There's almost always an ordinary character who, by accident or design, finds himself in extraordinary circumstances that he may or may not survive. Jason's stories tend not to have traditional happy endings, yet I think that his work is very positive. Positive because these characters are becoming active decision makers rather than passive ones, even if the de Only after having read nearly all of Jason's books have I begun to see some of the themes that run, to some degree, through all of them.
Positive because these characters are becoming active decision makers rather than passive ones, even if the decisions they make are bad ones. His message seems to be "do something, even if it's stupid" because it's better than doing nothing at all. And it's not that the decisions themselves are not important- Jason's characters very much suffer the consequences of their bad decisions. But Jason seems to think that there is less evil in that than in being a mindless depressed drone.
The protagonist, by the end of the story, seems to have no regrets about any of the decisions he's made. He faces his fate with a calm and resolute question. We never find out exactly what happens, but it's because that's not the point. Maybe the point is to get us to think about what stories we have to tell about our lives- whether they're bad or good, they're an indication about how we've lived. And Jason seems not to be pointing us in a particular direction; he just wants us to think about it.
The mention of Hemingway's rich life and untimely end was a great way to disarm any potential accusations about preachiness or moralizing in the story- Jason doesn't want to tell his reader how to live his life, he just wants him to be deliberate in the way he is living it.
Why don't I own all of his books? Jun 10, Seth T. The back cover of Why Are You doing This? I suppose that's fair, but only in the most overt sense. On the surface, the graphic novelette is about murder and mistaken identity and a kind of cat-and-mouse between victim and victor.
But that's only on the surface. Alex has just been dumped and is struggling to make sense of life. And he's having a hard time of it. Further compounding troubles, a reluctant-though-innocuous favour for a friend draws him into a world in which his existential troubles become far more literal.
And like the rest of the story, though the book's title is reiterated overtly in the story's dialogue, it too holds layered meaning and, reasonably enough, is emblematic for Jason's thematic trajectory here.
Well worth the time. May 01, Ill D rated it it was amazing Shelves: reviewed , comics , comic-reviews. A real departure from the sparse dialogue and simple slapstick that usually characterizes Jason's deadpan work.
Instead we are greeted with a Noir-esque narrative, Hitchcock style; and a very well put together one at that. A case of mistaken identity and the immediacy of being in the wrong place in the wrong time.
If you didn't enjoy Jason's previous work because you prefer more complex narratives- you will most likely dig this. Very enjoyable read, and highly recommended. Aug 17, Imogen rated it it was amazing. I think, from now on, my professional name under which I'll be publishing all my popular, classy and accomplished work will be: Melissa. I've never read Jason before, even though- obviously- he is very famous and popular. But he is a genius! But then his friend got knifed and I was like, oh!
I didn't expect that. Then a bunch of other things happened and even though I don't really know anything about Alfred H I think, from now on, my professional name under which I'll be publishing all my popular, classy and accomplished work will be: Melissa.
Then a bunch of other things happened and even though I don't really know anything about Alfred Hitchcock , I got the impression that the blurber on the back who compared the plot to a Hitchcock one was correct to do so.
So it was nice that it stayed sad while the plot got twisty, and also that people I didn't expect kept getting killed. Also that they are all animal people. I like that. Oct 27, ? This is true, but throw into the mix Kafka and you may have some idea what this short story comic is about.
An ordinary man framed for a murder and all the while being chased by the very hit man who committed the crime. His existential, morose mumbling amounts to much more when the supposed real world goes off kilter and sends our snout-faced protagonist into a wheel of uncertainty.
While I really enjoyed this one, I still have yet to find the book of Jason's that would qualify him as this genius everyone seems assured he is. To me he's just a clever storyteller, Woody Allen wrote pretty much the same story as this in a play and two movies, and not that long ago, either.
Nevertheless, fans of that type of comedy, of the absurd, and images that aren't overdone but still overtly stylistic, with a general feel of a neo-noir, will appreciate this work. Apr 22, Josh rated it really liked it. The oldest book on my goodreads to-do list crossed off Why do we value the larger than life dinner with friends anecdotes over the quiet life? A very good read. Jan 23, Elizabeth A rated it liked it Shelves: graphix , The jacket copy and the description of this graphic novel give away too much of the plot, so I'd recommend skipping them and just reading the book.
I picked this one up because I loved the cover art. This short story appears to be one thing on the surface, but is really about something else on a deeper level. I cannot say anything more without a spoiler warning, so all I'll say is that this a fun and quick read. Sep 29, Kirk rated it liked it. This story was a little weird though.
The climax near the end just flies out of left field. It moves too fast. It moves at breakneck speed and loses and as a result you have to suspend all disbelief and it hurts the story. View 2 comments. Oct 10, Janina rated it really liked it Shelves: graphic-novels , books. Jason tries his hand on the 'Clear My Name' plot that has been hashed and rehashed to death. Indulge yourself in this book's great, colorful artwork and crisp dialogue. Jason's not really prone to wasting any panels. Some of his anthologies are a bit of a hit-and-miss but his other novellas are always worth reading.
Feb 05, Liam rated it it was amazing Shelves: of-comics. Stop reading anything about the plot, and sit still for a second. This book is short and all blurbs on the back of the book or online give way too much away. As with all good experiences enter blind.
This review will mention no plot content. This is as anti-spoiler as it comes. I have read no others by Jason, but a fair few other graphic novels recently. This is why I see thi Stop reading anything about the plot, and sit still for a second.
This is why I see this graphic novella as exceptional: 1. Concision and coherence There is no extra baggage within the panel, allowing them to be read quickly without ambiguity. This also applies to the speech. Each panel also follows the next with ease, it becomes this 'moving thing'. Pace Some pages span seconds, others minutes, others hours, others years.
That's a lot of modulation for a 48 page book, and this is good, because keeps your attention there hiding any breaks or slow which might let you put the book down before you finish it. The panel transitions between some of the faster-paced moments of this story are so perfect but simple , in that you can take them all in a single sweep of a glance across the page.
I thought I saw the character moving between the panels sometimes and I'm not even crazy. Themes For a small book this keeps a pretty solid central theme, but does so in a way which doesn't seem contrived the plot events don't seem unreasonable, although they are enjoyably unpredictable.
The themes are adult, but understandable and relevant for all, even early teenagers. Accessibility I can almost guarantee anyone will enjoy this book: it is easy, it is fun, it is dark, it is serious—and will almost always be gobbled whole in the same seat. At worst, you'll just see it as something that was like a fun experience: enjoyable, memorable, but too abrupt to be involved with.
That still falls above average in my view. So basically, Order it into your library or better buy it when you want something short, but strong. View 1 comment. Apr 06, Zack! Empire rated it really liked it Shelves: indie-comics. The more and more of Jason's work I read, the more and more I like it. This book is so wonderful. Soon new relationships are forged, dark secrets from the past are revealed, and the real killer comes back into the picture Why do people fall in love, chase each other, kill each other?
Because this is a story, and stories need to be interesting. This work solidifies Jason's reputation as one of the medium's finest storytellers. This specific ISBN edition is currently not available. View all copies of this ISBN edition:. Synopsis : Depressed over a breakup with his long-time girlfriend, a young man is drawn into a terrifying nightmare when his best friend is found murdered, becomes the prime suspect in the crime, and launches his own investigation to clear his name.
Buy New Learn more about this copy. About AbeBooks. Customers who bought this item also bought. Stock Image. Published by Fantagraphics Books
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