AutobioGraphix

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Books
Genre:	Comics & Graphic Novels
Author:	various artists, Diana Schutz (ed.)

Really, I've been eyeing this book a long long time ago. Picking it up the shelf, flipping the pages several times. What attracted me first is, of course, the simple sketchy drawings at the covers (by Will Eisner) - then the format (A5) and of course the contents. The title already said it all: it's a compilation of autobiographical strips by professional artists. All images came in black and white, which only nudge my weakness (I so love B&W images), so I finally gave in and ended up buying this book. And I don't regret it at all!

A number of artists contributed their bits of life in this book, some are stronger than the rest. Some pages are short but really powerful (Frank Miller's pages at the beginning of the book are indeed a perfect start!), some pages are longer, telling a lighter experience in life (Stan Sakai's travel diary, for example). Some pages look simple but intrigue deep thoughts (Will Eisner is undoubtedly the master of this game), while some pages basically telling life's lesson in a pleasant way (a playful look at life by Linda Medley, the only female contributor), or in an ironic way (a life and death question by Paul Chadwick).
The line up of artists here are really precious. I would recommend this book for anyone who would like to see a personal touch of great artists, told in their own words and drawings.

Table of Contents:
Man With Pen in Head - Frank Miller (wr, ill & ltr)
The Time I Met Richard Nixon - Sergio Aragonés (wr & ill), Stan Sakai (ltr)
The Day I Became a Profesional - Will Eisner (wr, ill & ltr)
Rules to Live By - Jason Lutes (wr, ill & ltr)
The Building That Didn't Explode - Paul Chadwick (wr & ill), Dan Jackson (ltr)
Eyes! - William Stout (wr, ill & ltr)
My Life as a Bat - Bill Morrison (wr, ill & ltr)
Recess! - L inda Medley (wr, ill & ltr)
Tuesday Night at the Jazz Club - Diana Schutz (wr), Arnold Pander (ill), Sean Konot (ltr)
Comic Book Chef - Matt Wagner (wr & ill), Dan Jackson (ltr)
I Have Lost My Sense of Humour - Eddie Campbell (wr, ill & ltr)
Qu'est-ce Que C'est? - Fábio Moon & Gabriel Bá (wr, ill & ltr)
France - Stan Sakai (wr, ill & ltr)
A Traveller's Tale: .. - Metaphrog (wr, ill & ltr)
The Tree - Richard Doutt (wr), Farel Dalrymple (ill & ltr)
Of This Much We Are Certain - Paul Hornschemeier (wr, ill & ltr)


AutobioGraphix
Diana Schutz (ed.)
(C)Dark Horse, 2003
ISBN# 1-59307-038-1