Lonely In Black

Posted: Tuesday, May 4, 2004
By: Darren Schroeder

Cover of Lonely In Black Writer(s): Michael Garcia
Artist(s): Andy Perez
Publishers: Rubber Band Press (Self Published)
From: USA
Price: $2(US)

In the first page of this book the creators set out their aim of ridiculing the gothic lifestyle, pointing out just how formulaic the black wearing doom laden scene is. They propose to do this through the story of Wesley Fisher - Gothic teenage loner who doesn't fit in with his school mates. The School counsellor has decided that Wesley has to get socialised, so sets him the task of jointing some clubs.

For a work that so vehemently states its purpose to put the boot in, I was surprised how mild the satire is in this book. Wesley seems quite likeable and not at all ridiculous. His lonely depression monologues never goes on too long to even start being grating. The humour seems harsher when it comes to the other characters: the dumb blond cheerleader who is always ecstatic, the very weird counsellor.

Much of the humour resides in the artwork, with Andy being proficient at giving characters vacant looks which hint at their air-head status. The characters are well crafted, and the background have a jaunty look to them, with lots of decoration and interesting layouts. There's some variety in the weight of the line work which suggests the artwork has been drawn to different scales, and there is also some nice pin-ups and splash pages that will appeal to cosplay fans.

Lacking the bit that it promises, the book is okay for a light read, only proving satisfying it it's artwork

In a Word: Timid.



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