Buddy Does Jersey
Subtitled, “The Complete Buddy Bradley Stories from ‘Hate’ Comics, Vol. II (1994 – ’98)” this 352 page book finishes what Buddy Does Seattle
(http://www.copacetic.biz/CompleteBuddyB.html ) began, namely collecting the all 30 issues of Bagge’s hugely successful (well, in alternative indy comics terms, anyway) run of Hate. A definitive — and caustically funny — account of the coming of age of the 1990s Alt. scene, Hate — picking up where Bagge’s initial comics project, Neat Stuff, left off — chronicled Buddy’s trek from his parents’ suburban New Jersey home to the burgeoning Seattle scene and then back again. This volume contains the entirety of the “back again” part which originally appeared in Hate #16 – 30. Starting off with Buddy and his gal pal Lisa getting off the Turnpike and following their ever whackier hi-jinx — and those of their splendid and seedy supporting cast — ending with them… well, that would be giving it away. Suffice it to say that these comics are the single truest depiction of the demographic they represent that has yet to be produced in any medium. And, it features a long introduction by Bagge describing (for the first time) how the stories in this book reflected events in his own life. If you have yet to get around to reading these comics, now there’s simply no excuse.
retail price – $14.95 copacetic price – $12.70