I had all of Harveys comic books up until 1980. When I came back from Navy boot camp I looked all over the house for them. I couldnt find them, however, and came to find out my mom threw them away! It was a huge disappointment because anyone that has read his accounts can identify with the material. I forgot about American Splendor until a few years ago...when I came across a copy of the anthology at a book store here in Cleveland. I bought it and found the other anthology and Our Cancer Year at Amazon. Bought both issues without a thought. You can take solace in the fact that "you arent the only one" going through these things. It is very cathartic. Sometimes Im glad I dont have Harveys problems and other times I would trade mine for his. A friend of mine, knowing my conservative views, was surprised to find my interest in American Splendor. "Sure", I told him, "Harvey is on the left and Im on the right politically, but lifes problems arent political. Hey, when you get to thinking about it a broken down car or lost glasses afflict us all." I would recommend this book to everyone because we are all in the same boat...some just sink faster.
Its one of the marks of a genius that he can see whats extraordinary in the ordinary. Thats Harvey Pekars gift. While he may seem mordbid or depressing to some, the way he renders the little moments in life is truly inspiring. I would recommend this book to anyone who says "drama is not the stuff of ordinary life." Wrong! It just takes the right eye to see it. Pekar also reminds me of Charles Bukowski (Post Office) and Richard Perez (The Losers Club). I recommend American Splendor: The Life and Times of Harvey Pekar -- highly!
"Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff". After seeing the trailer of the movie adaptation of American Splendor I knew that I had to see it. Although I havent been able to see the film just yet, I did get a chance to purchase the book in my college bookstore! Harvey has a way of writing his comics to give you the REAL way of looking at the world in which we live in. Having had a friendship with Robert Crumb makes Harvey Pekars work right up to par with Crumb. I think that Harvey Pekar is one of the best comic book writers out there, although under-rated, but I think that hes been able to come through for the fans and I cant wait to see the movie! This is our world, this is life, this is American Splendor :) .
