I recently received my copy of the
Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat graphic novel by Andrez Bergen (words) and Andrez and Cocoa Bergen (images) in the post, which sent me into spasms of pure joy. After reading through, I have to report that Andrez still has it ('it' being sheer talent, natch), and he has it in spades. Funded through Kickstarter, and published by the cool cats over at IF? Commix, this is a graphic adaptation of the first 90 or so pages from Andrez's novel of the same name, although it does have some extra included for all you new readers.That's right, all of you who loved the novel; Andrez has a bit of a surprise included in the new release. So don't go in thinking this is a only a blow by blow adaptation (which would be extremely awesome, in of itself), just sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself. You might be surprised by what is shown to you. Regardless, the story is still the one you know and love... and if you haven't read the novel, here's your chance to jump on board. I was absolutely blown away by this graphic adaptation, and you will be as well. I'm formally calling for a sequel, right here on this page. I NEED to KNOW what happens NEXT... I'm sure that after you read this release, you'll feel the same.
TSMG is set within the last city on Earth (in this case, Melbourne, Australia), after the rest of the world has been wiped out by a global catastrophe. The hoi polloi have been saved by Hylax Industries, and especially, by it's founder Wolram Deaps. Of course, the word 'saved' can be a bit open to interpretation, sometimes. Saved, but wrapped in propaganda and the chains of control; saved, but ruled over by the whim of a fascist dictator. Saved, but forced into a rigid class system, in which people have almost no chance of bettering themselves (unless the warden finds you of use). Finally, saved, but any free-thinker, any dissident with a word to say against the status quo, is hunted down and murdered, or forcibly sequestered in hospitals, and doomed to pass from view. This is what 'saved' means, in this future world. Saved means being used, and wrapped in more and more levels of control, just in case you're needed. Until you're not (which is an event that is always held over your head), and then you're discarded like any other disposable product, tossed down the garbage chute. Quite a cheerful (and, in some ways, familiar) situation, yes?
Floyd Maquina strides (okay, frequently stumbles) through this world, and he's not a man that is built along the heroic archetype; he's an everyday type of guy, that has had a great amount of tragedy pass through his life. First case in point, he wasn't able to save his wife, Veronica, from being sent to the camps (Coff! Coff! Sorry... I mean the 'hospitals'...) after she became sick. The two of them tried to hide things as best they could, but they were eventually betrayed (when you find out about the person behind this betrayal, you get to experience the meaning of REVELATION, and PLOT TWIST), and she was carted off to the camps (sorry, once again, I mean hospitals). Floyd isn't a bad guy, he's just been ground down by the wheel of fate, driven to the point that liquor and other illicit substances are all that keep him going. After his wife is hospitalized, Floyd is approached by government agents about the level of 'care' that she will receive. Since all options are extremely expensive, he is forced to join the ultra-secret, government run Seeker Branch to pay for her medical bills.
You see, Floyd was a P.I. in his former life which has made him a useful commodity, as far as Seeker Branch is concerned. The agency is tasked with hunting down the Deviant 'menace', and bringing them back to interment, or out and out terminating them. Floyd's one of the few who refuses to use the latter option (except, possibly, once), but he's definitely in the minority. The Branch uses VR tests to keep their agents in line, and if you fail, for whatever reason... you'll be the next one labeled Deviant, and carted off to the 'hospitals'. His wife's condition is always held over his head, so he isn't quitting Seeker Branch anytime soon, unless he ends up dead...which is a good possibility in his line of work, and might actually be a bit of a relief to Floyd A human being can only take so much... Until then, at least he has met a fellow soul to share his rather complicated, crooked path, his trials and travails... Laurel Canyon, also employed by Seeker Branch, who is also carrying around quite a bit of tragic history herself. Another human being that has been ground down by the vagaries of existence that this life has inflicted on them. For the nonce, they manage to find some solace in each other's company. In a world such as this, can even this small gift remain untouched?
Andrez is constantly honing both his writing, and his striking style of art. I loved the original
Tobacco-Stained Mountain Goat, but seeing it in graphic form is a revelation. I have longed to see this story adapted as a graphic novel, and had quite a mental list of artists that I thought would do the story justice. As it turns out, the perfect artist for the job happens to be Andrez himself. The art is a direct slap to the head, which manages to wake you up, and gets you paying attention to the events taking place. Moody, sometimes muted and dark, they require your full attention to decipher the full meaning of the story being told. Striking and always beautiful, yet sometimes heartbreaking (when you see, vicariously, where everything turned to shite), the art plunges ahead, carrying the reader along. It flows seamlessly from moment to moment, tragedy to tragedy. In other words, a day in Floyd Maquina's life, and the window into the existence of the vast majority of the masses in this future city. Cocoa Bergen's artistic contributions are particularly poignant, and add that bit of nuance that allows the story to really wound you. If you haven't realized it yet, the artwork is highly recommended.
Let's get down to the story. The novel is an absolute favorite of mine. The graphic adaptation takes the original prose story to another level, a level where the characters actually jump off the page, and begin to stomp all over your psyche. Andrez has spent a good amount of time immersed in classic noir, detective, and dystopian science fiction releases (as I have, for that matter), and this is his love note to the genres. I want to be perfectly clear, this is not a 'laugh out loud, outrageous fun' type of release. It's more of a 'you have to read this, it's doing something that's not out there' type of story. It has a great amount of tragedy contained within, and things can become a bit bleak. The characters keep at it though, because such is their life. They all have hidden depths, that take their time coming to light. Novel and graphic novel, they are both highly recommended reading. Andrez's writing is unique, both in it's approach and it's execution, and I find myself enthralled with his work. Read some of his stories, and you'll find yourself feeling the same way...
Here's the author's blog. I'm sure Andrez would appreciate you dropping by, and saying hello!
Here's his Amazon page. Finally, here's the publisher's page, where you can get your hands on all kinds of good stories. Before going, I'd like to share this with you... Even though the characters of this novel/graphic novel exist in a shell of a burnt-out world, don't despair... You can always find a doorway into a new existence (in this fictional world, at least), if you look hard enough. Look hard, don't miss it, the portal might be just around the corner... With that cryptic note, I'll bid you adieu! Until next time, happy reading!!!
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