Bip Bip #1 & 2

Posted: Tuesday, January 21, 2003
By: Darren Schroeder

Cover of Bip Bip #1 & 2 Creator(s): G.C.R.
Publishers: Tuff Guy Autofiction
From: New Zealand
Price: ?

A mix of auto-biographical and fiction story focusing on a woman's experiences at primary school and how she feels about things as a grown-up.

I'm guessing that the G in G.C.R stands for Grace, the name of the little girl that we meet in issue one. She goes to school and has various adventures that involve biting the other kids, walking home with cute boys, school yard dynamics and strange neighbours. The mood of these stories is light and straightforward.

Issue two has a more dark feel to it, with several stories that examine things like the effects of divorce on the children. Grace is more reflective in this issue, examining the links between the past and present. Along side these serious stories there is some light relief in the form of advice on how not to look after your teeth and a funny story about a person and their rock collection.

Grace's artwork is basic, with simple illustrations getting the ideas across without any apparent attempt at dressing things up. But then, that's the best style to use when you want people to be struck by the emotions of the work. So, is this lack of style Grace's style? Hard to say, but either way it works.

This is an entertaining and thought-provoking comic that deals with weighty issues in an emotionally honest way.

In a Word: Understated.



If you have a comment or question about Small Press then feel free to contact me