Jesse Reklaw

This is my second experience with Jesse Reklaw's work. Keeping Score is far more coherent than LOVF - and understandably so - but comes across with less impact. The recurrent score-keeping of drugs, drinking, and exercise are interesting but eventually seem to be doing more harm than good to him. In fact, much of the book takes on a whinging tone. I found myself less sympathetic as the book went along. The use of guest contributors was a cool aspect of the book. I hope Reklaw continues to improve as he uses this medium as a therapeutic outlet.… (meer)

This is the first graphic novel I have read by Reklaw. The selection came as part of a small project considering graphic novels dealing with mental illness. Reklaw's effort certainly has the feel of "a man literally losing his mind." The artwork is equal parts vivid and bleak. The narrative is fractured. In some cases, Reklaw's artistic ability is clearly apparent. In others, the book feels contrived. The biggest challenge is the feeling that he is just a whiney hipster oblivious to the entitlement that keeps him from being murdered or incarcerated. Submitted by SNW 5/9/24… (meer)

[Originally published on NewPages.com]

This is an intriguing little publication from noted comics artist Jesse Reklaw. While digging through a recycling bin at an Ivy League university one night, he found old files (1965-1975) of biology Ph.D. applicants, including photographs of each candidate. Realizing the grand potential of such a find, Reklaw organized the photos into zine format, complementing them with candid phrases from the applicants’ recommendation forms. So, as you flip through the zine you end up staring at, for example, a black-and-white photo of an earnest young man with the caption below it reading “rather tense,” or a young lady labeled “not as physically attractive as some.” The effect is startling and vaguely disturbing. The combination of the photograph and the often-ruthless summations of these students by their former professors and employers makes you want to simultaneously laugh at and pity them. Highly recommended.
… (meer)