norrin2's review
3.0
I've read a lot of Harvey Pekar's "American Splendor" but I was reluctant to pick up this volume - probably because it's illustrated by my least favorite Splendor artist Frank Stack. Yes, I know he's a great artist, an underground comics legend, but his dark scratchy style is an acquired taste I never acquired. This is the first one I've read that was co-written by Pekar's wife Joyce Brabner and I appreciated her input. I also appreciated not having to spend the whole book in Harvey's head. Harvey does not face cancer with grace, courage and humor. He faces it the way most of us would - with anger, self - pity and lots of whining. If you're looking for inspiration, look elsewhere. If you're looking for honesty, however you've come to the right place.
brittmariasbooks's review
3.0
Our Cancer Year is an autobiographical graphic novel about Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner. The book is about the year that Harvey got cancer. It shows the difficult and heartfelt moments of the year. I liked non-fiction graphic novels because they convey emotion in me easier. The art is okay.
theartolater's review
3.0
I loved it, but it made things clear regarding what I often dislike about graphic novels - not that they're books with pictures, but rather movies without motion or sound. If they're well-done, it doesn't make a difference, but it's always kind of jarring. Our Cancer Year was jarring in that respect - it hit me like a good book or movie, but it also kept drawing me away because of the style, which works for lots of people.
totally_different_head's review
5.0
Probably Pekars masterpiece. Totally moving - anyone whose seen a family member or friend suffer or survive cancer or any other terminal illness will relate. Frank Stacks art is so messy and expressionistic and makes its personal stamp to the American Splendor world.
cjordahl's review
2.0
Could have been worth three stars but it disappointed me so much I can't give it more than two. I've read a few American Splendor collections and this felt like an amateurish attempt to mimic those books. The worst part is the art. It's poorly composed, unattractive, sketchy, and capriciously inconsistent in every way: line weights and styles, shading techniques, page layouts, amount of detail. And there are a few spots, very few, where the artist busts out the Ben Day dots and lines I guess because he was sick of hatching by hand? Who knows?? The inconsistency extends to the lettering... letter sizes, line spacing, balloon shapes.
And no, it wasn't intentional, or not obviously so. When they have a narrative purpose style variations can be awesome! In this book it just looks like it's from a lack of care or shortness of time.
The writing was also a disappointment. I like Pekar's voice in his comics, often curmudgeonly, but also witty and sharply observant. This book doesn't have much of his voice, though, and it's not as engaging. Too often the narration gets lazy, it "tells" instead of "shows".
The art and writing together conspire to create a lot of confusing scene transitions and moments where it's unclear which character is talking.
Despite all the problems there are some good moments and the cancer arc is affecting. The house arc is ok, then it's abandoned. The arc with Joyce's international teenage friends needs editing, shaping, sharpening.
And no, it wasn't intentional, or not obviously so. When they have a narrative purpose style variations can be awesome! In this book it just looks like it's from a lack of care or shortness of time.
The writing was also a disappointment. I like Pekar's voice in his comics, often curmudgeonly, but also witty and sharply observant. This book doesn't have much of his voice, though, and it's not as engaging. Too often the narration gets lazy, it "tells" instead of "shows".
The art and writing together conspire to create a lot of confusing scene transitions and moments where it's unclear which character is talking.
Despite all the problems there are some good moments and the cancer arc is affecting. The house arc is ok, then it's abandoned. The arc with Joyce's international teenage friends needs editing, shaping, sharpening.
mgerboc's review
5.0
I loved this, and I don't profess to know anything about comics or graphic novels. But Harvey Pekar's voice, along with that of his wife, Joyce Brabner, is so human, for good reasons and bad, and so sincere, that you can't help but love them.
janetlun's review
Bought this from Joyce Brabner herself at PIX 2015 (Pittsburgh Indy Comix Expo). It's powerful -- very well done.
More...