This strip is a good example of his more thought provoking work. On one hand you can see why some people found his stuff 'boring', as on the face of it, I guess not a lot happens, yet on the other hand it speaks volumes (to me anyway).
quondam | |
| Definition: | (adjective) Belonging to some prior time. |
| Synonyms: | erstwhile, one-time, sometime, former, old |
| Usage: | The employers' associations, that had helped the captains of industry to tear and rend labor, were now torn and rent by their quondam allies. |
  LeprosyIdentified primarily by the skin lesions it causes, leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that affects the skin, peripheral nerves in the hands and feet, and mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and eyes. Because of the deformities associated with it, leprosy has been one of the most feared diseases since biblical times. Contrary to popular belief, however, the leprosy mentioned in the Old Testament is likely an entirely different ailment than the one known today. Is leprosy treatable? More... |
 Cinco de Mayo (1862)Cinco de Mayo, the "Fifth of May," is a Mexican holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's unexpected victory over invading French troops at the Battle of Puebla. It is widely observed in Mexico and the US, particularly as a celebration of Mexican culture. However, it is distinct from Mexico's Independence Day, which is held annually on September 16 and commemorates Mexico's independence from Spanish rule in 1810. What became of the French after the Battle of Puebla? More... |
 Elizabeth Cochrane, AKA Nellie Bly (1864)Cochrane was a pioneering female journalist who wrote under the pseudonym Nellie Bly. She wrote investigative articles on topics such as the plight of female factory workers, and as a young woman worked as a foreign correspondent in Mexico. She later feigned insanity to gain access to an asylum and wrote an exposé that prompted much-needed reforms. In 1889, she circumnavigated the globe in 72 days, besting the fictional feat conceived by Jules Verne. What famous figure did she meet on the way? More... |
 They are the good Samaritans that find us robbed of all our dreams by the roadside of life, bleeding and weeping and desolate; and such is their skill and wealth and goodness of heart, that they not only heal up our wounds, but restore to us the lost property of our dreams.Richard le Gallienne (1866-1947) |
13 comments:
Isn't it STRANGE how people do that after an "artist" passes ?
I remember I listened to Blizzard Of Oz and Dairy Of A Madman CONSTANTLY once I heard Randy Rhoads was killed....
I digress.
I enjoyed reading that, its quite dark yet carries a very clear message. I'm off to start planning my weekend!!
You'll have to lend me some - I could go for more of this.
I know your not much of a tights and fights fan - but if you get the chance check out Blackest Night Director's Cut . A behind the scenes take on the script, art and writing. A great insight into the comics format.
Heff - yeah why DO we do that?! Weird! I guess there are so many things going on in your life that some things drop to the back a bit, even though ou've not gone off them. Alas it takes a bolt like this to remind you.
JJ - yeah, it made me think a bit too! He was quite a thinker was ol Harv!
Mondo - Glad you liked, will drop you a box full soon! I'm not anti-superhero Mondo, and I do enjoy some titles (and some writers or some titles), but I'll always gravitate back to real life stuff eventually.
P
Wow that's set me up for the day. Better read the Beano now to get back onside.
Warble
Mmm, probably not the most cheery way to kick off a Friday morning but IT'S ALL SO TRUE, SO TRUE... all these QUESTIONS... (and Horrible Histories is on tomorrow morning, hooray!)
Warble\Cocktails - Hmmm, sorry gang! Harvey's stuff is never going to send anyone away with a spring in their step I'm afraid! I just though with him passing this week, this strip was quite relevant.
He was certainly a thinker, but he did suffer from clinical depression, so there is a certain 'glass half empty' to a fair bit of his work (but not all)... hence the 'groucy' reputation.
Hope it hasn't ruined your weekends!
P
I really like his style: his life after death speech is pure poetry. Is he still in print? I'll borrow them after Mondo!
Thanks JM, Believe it or not, over the years his style has been compared to Chekhov and Dostoevsky (although maybe a tad grumpier!). I'm really glad you liked that strip.
He's still in print, although there is no 'complete works' reprints as yet.
Amazon have a good selection, but try an pick up one called "American Splendor: The Life and Times of Harvey Pekar". A huge book that compiles two 'best of' volumes into 1 - some of his best stuff is in this one. If you get hooked there are two more really good 'best of' titles ('best of American Splendor' and 'The New American Splendor Anthology: From Off the Streets of Cleveland'), but I'd say that Life and Times one is a good starting point.
P
I liked that Piley - I loved the American Splendour film but strangely never checked out any more of his work. I will now though...
Nice one John, do let me know how you get on if you go for some... remember it's not all gold, but well worth looking in to.
Not something that you'd read to try and cheer yourself but I'm sure we've all had a few moments like this. Can't help feeling you'd need to be in a certain state of mind to fully appreciate this but good stuff all the same. I can feel another trip to Amazon coming on.
I think we've all had day's like the one Pekar was having in this strip. Like Heff says when some one we admire dies we return to thier work. I see it as a homage , i played a few Rainbow tracks real loud when Ronnie James Dio passed on. It's natural to want to celebarte thier fine work.
Carl.
Post a Comment