The author does a nice job of experimenting and tracking down the facts.

Ninjai: The Little Ninja
I’m not saying these shorts don’t have problems, I mean why does nearly everyone have a decidedly non-Asian accent? But they are compelling stories. If you follow the link be prepared to invest some time because these shorts are addictive.

Canon Field Test: Hunting Bigfoot
Greatest movie EVER. Well, not really. Mildly diverting though. Special thanks goes to Tim.

Escher For Real
If you like MC Escher you’ll love this.

Well that’s it for today.
PWI: Stone Cold Sober
Tridiot Rating: Hello Mittens! (the horror, the horror)