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The Horrible Truth About Comics features Magic Boy the elf, alter ego of James Kochalka. To the naked eye this book appears a harmless, easy read when in actual fact James Kochalka has presented us with a considered analysis of comics, and specifically their artistic merit. The "truth" is, to a large extent, left for us to conclude following Kochalka's answers to a few deceivingly simple questions. The facts are presented and his point takes form as the theories are digested.

Art, Kochalka tell us, is a tool used to understand the complexities of the world. As children we are all artists simplifying the world through imagination and play, the simplest process of recreating and thus understanding the world. It is reasonable to conclude that as art becomes more than accidental mark making, we and the artists themselves gain a greater insight into their world. So if this is art, what are comics? Kochalka believes comics provide experience for the brain. Through patterns and rhythms, comic creators open doors into other worlds. The horrible truth stems from the answer to the final question, for if we know what art is and we know what comics are, what is art not? It's not, we're told, about expressing ideas, so where does that leave comics as an industry? When a thought already held is demonstrated through pictures this is illustration and essentially worthless for it is not the thought but a duplication and frighteningly,

"Doomed to fail"

There is much to digest in this comic yet it is presented to us in an appealing package of pleasing pictures. We see Magic Boy apparently suffering lack off sleep through concerns of comic books while presumably in a state of r.e.m. as he explores the landscapes around him. Dreams are in many ways a playground for the brain and like art a place of revelations.

Having scared many of us with his interpretation of comics his final thoughts are encouraging. We are made aware of the trappings of creating a comic and with these in mind encouraged not to hesitate for another second. Forget artistic skill for this will develop. Begin your education today.

These are the thoughts of James Kochalka as I interpret them. He makes his point well and if all comic books had similar ideals the market would make for a greater source of excitement. However there is an abundance of comics written and illustrated for the purpose of entertainment or even education and while these may be novels, (the idea) with unessesary pictures (secondary) if these can expose an idea to an otherwise ignorant cross-section of the population it must hold some value.

The Horrible Truth About Comics will make you think. Study Kochalka's thoughts on the subject and consider their validity to your perception of comics. Regardless of your conclusion, his obvious passion is admirable.

Reviewer: Andrew Morrison
March 1999

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Alternative Comics

Publisher's site - site for the publishers of this and other alternative comics.