Stories about generational trauma have become popular as of late, and while that’s great, it’s starting to feel like mainstream TV series and movies are milking this topic without saying anything new.
Thankfully that was not the case with this comic book, it’s a much-needed take in my opinion. It portrays intergenerational relationships in a more down to earth way. There's no big realization or apology moment for example, something I always found unrealistic.
It is based on the author’s real life experiences and that of her mother’s, grandmother’s and great-grandmother’s as well. It also features her imaginary daughter which I thought was a very interesting (and very cute) choice.
The artwork is definitely one of the most remarkable aspects of this book. It's illustrated in a very charming style reminiscent of naive art, plus it is painted traditionally through and through. I hadn’t seen anything like it in comics before.
The only issue for me is that it costs around 25 euro and you can finish reading it in a single afternoon. Unless you collect comics, it's better to borrow it from a library if you can find it in one near you.
There’s not much point in writing in English about comics that haven’t been published outside of Greece or have been translated in other languages other than Greek. But as the prime minister of this website, I have the power to do so and alas, you will be subjected to it.
The first volume of Hard Rock ended with Markos, the protagonist, leaving Syros for Athens (around the year 2000). In the second volume we get to see the story unfolding from there on.
Uncategorized Thoughts:
Adult animation is getting more and more popular and there’s so much demand now for high quality shows that aren’t -to speak broadly- Family Guy type of comedies. There are so many themes and art-styles that are still left unexplored!
And while I think that most people who agree on this actually want more sci-fi/fantasy/action focused, anime-like adult cartoons I’m writing this to recommend to you 2 adult cartoon shows made in Italy that are comedies plus set in real life!
keep reading... please don’t leave...
Both shows I’m about to talk about are created by Zerocalcare, an Italian cartoonist known for his memoir comics (the only work of his I’ve read is Kobane Calling which I highly recommend). He is famous for divulging into emotional and sensitive real life issues by writing about real events from his life, but in a humorous and yet genuine way. Both shows are of this nature too and that’s mainly why I’m writing about them today.
I don’t want to share too much information about this series, it’s hard saying what it is really about without spoiling it. At its core it has to do with the pressure we’re put under to live a planned life and the need to pretend like we’re knowing what we are doing. It has lots of funny jokes. The first 2 episodes are a bit confusing but things get clearer as the show progresses.
Significantly more slow paced and serious than the former one. It tackles heavy topics such as the the rise of neo-nazi groups, the anti-immigrant and refugee sentiment and the failure of even "progressive" politicians to deal with these issues.
You don’t need to know the slightest thing about Zerocalcare or his work to watch these shows so there’s no need to be held back by that. Also non-American or Japanese animation falls under the radar at Netflix so please give them a try! I suggest watching Tear Along the Dotted Line first and then This world can’t Tear Me down.
