Shortcomings

Review by Mr. Gray - 75%

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Our rating: 75%

Overall rating: 75%

Written by:

Adrian Tomine

Art by:

Adrian Tomine

Published by:

Faber and Faber

Shortcomings is uncomfortable for those of us who have failed or been failed in a relationship. Everyone right? It's Adrian Tomine's longest story so far, and one I wanted more of after reading a juicy snippet in the McSweeney's comic compilation. It is the story of the death-rattle of a relationship, and what comes with those things - the denials, further denials mixed with accusations, and the physical confrontations we demand or try to avoid.

It isn't for the young, or even really for most teenagers, not because it's crude or rude, but rather because Tomine as well as being obvious in his plot and his dialogue, allows enough subtlety and unspoken weight to be carried by the readers' sensibilities and intelligence. He lets the gaps in meanings chime the bells within each of us, so that a simple story about relationships rather than love, sometimes about race, can appeal to as many people as possible.

I have a few of Tomine's books, and I prefer this to some of his shorter stories. It lacks the visually stunning appeal of Scrapbook, but is a different and cleverer beast entirely. His art is crisp, stylish, and sometimes very subtle with what may appear a simple face is actually revealing a lot of emotion or thought, even deception. I am a little unenthused with his topics, because he lets his characters be too childish. I expect a little more from him in his content when dealing with adults that too often feel like teenagers. I hope his focus shifts in future work because I believe his artistic skills in the format are excellent, and could show more than he perhaps believes he can put in.

A good work by a soon to be excellent producer of comics. A work that anyone should be glad to learn from, and enjoy reading. Encore.

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