Alec: After The Snooter

Alec #4

by Eddie Campbell

Depicts the terrors of middle age through the eyes of the author, as he describes his daily routines as husband, father, son, friend, and artist, all while battling a mothlike creature called the Snooter.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Sequential Art

160 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2002

About the author

Eddie Campbell is a British comics artist and cartoonist whose work has shaped the evolution of modern graphic storytelling. He is widely known as the illustrator and publisher of From Hell, his long collaboration with Alan Moore that reimagines the Jack the Ripper case through an ambitious and meticulously researched narrative. Campbell is also the creator of the long-running semi-autobiographical Alec series, later collected in Alec: The Years Have Pants, and the satirical adventure cycle Bacchus, which follows a handful of Greek gods who have wandered into the contemporary world. His scratchy pen-and-ink technique draws on impressionist influences and early masters of expressive line art, while his writing blends humor, candor, and literary ambition in a manner that critics have compared to Jack Kerouac and Henry Miller.
Campbell began developing autobiographical comics in the late 1970s before expanding the Alec stories throughout the following decades, publishing early instalments through small press networks in London and later with major independent publishers. After moving to Australia in the mid-1980s, he continued to produce both Alec and Bacchus stories while contributing to a range of international anthologies. His partnership with Moore on From Hell, initially serialised in the anthology Taboo, became one of the most acclaimed graphic novels of its era and further cemented his reputation for grounded, character-driven illustration.
Across a varied career Campbell has worked as a creator, editor, publisher, and occasional court illustrator. His contributions to comics have earned him numerous industry awards, including the Eisner Award, the Harvey Award, the Ignatz Award, the Eagle Award, and the UK Comic Art Award. He continues to produce new work while maintaining a strong presence in both literary and comics circles.

Reviews

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily my favorite book from the Alec series, this volume looks back at miscellaneous events from Campbell's childhood as well as his present life. My favorite parts are those that deal with Campbell's family. Delightfully funny and often crazy, there's a sweet affection that shines through each illustration. There are also interesting behind-the-scenes insights into Campbell's drawing and publishing career (out of the front room of his house), the making of From Hell, and the financial stability he finally gets from that work. The book is absolutely delightful from start to finish.

[Mickey Bits · Rating 5 out of 5]

As of this writing I haven't yet read From Hell or Bacchus but I think I will soon. This was my first introduction to Eddie Campbell and after reading the book I feel I know him a little bit via this semi-autobiographical collection.

He satirizes both his own life and that of his friends. Everyone gets a send-up.

[Korynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While hanging out at the comic shop I picked up some random autobiographical issues floating around written by Mr. Campbell (the dance of lifey/death). His art style is sketchy but he captures life very well: fleeting facial expressions, distinctly human postures, recapturing random hilarious moments and little miracles. I enjoyed the vignettes of his life and so I picked up this volume, rather recent out of the body of his work that is available and completely relished it. The chaos of his family and his meanderings and musings on life are well rehashed and retold into myth and legend. A master storyteller I feel. Well done

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely marvelous. After How to be an Artist, I hadn't enjoyed a single Eddie Campbell book I'd read (and I'd read several--King Canute Crowd, Fate of the Artist, Black Diamond Detective Agency, Amazing Monsieur Leotard). I had come to think that my enjoyment of that first Alec volume was just a fluke, so I went into this book very reluctantly and apprehensively. And I'm very glad I gave it a chance because I loved it. It made me laugh, and it made me think, many times over. Brilliant stuff.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I preferred After the Snooter to How to Be an Artist, partly because I got over my own curmudgeonliness about the small lettering and partly because Campbell drops the roman a clef style for the most part and uses real names, or at least more names that I recognize. Also, I love From Hell and this behind-the-scenes of the movie-making and publisher debacles is pretty interesting. Overall, an introspective, self-deprecating look into the life of a comics great.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure whether to label this as nonfiction or not. The book consists of several short stories and incidents from the authors life. Some of the stories are a little bit strange, but alot of them are very interesting.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a serial comic strip about an illustrator.
1/18/09