Mind Riot: Coming of Age in Comix

by Karen D. Hirsch

Mind Riot: A condition of panic, when stressed-out brain short-circuits. Mind Riot: A condition of growing up, as seen in this graphically innovative, wildly inventive collection of stories by the best of the alternative comix artists. Here is friendship and skateboarding, gang life and body image, moviemaking and even love, all told in the intensely personal mode of comix.

Contributors: Ida Marx Blue Spruce, Ann Decker, Phoebe Gloeckner, David Greenberger, Roberta Gregory, Glenn Head, Peter Kuper, Caryn Leschen, Diane Noomin, Kevin Quigley, Vicky Rabinowicz, Dean Rohrer, Carol Swain, Carol Tyler, Colin Upton, Maurice Vellekoop.

Mind Riot: It'll blow your mind. And you'll love every minute of it.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Young Adult

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1997

Reviews

[Cathleen Ash]

Short teen comix, touching real-life teen issues, with notes from the authors before each comic, explaining what got them into comix, why they're still into them, or anything else the author wanted to share. Love, angst, grandparents' deaths, stereotypes, incest, abuse, guilt over masturbation (as told by a bunny boy!), homophobia and more! These comix are fun, funny, tantalizing and a bit frightening!

[Chelsea Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A time capsule from a time (when I was a teenager) when comix were comix and harder to find than they are now. Each story in this collection was commissioned by the editor, specifically with teenaged characters. I'm now too old to remember if I would have enjoyed these in that era, or whether I preferred stuff that allowed me to avoid contemplating teenage-dom; either cute comic strip kids or autobiographical creepy old dudes were kinda of the draw anyhow. But I maybe would have appreciated the mix of younger and older artists, and realizing that there were so many women comics artists as well. As an older person now, I appreciate how these teenage stories don't avoid the boredom of small town life and uncomfortable family relationships. The "Resources for Comix Fans" at the end, like the title itself, does seem quaint now!
*With Arthur
*The Girl from a Different World
*Painted Friends
*The Paladins of Destruction
*When Dreams Come True
*Out at the Movies

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The coming-of-age stories in this book are diverse and compelling...and some impressive artwork supports them. I enjoyed the range of comix artists (part of the purpose of the book), liked that the book includes a bit of background about each of them, and appreciated the ways in which they shared their stories of adolescence (some funny, some poignant, some just really cool) through a mixture of language and art. Especially interesting are the explanation of the title, and the intro and foreward by Hirsch and Bagge, respectively. Gave me a new appreciation for the form. A good (and quick!) read!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at a library book sale, and have it displayed at home with my other graphic novels. However, this collection takes an interesting view on the medium, highlighting its importance in the lives of young teenagers who have no idea what life, love, and sex are all about. The collections include some funny, some tragic, and some sick stories all preempted by an author introduction which, in most cases, includes their interpretation of how the medium changed the way they saw the world. Very quick read.

[Cate]

Includes a piece by the brilliant Vicky Rabinowicz, whose piece "Oh Fuck, I'm a Victim" is the most powerful thing I've seen in years.

[Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

A definite mixed bag, providing at least a few artists to suit any taste. Generally more funny than painful

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phoebe Gloeckner breaks my heart every time.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for teenagers or adults looking to wallow in nostalgia/ connect with their fellow loners.

Terrific work, of course. Not my personal cup of tea.