AMERICAN SPLENDOR: PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR IN HIS DECLINING YEARS

Pekar and crew relate Harvey's musings on his life, as always, with an emphasis on issues relating to aging, maturity, and parenthood

By Mike Whybark     October 25, 2001

Harvey's bitter and amusing cynical voice is moderated in this issue as he reflects on the responsibilities of parenthood and the changed perspective of life as a cancer survivor. For the six or seven of you who aren't familiar with Pekar's work, he began publishing first-person comix and educational pieces about musicians he admires over 25 years ago, and has been an inspiration and mentor to nearly every indy comix artist since that time. He uses a variety of artists in each issue of AMERICAN SPLENDOR, and the effect is unique and usually satisfying.

As expected, a wide range of artists and styles are on display; the most visually distinctive work here is that of Frank Stack, who provides the imagery for a tale concerning the relationship between Harvey and his foster daughter, a preadolescent from a troubled background. Stack's open, vibratingly expressive linework grounds the story in an emotional tension that reminds me of the many discomforts of adolescence - the world feels as if it's constantly falling apart, and that which is beyond your control distorts the very appearances of those around you.

The effect is appropriate to the narrative, which largely concerns Harvey and his wife Joyce's decision to bring a child into their lives. Ever the iconoclast, Harvey had a vasectomy a long time back, and so they determined to act as foster parents for a little girl a few years ago. She was twelve when the story was written, and given that Pekar is an intellectual who writes jazz criticism and introspective personal comix, you can guess that she is interested in stuff he hates. Despite this, the story has an upbeat "boy am I glad to be a parent" tone which directly contradicts the nervous quality of the art. It bears thought.

Other standouts in the book include the full-color back page of vignettes concerning the Cleveland public market, drawn by Gary Dumm; and the three music-related works in the book. There's a bio each of jazzman Sidney Bechet (pix by the ever-lovin' Joe Sacco) and Creole fiddler Dennis McGee, as well as a critical look at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (both visualized by Dumm) which hit home for me, having leveled similar criticisms at my hometown Experience Music Project over beers with buddies. Unsurprisingly, Harvey's take on his hometown's museum is more bitter than mine; he gives the museum and staff no credit at all, and the story is amusing to read due to his uncompromising stance.

All in all, it's always a pleasure to catch up with Pekar, and this issue (attention fanboys: it's a "Special 25-Year Anniversary Issue": get three! One to read, one to bag and keep, and one for eBay next year!) is no exception. The mellower narrative voice of post-cancer Harvey is an interesting shift but it does not mean the work is lower in quality or interest. On the other hand, if Pekar has always put you to sleep, you'll be snoozing peacefully in minutes.

AMERICAN SPLENDOR: PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR IN HIS DECLINING YEARS

Grade: B

Issue: No. 1

Author(s): Harvey Pekar, Dean Haspiel, Gary Dumm, Joe Sacco, Gary Dumm, David Collier, Frank Stack, Josh Neufeld

Publisher: Maverick/Dark Horse Comics

Price: $3.99