Carlin Biography

COMICS: George Carlin

Written, Lettered & Packaged by Jaymes Reed

Illustrated by Apriyadi Kusbiantoro

cover A by Apriyadi Kusbiantoro

cover B by Soussherpa

cover C by Patricio Carbajal

cover D by Soussherpa

cover E by Soussherpa

Published by BlueWater Productions

COMICS is a new, irregular series of biographical one-shots from BlueWater focusing exclusively on funny men and women, and starting the procession with the late George Carlin is a fine first act. While sizing up anyone's life in 24 pages may seem obviously daunting, and as eventful and tragic as Carlin's life was especially, a strong and surprisingly unbiased effort is made here to recount the more noteworthy themes of the comedian's days and nights.

Written and extremely well researched by self-proclaimed Carlin fan Reed, the reader learns much about the man whose comedic victories and defeats have already inspired countless aesthetic artisans and cultural commentarians. Beginning with his parents' early days in NYC and boldly marching through the decades-long career of comedy albums, books, films, censorship battles, and generally entertaining uncouthness, few grounds are left uncovered. Ably expressed is the fact that, despite the insightful heart of his many observations and the mountains climbed throughout his many years of showbusiness, the man did have more than his share of demons along the way. I have been a big Carlin fan for years, no surprise, but there were a pair of facts in these pages which were new to me. Such should be the aim of a well-intentioned and executed biographer, and Reed here proves himself a natural.

While I am completely unfamiliar with Kusbiantoro's previous work, his work on this book speaks volumes. Handling full art chores, he provides structured layouts populated with images somewhat more dreamlike-than the stark photorealism so drastically overemployed by many comics artists today. Of course, references abound in his portayals, and his likenesses are dead-on, but his color-rendering is what really sold me. An elaborate visual style would be absolutely out of place in a non-fictional biographical work, and Kusbiantoro smartly walks the line between blandness and ego. Very professional, and maybe the prettiest book BlueWater has ever released.

George Carlin was a one of a kind genius, brilliant and energetic. He was also as far from being a perfect human as any of us could be. Jaymes Reed and company have put together an excellent statement on the man's life and work, and should do well to tempt old fans and new into delving further into the incredible body of work left behind by the legend. Look for it now in Diamond's Previews catalogue, as well as among the Amazons. Please do.