Thoughts and Words#2
Not a comicbook but a zine from an ex-member of the comicbook reading British public.
The initial impression of the being that is Matthew Lawrenson is of a distant pessimist. Perhaps distant, somewhat tormented. Some of this stuff, like Matthew's recounting of his schooldays is unpleasant reading, merely because the events chronicled give the sense of being unpleasant. However there is a sense of friendliness apparent immediately. Matthew writes with an (sometimes painfully) honesty and openess not seen enough these days. Or to let Matthew convey the message properly,
"I'm not going to fit properly in the great human scheme of things. So I take advantage of this, and try to turn it to my advantage"
And what frustrates my ego is that he makes it seem so easy. Building bridges to his world, with the same making it look easy deftness gets the reader to think in a non-taxing way. There's articles in here on grand Prix racing, early 60s pop, the nature of love and Matthew coming to terms with who he is from what he's been. He's a very funny truthful guy, and while his truths are not earth shattering... well, that's the point. The little things that count. There's a real feeling of solid writer-reader relationship to this stuff as he easily interprets the reactions and writes in response. He writes like an informer or educator, it's all very social. What's prevalent is that Matthew has a unique flair for outlining wide (if not universal) dysfunctional identification.
As a result, I can see things that other people gloss over or fail to notice. I can see through the bullshit that others take for normality. And when I express these opinions, others are provoked into 'Oh yeah, I never thought of that'
or 'Eh? Fuck you' If nothing else, it keeps things moving."
Fifty pence and a first class stamp for a copy of this homely real social event. On the front of the envelope write,
Matthew Lawrenson, 126 Oxford Road, May Bank, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffs, ST5 0QA
Or if you're otherwise inclined check out Matthew's Thoughts and Words on the web.