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 MY BRAIN
HURTS: Vol. 1
(Microcosm
Publishing) by Liz Baillie. 2007. Graphic novel/fiction. 128 pages.
Collecting the first five issues of her zine, Liz Baillie’s comics tell
the story of a group of queer punk rocker teenagers living in
New York
. The panels weave stories from teenage crushes, friendship, uncertainty,
and the finer side of life’s various disappointments.
Revolving around the main character
Kate, an early teen who discovers she likes girls, Liz Baille nicely tells
the story of a girl who must deal with the average teenage crap topped
with being gay. Though the gay stuff is in the foreground, the stories are
not preachy (I’m sure neo-Cons will think it is preachy and ultra-Libs
will think it doesn’t go far enough-fuck ‘em, I say) and honestly
disappear into Kate’s surroundings. Helping raise the shenanigans is
Kate’s best friend Joey; your typical male teenage pain in the arse.
Though I did find the dialog a bit mature for early to mid teenagers, even
for those raised on Kevin Smith movies, the stories are engaging and
easily understood since we were all once teens; gay or not. Liz’s
artistic talent is good and gets better with every page. I look forward to
reading this continuing comic zine and shall hit Liz up for a trade. –
Denis Sheehan
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