The Virgin Read: Sleeping With The King

Each week, the non-comics reading Nina Stone picks out one random comic book based off her own made up criteria, reads it, and then writes about that experience. While she's been doing these columns for awhile, she's only successfully managed to enjoy, remember, and keep up with one series. This week, she picked King City # 2.

King City # 2
By Brandon Graham
Published by Image Comics

Hello, again. This week flew by. It's all a blur. While gathering my thoughts about this entry I was struggling to remember why I chose this particular comic. And then I remembered--I chose it out of pure exhaustion. It's not a statement about the comic, I swear. I'd been up all night due to a mixture of Claritin-D, stuff on my mind, and the goddamned Latin Lounge across the street from my apartment which seems to think the neighborhood rules don't apply to it. Yelling at each other to speak, at 4:30 am, is a usual occurrence outside my apartment and hinders my ability to get a solid-8.

So when I walked into the comic book store at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, I was totally cashed. I could barely form words. King City seemed to stand out amongst the other new comics. And that meant my choice was quick and I could go home. And I did. (And I slept ten hours, hallelujah.)

What ironic is that just the week before, the salesman tried to tempt me with some black and white comic and I said, "no, I don't read those. Black and white makes me fall asleep." (Sleep seems to be an underlying theme with me, huh?) And yet here I am, with King City. Oh, and Achewood's black and white. Maybe I should reassess the things I say to the people at the comic shop.

If you've read King City # 2, you probably know that it's not very linear, and that not much actually happens. But it was certainly entertaining, and it went down smooth and easy. The most notable thing about this comic is that it has "moments." Here are some of my favorites:

1. The very idea that Pete's door has a water lock.

2. That Pete wears a full ski mask hat thing drawn similarly to Dumb Donald from Fat Albert. 

3. The way that Joe sees an old photo and at first we see him and Joe, and then we see the girl - and clearly get that there's a history.

4. The sign on the Do Not Enter doors that says, "Violators will be violated!" (And, "Beat it Horse Lips!")

5. There's a Mermaid. Need I say more? (Yes. Here's more.)

6.  The intro page to Chapter 7 begins with our friends reflection in the water of a toilet bowl, followed by the same toilet bowl without reflection, but with a stream of piss. 

7.  On the chainsaw gun things, there are various plays on famous cosmetic and beauty names: Elizabeth Hard On, Vandal Sasoon and Estee Murder.

8. The depiction of a guy's amputated leg is clear, yet shown in a fashion that keeps from drawing attention to it. Just confirmation of the fact when he straps on his prosthetic leg. Smart!

9. The line, "It's like a minefield of girl products in here. I'll trip and end up with my hair in curlers." So cute.

10.  The Marmoset. That she has one. And then that she holds it up and says, "Marmoset there'd be days like these." (I love a good pun! I'm the only one in the entire state, but I'm the one!)

And just like that, I'm in love with that couple and want to know what happens next.  

All in all, like I said, not much happened. But for me it was like getting a nice introduction to everyone in a completely delightful way. All the little extra, entertaining details make this comic stand out from all others. It could just tell the story it wants to tell, or it can decorate the scenery. This is a comic book that enjoys being a comic book. And I totally enjoyed it.

-Nina Stone, 2009

Comments

[david brothers]

"Marmoset there'd be days like this" was great, I agree.

Brandon Graham's girlfriend, Marian Churchland, wrote and drew a book called Beast that should be out any week now. It's not like King City, but it's a very good kinda melancholy tale, like Beauty & the Beast turned sideways.

Very talented couple. Both are Purchase on Sight for me.

[LurkerWithout]

Graham has a comic that doesn't involve large, phallic objects (some of which are actual phalluses) getting shoved up butts?'

Inteeeeeresting...

[Matthew J. Brady]

A comic book that enjoys being a comic book. Fuck yeah, that's what I like. Comics! They're awesome!

Also, I think we could come up with plenty of black and white comics that you've enjoyed, like Nana or Jobnik or PS Comics (I think that one's B&W, right?). Don't be a hater!