Something to read: Blackbird by Pierre Maurel

With the amount of books, graphic novels and monthly series available on the comic-store display, a comic-bulimic like myself often forgets what it was that attracked him to start spending so much time and money in the comicstore to begin with.

I find myself in a situation where each week there is plenty of stuff to buy just to keep up with the release calendar, making sure I have my series up to date, having all books by my favorite authors and also explore the latest "hot titles" reaching the shelves out of nowhere.

I remember that years ago, when I had more restraints to my comic-scope (language = Dutch, budget = the leftover from my student-allowance), I had to actively search for interesting things to buy, which was the real trigger to start exploring books that initially didn't attract me at all. Those were the days.

Now, 17 years later (and counting), with a less limited budget and an open mind for Dutch, French and English prints, I find myself with no more room to store my purchases. Digital comics not being my thing, I have started to put books in front of each other, while crossing my fingers that the bookshelve won't come down on me.

So, now that you have a clue on the amount of reading I do, I hope you can appreciate it when I find it necessary to recommend a book - I only do it when I get really excited about something and think you might miss it because of its obscurity or lack of publicity.

Blackbird by Pierre Maurel is a self-referencing story. In a world that resembles our present, the freedom of "print" is at stake when the government decides that all publications can only be done via official recognised publication houses. Fanzines (self made, copied and distributed amature comics) are suddenly considered illegal. We follow a small group of people who continue creating & distributing their fanzine, named Blackbird, and how they have to hide themselves away to be able to stand up for what they believe in. It is a nice touch that this comic, also named Blackbird, was originally published as a fanzine itself, making the line between reality and fantasy very thin. Maurel takes his time to tell his story, and has found the perfect level of balance that allows you as a reader to feel sympathy for the characters while not necessarely identifying yourself with one of them. The choice for an open ending, even if you want more of this stuff, is the only correct one. In other words, this book is a page turner, a recommended read for people looking for that little extra and in fact an overall success - while staying faithfull to its underground origins. Remember Bottomless Belly Button by Dash Shaw ? I'm sorry to say it was a huge disappointment, after all the recomendations I read about it. It was something in the line of Blackbird that I was hoping for, and I thank Pierre Maurel for making it.

So if, just as me, you would like to look at your bookshelves one day and tell yourself: I got some books here that are against all trends and odds but actually make a difference", then go and search for your copy of Blackbird by Pierre Maurel (available at l'employé du moi).