Graphic Novel Review: Paying For It (May 2011)

 Paying For It 

(A Comic-Strip Memoir About Being a John)

Written and Illustrated by Chester Brown

 Published by Drawn and Quarterly

Few autobiographical novels have made an impact on me mainly because of their boring stories full of self-justification. But Chester Brown's autobiographical novel "Paying For It" is one of those many exceptions.

His intelligent, excuse-free, brutally honest, and thought-provoking defense on the subject of "prostitution" as a viable replacement for romantic love - which he describes as "possessive monogamy" - is certainly going to raise some eyebrows, but at the same time, will make others do a double-take on the very subject of "paid sex" and the people who engage in such arrangements, and maybe, even persuade them to agree with his writing genius.

Brown long-time partner Sook-Yin breaks up with his him in the summer of 1996 (and thus making Sook-Yin, his last gf), and within 3 years of not having a girlfriend, he develops a kind of cynicism towards "romantic love", believing that it only makes life complicated and will eventually make people miserable in the end. He then mulls over the idea of hiring a prostitute and after mustering all the courage he needed, he then goes on to have paid sex with for the very first time.

As years went by, Brown continued to have paid sex with multiple prostitutes - completely shunning the prospect of having another girlfriend  - until by the end of the book he finds one sex-worker who agrees to have a monogamous - but still paid - sexual relationship with him.

Like I mentioned on the first few paragraphs, the novel was intended to be a defense towards the profession of prostitution and the women who work secretly under this type of job. In many ways Brown succeeds in providing very reasonable explanations that backs up his theories - theories that I'm sure would sound offending to some. He even goes as far as saying  that prostitution is just one of the many forms of dating and that "paid sex" is just as MORAL as "unpaid casual sex". 
 

Though those controversial statements indeed makes cash, I think the true appeal of this book lies on how honest and transparent Brown wanted this to be, and really, this has to be one of the most personal works that I have ever read in any medium.

Nothing is sugarcoated, and Brown isn't afraid to portray himself in a very bad light. Even his art (that shows none of the prostitute's faces) - which is simple, non-erotic, stark black and white emotionless, but still visually appealing - definitely shows his daredevil approach to this project.

I could understand Brown's decision to block all the faces of the women he had sex with, maybe out of respect for those people and their identities, so that wasn't a real big turn off for me, though it wouldn't hurt if Brown included them just to make the whole experience a little bit more lively.

All things considered, "Paying For It" is a graphic novel worth reading whether you are FOR or AGAINST the concept of "paying-for-sex". Truth is, it doesn't really matter where you stand, because the only thing that matters is how you - the reader - interprets Brown' [sex]periences and all of his arguments.

A fair warning here: one might be surprised on how powerfully persuasive this book is, because even the narrow-minded ones for sure wouldn't be able to resist weighing all of Chester Brown's statements after flipping the last pages.

Rating:

"Paying For It" is now available onsale at Amazon.com or at your nearest comic book shop.


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Comic Book Review: Mouse Guard

Mouse Guard

Written and Illustrated by David Petersen

Published by Archaia Studios Press

An independent comic book about intelligent swashbuckling mice living the medieval era just like real knights if they were human beings. They have they own small mice kingdoms, own towns, cities, and other what nots just like us, only that in their story - there are no human beings. Just mice and other predators that we see in shows like National Geographic and the Discovery Channel.

At first I'm like: Are you fucking kidding me? Yeah because it sounded like a children's story to me, but heck I gave it a try. 

Read Mouse Guard Fall of 1152 (which is the collection of the comic's first 6 issues) in only 30 minutes and damn I was hooked with this amazing story and detailed world of writer/artist David Petersen that focuses on the adventures of the  Mouse Guard - protector of the innocent and lowly mice and valiant defenders of Lockhaven (home of the Guard) - and their struggle to figure out and stop a sinister plot that hopes to bring down their whole kingdom and destroy the legendary Mouse Guards once and for all. Right after that is Mouse Guard Winter of 1152 which is basically the sequel of the first 6 issues and deals with the fallout of the events in the Fall.

Packed with a lot of action and great characterization, Mouse Guard treats the reader to a whole new universe filled with exciting twists and plot turns every page. In fact, Petersen goes right to the thick of the story right away and doesn't waste any time on putting his cute mice characters into some great swordfights. His pacing is fast, but he is able to maintain his character and story build-up as well which makes for a very cool read. Every mice is distinguishable in their own right, with Petersen giving them their own set of qualities so the reader would be able to relate to each of them in one way or another.

Great life lessons on things such as trust, betrayal, friendship, camarederie, integrity, dignity and honor -   can be seen as well within the stories of our little mice as they tread and journey through the dangers of hostile environments and of course, paths of the occassional predators like weasels, snakes, owls and many more. Imagine that. Mice teaching us lessons needed in our lives. Amazing.

The art is something to enjoy too, as Petersen puts all his imaginative worlds and story pieces to life with awesome pencil work and vivid colors that reeks of pure epic awesomeness/cuteness. And you can't go wrong with such beautiful art: you look at it and when its good - you go ahead and freaking read it. 

They might be tiny... but they are brave and DEADLY.

This is one bad-ass comic book series I tell you. Mice might be the main guys here, but they aren't trying to be cute. They can cut and pierce some flesh if necessary and its fucking awesome. Mouse Guard is something that a comic book fan should try reading if they're looking for a non-superhero themed book. Yep, not published by Marvel, DC or any of the top companies in the industry - but totally bad-ass. Even better than some of your monthly superhero titles!

Still not convinced? How about a planned film adaptation,  a role-playing game based on the same comic book that won a Best Role-Playing-Game award, more prequel stories to come, and to top it all off, two Eisner awards for Best Graphic Album and Best Publication for Kids.?

And its a nice read for the little kids too. That gives you more reasons to check this one out.