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Notables 2010: David Lapham’s Young Liars

David Lapham, Young Liars, 2008.

I am…at a loss. How to describe this unbelievably weird, fast-moving, violent, entertaining story? Not sure it’s really possible, but let’s try. A boy with a big crush on a girl shoots her, lodging a bullet in her head and tuning off her inhibitions, and much of her memory. She becomes violent, unhinged, exciting. Possibly a host for spiders from Mars. Multiple layers of personalities, identities, realities. On the run from her rich father and hanging out with an anorexic model, a heroin addict cross-dresser, and  groupie, and a sleazebag. Oh, sorry, were there spoilers in there? I couldn’t tell.

This is another of those completely uncategorizable Vertigo books, even more so than American Virgin. Despite mostly not knowing what the hell was going on, I really enjoyed the crazy adrenaline-fueled tumble of this book.

Age: Adult

 

What is this “Notable” thing all about? Matt and Jessica are the series editors for the Best American Comics, and are responsible for the Notable Comics list at the back of the book, which is comprised of virtually all the comics we sent to the guest editor that weren’t picked, as well as a number of others that we think are noteworthy for various reasons, but that we didn’t send to the guest editor.

We’ve always hoped readers will delve a bit into the list to find more great stories once they finish reading BAC. Realistically, though, we know that’s tough. What can you know about a story from a title and author? So this is one of a series of posts focusing on each of the Notables from the 2010 Best American Comics.

Have or know of a comic we should look at? Find submission info here.

The “age” suggestion is what we think might be the minimum age for reading and appreciating a work. All works on the list, though, should appeal to older audiences too. It’s a minimum suggestion only.

Comments

2 Comments to Notables 2010: David Lapham’s Young Liars

  • by Nick Abadzis

    On March 16, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    This sounds engagingly bananas…

  • by Jessica Abel

    On March 16, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    You said it.

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