Where the Rent Went
Comic Zine, Andrew Neal, meetingcomics.com, $5
A cast of chaotic punks living in the city and doing punk things, like play shows and party, is a concept I can always get behind. This mystery-solving comic about Val Cannon going on the hunt to find out what happened to the punk house rent is a riot. Living in a punk house is a unique experience. Most people would probably say one of the worst experiences for those who prize cleanliness. But it also offers some of the tightest friendships and camaraderie around. Sometimes group living isn’t for everyone and can result in things going missing. Andrew Neal’s comic zine is a fun examination of these dynamics.
Where the Rent Went is full of excellent characters, a solid plot, and art that is just dreamy. The chaos of the house, the shows and the characters is highlighted by Neal’s dynamic use of patterns, textures, and lettering. It certainly made me want to read more of his work and thankfully, Added Value, an accompanying statement, was made. Here, Neal talks about his choices in the creation of the comic and also puts in some autobiographical tales about his own time living in a punk house!