The Original Johnson #3

Dave (9:04 AM on Wed Oct 22, 2008)

That. Felt. GOOD!

As someone who was repeatedly beat up as a kid and never learned how to fight back (my mother didn't believe in fighting - if the bigger kids beat me up, it must have been my fault, I must have asked for it), that type of good has been a long time coming. My Dad (Mom's second husband - a gentle giant even though his life included both WWII and having been a lumberman for 30 years) did try to teach me how to fight, but I was too afraid to learn.

I've seen other versions of this scene (Spider-Man as an example) but none have matched the raw cathartic energy of these four pages. I have felt as he felt on the first page, trying to summon up the courage and strength to stand up to the bullies. However, in my case, I was quickly reminded how weak I was. I don't know, maybe I didn't really want to fight.

I know how he felt regarding wanting his mother's approval. I used to go to school with major bruises on my arms and being forced to wear a long sleeve short lest anyone see the bruises. And yet, I still loved her and wanted her approval. My wife has often wondered how I've been able to forgive her. My mother had been severely beat by her Father and her first husband (my father), so maybe she didn't know better.

However, even after the beatings both at school and at home, I've become a loving adult who would never use violence except in the most dire circumstances - but that doesn't mean a certain part of me doesn't feel that some people just have it coming to them.

As great as this story is, it's definitely going to hit some nerves along the way - which is what a good story should do.

I apolgize for having been so personal with this entry, but I didn't know how to make my point any other way. Trevor Von Eeden is going way beyond the envelope with this story.

Russ Rogers (10:39 PM on Wed Oct 22, 2008)

This continues with very strong art. The lighting and staging and general FEEL of this reminds me of Will Eisner. It's both classic AND cutting edge. Classic cutting edge, an oxymoron.

I don't know exactly how to express this. But the characters have a bold, strong and archetypal quality to them. The street gang here looks to me like Our Gang or the Newsboy Legion. The characters are very broad, about as subtle as a two by four to the back of the head. I'm not saying that's bad. This is a comic, and one of the strengths of comics is being able to draw characters quickly from stock types. It just makes this story (so far) feel more like a fable or allegory than a biography.

jim wiz (9:35 PM on Tue Oct 28, 2008)

Now here's a guy who's a superb artist/ storyteller, in the tradition of some of the greats........
Von Eden cannot help but effuse his love for this medium, and infecting us all in the process.
We have not seen this kind of storytelling/ artistry in a long, long time......and he's only getting started, on ComicMix......Truly a privilege to behold.........
Here is a master who learned, and interpreted, carrys the torch, of the masters.
Dude, I'll clean your inking brushes anytime.
Bravo!