Mind Riot: Coming of Age in Comix

A collection of coming-of-age stories from a group of talented underground comic artists covers such diverse subjects as computer dating, teenaged gangs, skateboarding, body language, and other topics. Original.

Grade 7 Up. Hirsch has assembled 16 previously unpublished coming-of-age stories from the realm of "underground comix," with themes as diverse as the artists and their illustration styles. Subjects include self-esteem, aging, body image, skateboarding, sexuality, self-acceptance, computer dating, compassion, sexual abuse, gangs, friendship, etc. The book has a particularly helpful introduction to the genre, a foreword, names of mail-order catalogs, and a list of related Internet sites. Both Bryan Talbot's The Tale of One Bad Rat (Dark Horse Comics, 1995) and Scott McCloud's Understanding Comics (Kitchen Sink Press, 1993) are great companion titles. Though surely controversial in the eyes of many, Mind Riot is on target for young adults looking for funny, spirited, and honest portrayals of their world. Do not let the unusual format keep you from buying several copies. They will fly off the library shelves.?Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 8-12. Teens who think the Sunday funnies are all there is are in for a surprise when they browse this anthology. The cartoons here are all about them: their identity, their sexuality, their feelings, their friendships, their families. And although this doesn't include some of the comix greats who often focus on teens (Lynda Barry and Robert Crumb, for example), it does showcase a wonderful variety of talented artists, whose differing subject matter, viewpoints, and style of illustration serve as an excellent introduction to the medium and its potential. Hirsch generally steers clear of the raunchy end of the comix spectrum, but she does include comics about sex and sexuality: Peter Kuper's unabashed "Animal Urges," starring a teenage rabbit, is a thinly masked comical commentary on teenage sexual fantasies and physical fumblings. Maurice Vellekoop's "Out at the Movies," which is much less successful than Kuper's great strip, deals with a gay teen's coming out. "With Arthur" is the most poignant selection (though it's probably the one of least relevance to YAs). It focuses on an elderly hospitalized man and his beloved grandson, and it speaks volumes about love, attitudes about growing old and dying, and intergenerational relationships. Thumbnail biographies introduce each artist, and Hirsch had the foresight to include resources for new fans, including a good selection of "comix on the Web." Seen in galley proofs only. This should be a big mover; consider buying more than one. Stephanie Zvirin