So Buttons #14. w. Jonathan Baylis. various artists. Alchemy Comics. 36pp. $10.
Jonathan Baylis and his anthology So Buttons, comics by a variety of top tier cartoonists based upon Baylis’s life stories and observations (a la Harvey Pekar), has been around for more than a minute, more like over a decade. Folks in the comics industry might even take it a little for granted as they just assume it will always be around. Well, such a comic book is a very special thing. I reviewed the previous issue, Lucky #13, you can read my review here). And I thought I’d say a few words about the most recent, the current #14. Well, it has the Harvey Pekar vibe nailed down just fine, as usual–and that’s a good thing, certainly not something to take for granted at all.
Look at it this say, for those still dipping their toes into indie comics, Baylis provides an essential service. Those still just starting out, figuring it all out, can turn to a comic book like this and it’s like being invited backstage, or to an after party hootenanny. Your ticket, you lucky bastard, to get to hang out with some of the coolest cartoonists just shooting the shit and having fun. That’s the very best way to approach this collection. I’ll go over a couple of examples from a couple of my favorite cartoonists.
Alright, example Numero Uno, is words by Baylis and artwork by none other than Brian “Box” Brown. I never found out why Brian has “Box” for a nickname. I’m sure there’s a story there. He might have even told me once but I don’t think so. By the way, Brown is one of the great explainers via comics. I’m a big fan of his work, like his take on cannabis. I’m a big supporter of cannabis and so it was a total flat out honor to review and interview Brown on his book, CANNABIS: The Illegalization of Weed in America. Anyway, the whole spirit of these comics stories is that they are highly anecdotal: one part ephemeral; one part very personal. Gently mix for best results. I suppose it’s basically one of the stories you might save to share with a group of friends at a bar, that sort of thing. A little gem you keep in your pocket for just the right moment. In this case, Baylis wishes to put into perspective his love for The Howard Stern Show and, in the process, share a bit about his life’s journey. I believe it all adds up with great authenticity: a neat combination of writer and artist. I mean, it really feels very conversational and something you won’t find just anywhere. You had to be there, in that bar, hanging out. In the room when it happened.
Another fine example: and this one is more of a set-up to get something off one’s chest, that’s the motivation here, I think. Words by Baylis and artwork by the lovely Sophia Glock, who happens to be one of the very first cartoonists that I reviewed early on in my career as a comics reviewer. It was, I believe, Sophia’s very first mini-comic, The Deformitory. And, it was a great treat to review Glock’s Passport, an amazing coming-of-age graphic novel. In this vignette, Baylis wants to explain why he was so late to the party in reading the work of The Hernandez Brothers, specifically Love and Rockets. Well, is there an explanation for such an egregious error? Ha! I kid. You know, we are only human and we don’t really need to explain ourselves, now do we? One explanation forces yet another explanation ad infinitum, risking cancellation, tar and feathering and total and utter banishment. Of course, if you really want to explain yourself, then, by all means, do so! Baylis wants to: he begins to imply that he wasn’t all that clear on why Los Bros have been granted such a lofty place within the indie comics ecosystem. This triggers an argument by Glock on behalf of such an esteemed status. In the end, Baylis is, more or less, convinced; leaning more towards unconvinced. Again, another one of those moments that you can be grateful was caught and preserved within these pages.
By all means, seek out this gift to the comics community and anyone hankering for a good yarn. I believe Baylis, and company, are all just getting their second wind and there’s much more ahead. In fact, I look forward to what Baylis continues to do with this unique platform. The price of admission is reasonable and you never know who might show up to the party.
