Martha Thomases: Pekar’s Cleveland
The Avengers opens today. As near as I can tell from the Internets, I’m the last person in the world to see it. The New York Daily News reviewed it on Monday, since apparently everyone in the city has the option of going to a screening.
I hope to catch it this weekend, like a rube from the sticks.
Which brings me to the graphic story that has me most excited right now. Harvey Pekar’s Cleveland. Written by Harvey with fantastic art by Joseph Memnant, was just published by ZIP in collaboration with Top Shelf.
Cleveland, Ohio is a large, midwestern city, and, like many large midwestern cities, is a shadow of its former self. Unlike Chicago, it is not the City of Big Shoulders, nor is it the Hog Butcher of the World. It’s not like San Francisco, Miami or New York, a portal to the international scene. Cleveland is kind of schlubby, most famous these days for the fact that the Cuyahoga River caught fire… over a dozen times.
To me, Cleveland was the Big City. Growing up in Youngstown (about an hour and a half away), Cleveland to me was a place that was big where my town was small: the airport, the art museum, the library, the department stores. My father’s work took him more often to Pittsburgh (also about an hour and a half away), and he liked the Pirates and the Steelers. My mother liked the shopping better in Pittsburgh.
For me, there was no comparison. Cleveland was the city where Superman was born. Cleveland was the more rock’n’roll town, and had the best radio stations to prove it.
Pekar loved Cleveland for some of these reasons, and more. It’s his hometown, where he grew up and worked and married. He revels in the seemingly contradictory traditions of progressive politics, union membership, and racism.
The mix of history and personal reminiscence is both seamless and magical. Reading this book, you feel Cleveland as a place, not just a spot on a map, but a city where people live and work, dream and comfort each other. You root for the mass-transit system and the used book stores.
I was lucky enough to meet Harvey a few times, although never in Cleveland. I don’t have that chance anymore. Still, there’s a chance we might be able to keep more than his spirit in the city he loved. If you haven’t chipped in on this project, think about it. I’m told they could use more money.
SATURDAY: Marc Alan Fishman
To quote Drew Carey, “Cleveland rocks!” I never really knew about Harvey Pekar (yes, I know, I suck — moving along) until AMERICAN SPLENDOR came out as a movie, then I went back and started obsessively collecting as much of his work as I could get my hands on. I’m envious that you got to meet him, and wistful that he’s gone. And yes, as soon as I have some moolah next week, I’ll be chipping in on the library statue.
It won’t let me donate :(
At lasr……. Martha and I have sometjjhing in common other than beloved John – – CLEVELAND, ohio. Tjere happens to be a Cleveland, TX. No comparison. Never could be..
Ironic John meets Martha et al, and she and family associated with the 2 important cities in life of mother-in-law,
ME. I loved both cities and eve now recall wonderful memories of both. PGH Pirates, Steelers. PHIPPS Conservatory where my family and I visited every Spring. Always dreamed of attending Carnegie Tech, now Carnegie Mellon.
Moved to Cleveland age 20 or 21. Didn’t journal then. thepit So pleased to read of Martha’s love for Cleveland. It has had great influence on my life as Pgh. Pa. has also. Still have family cousins living in both wonderful cities. Both beat Houston in all categories. Graduated Taylor Allderdice High School where standard of learning so high it was like a junior college. My scholastic record so excellent, was accepted anywhere I wanted to attend, buy alas could not afford.
I am very proud I spent early years in Pgh Pa and Cleveland, Ohio. I must say Kennywood Park though had it all over Euclid Beach in the amusement category.