| Title | : | Big, Big Changes (As You Were #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 112 |
| Publication | : | First published April 15, 2014 |
For the uninitiated, the series features original new contributions from our very favorite independent comic book creators who happen to come from punk scenes all over the world.
The third issue’s theme is “Big, Big Changes” allowing for a tremendous variety of content from the 28 contributors filling out its 112 pages, so many this issue has a spine.
Curated by Mitch Clem (Nothing Nice to Say, My Stupid Life), issue three features cover art by Lauren Denitzio (The Measure, Worriers) and original brand new contributions from 27 more of our heroes:
Adrian Chi (Razorcake, Bite The Cactus), Aimee Pijpers, Andra Passen, Andy Warner (Slate, PBS), Ashley Rowe Palafox (Barefoot and in the Kitchen), Ben Sears, Ben Snakepit (Microcosm, Razorcake), Bill Pinkel, Brian Connoly (Nothing Mattress, Maximumrocknroll), Cathy G. Johnson, Emilja Frances (Ship Of Fools), Evan Wolff (Vacation, Tight Bros), Jason Oberbichler, Jed Collins (Vice), Jim Kettner, Lauren Monger (Terrible Terrible Terrible), Liz Prince (Top Shelf Productions), Liz Suburbia (Sacred Heart), Marcos Siref, Mel (Cake & Comix), Meg, Mike Funk, Mitch Clem (Nothing Nice to Say/Dark Horse, My Stupid Life) and Nation of Amanda, Rick V (Tour Sucks/Plan-It-X), Rob Cureton (Scene City, Orful Comics), Sarah Graley, and Steve Larder.
Big, Big Changes (As You Were #3) Reviews
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"This is SILVER 052"
(WARNING: This is "white-collar punk" college kid type stuff. The editor is an actual banker. It seems, to me, like REAL punks would read this and yawn after they gas-station gun sprayed it then threw it, with a match, into the window of a passing Prius.)
Fresh/Soph & Junior Varsity squads assembled into a book of blah.blah..blah...whine.whine..whine... "I'm so PUNK (but also a total dweeb)!" There are even a few horror-show looking intramural disasters within.
I ONLY recommend this to brethren- as a complete book it's not interesting at all if you're not in the club. There are a few cool acts but hardly worth reading the whole thing.
Some noob named ->Andra Passen<- used her sterile protractor to draw herself as Popeye with the sailor uniform, the pipe and some spinach but WITHOUT the Pop-eye. Proving the editor ->Mitch Clem*<- isn't worth his (sea)salt either.
Me being an ass:
This was 2014 so in 2024 I picture half of these contributors in suburban electric car mode being the annoying one in their group of friends, a quarter being barely solvent activists of whatnot, a few following bands for a living, one or two being known published cartoonists and the rest in hovels down by the river.
(note: Their stories make them seem like they all grew up in "regular"->upscale families. Nobody seemed to grow up poor or even close to it.)
I had the most fun harshly judging the guy who was in college til he was 35 who, upon graduation, went out of his two year (masters of fine arts degree) "punk retirement". Good luck pal- the real world is going to hurt!
*Must name a child "Cleatus"- especially if the middle initial is "N". -
My favorites: Lauren Monger, Ben Snakepit, Jason Oberbichler, Jim Kettner
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One of the worst aspects of comic books today (besides superhero comicdom in general) is the complete cooption of this outcast medium into the mainstream. Comic books mean big money for Hollywood and they have come to be more accepted and respected in our culture even though we call them "graphic novels" as if the words "comic book" are an embarrassment. But with a newfound popularity comes also a sense of ubiquity: everyone seems to be doing comics nowadays, and that's good for any medium.
It's this environment that As You Were finds itself in, so unfortunately the cards are already stacked against it: is it going to be another example of how punks can bring something unique to a medium or is it just another novelty of "hey, punks can do this too, right?." Curating the lot is Mitch Clem, who is the grandpappy (even though he's in his 30s) of punk comics, and I can't think of a better person for the job.
As You Were volume 3 has a fair share of contributions from punks and most of the time reads like a zine, which means that a lot of As You Were is hit or miss. There are some great contributions that truly impress in their artwork, story and content (like Steve Larder, Jim Kettner, and Jason Oberbichler), some that are simply fun and entertaining (Rick V., Liz Suburbia), and some that just plainly leave one wondering, "why am I reading this?" (Andra Passen, Mel, Meg, and Ashley Rowe Palafox).
It's only the third issue of As You Were and it's still anyone's guess whether the series will grow and flourish and stand on its own two legs or be forgotten as a footnote of something that was only allowed to exist because of the times. Whatever the case may be, Mitch Clem has put together a collection of comics that satisfy, and I for one, am now curious enough to keep on reading. -
As with the first two, there's plenty to love here as most of the contributors take the theme seriously and provide personal comics with heart, humor, and good art. Even non-punks who enjoy comics about real people will like these, so what are you waiting for?
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Lots of good stuff in here, but the Jason Oberbichler comic was fantastic and really powerful (in a tear your heart in two, sort of way).
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mitch clem's story is hilarious and so very true to life.
