The Scribbler by Dan Schaffer

by Dan Schaffer

We're all part Yin and part Yang, but Suki's Yang is trying to get out! Witness the Siamese Burn, an experimental machine designed to eliminate multiple personalities. And it works! Suki is down to her last unwanted identity, but now she's losing time and the machine is changing into something that's going to turn her world inside out. And that unwanted identity... what do you do when it turns out to be you?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Comic Book

Mass Market Paperback

First published November 29, 2006

Reviews

[47Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suki has dissociative identity disorder - multiple personalities. Doctor Sinclair is testing a new device called a Siamese Burn on her that is supposed to eliminate or assimilate her personalities when used for 5-hour intervals. After accidentally using it for two straight days, funny things start to happen - like objects talking to her. Living in a building with several other mentally unstable individuals can get you killed, literally. She narrates the story in a funny, but also informative and scientific way. The story switches between the present and the time she spent in therapy.

Her life is a mess in the relationship department as well. Her friend with benefits Hogan neglects to say anything about a girlfriend named Alice, one of the jealous, push-you-down-the-stairs-if-you-screw-my-man types. Her personalities are still a problem - they rewire the device to electrocute her and make her spend more than the recommended time hooked up to it. Hogan tries to fix it, but things degenerate further. He and Alice also use it, with different effects. He feels good, but Alice turns to violence. Now Suki is afraid for her life, since Alice pushed her down the stairs once already.

Suki's last personality is the Scribbler, the one who has her write strange messages backwards on the walls. By the end it turns out that it's in fact the main personality when Suki is wiped out by the device.

[Robert Bussie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw this book in the bargain boxes at a comic show I was intrigued by the cover. Then I saw that it was written by Dan Schaffer and I knew that I had to pick it up. I read all three book of the amazing "Dogwitch" trades. I really enjoyed the weird and fun premise. I also read the violent "Killdarlings" so, I knew going into "The Scribbler" that it would be off beat and I was right.

The story is about mental illness patients in a halfway house. The premise offers countless possibilities. However, in the end the story is rushed and a bit confusing. With all the possible stories that could be written on this premise I consider this book a missed opportunity. This plot would make an excellent idea for a long running comic book series.

There are things I liked about this book. I liked how the people are self-aware that they have issues and don't try to sugar coat it. I also liked that even though the main character, Suki, is sarcastic and even a bit resistant to trying a new method she sees the potential in it.

The art work is fantastic. Using shades of grey water color adds a lot of atmosphere and fits the story very well.

So, is this book as good as the "Dogwitch" stories? Sadly, nope. I understand that these two book series are in different genres, but "Dogwitch" is written better and is much more fun.

[Ilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

You wouldn't have guessed from the David Lynch meets Michel Gondry vibe of the initial chapters, but this turns out to be a superhero origin story. That might be why Image decided to publish what is otherwise an admirably peculiar and non-linear comic. Schaffer's take on mental illness could well be crude and romanticised – serious disorders being elevated by the idea that resistance to social conformity can ultimately be empowering. The fantasy that superpowers might be gained by abandoning the pressure to manage your illness may be cold comfort to people who have to live with ill-health in real life.

It is still a seductive fantasy, however. Schaffer's sympathy for his characters deflates the standard superhero fight the book ends on. The villain isn't evil but an enemy, and the protagonist's empathy puts an end to their conflict. The book concludes by spinning its exploration of multiple personalities into an existential metaphor – we don't have a unitary identity, and overcoming inner turmoil may be about coming to terms with that.

[Devon Munn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and moody graphic novel about a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder

[Angelina Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure about the portrayal of the mentally ill. I feel like the mystified, super-power-like dissociative identity disorders in the book might be offensive to those actually suffering from it. I don't know for sure. The lead character Suki is a rough tough, crass kinda gal and I can appreciate that. The philosophical aspect of the book was compelling and beautifully written but also problematic in the way that I mentioned previously. It is fantasy realism, which is awesome to see in a comic book. The art is very good, it's more realistic than a lot of comic books, favoring a darker and more muddled style when the characters are having a break from reality. I enjoyed reading it and the artistic style really is breathtaking.

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came to this after seeing the movie adaptation at Frightfest a while back and enjoying it, it was a stylish and strange tale with all sorts of weird and interesting ideas. Have to say I didn't really enjoy the book as much. The weird and interesting ideas are there but I felt like the movie did a better job of communicating them and pacing things, while I felt like the book raced through things a bit too much for them to have the same impact (I seem to remember the film spending a bit more time with the different building residents for example). Purely down to personal taste, but this didn't really do it for me, I would recommend giving the film a go though.

[Paulie Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

quick review owned and lived this for years not an everyday read deaf darker subject matter more internal topics highly talented creator owned well rounded story very precarious topics love the scribbler don't want a live in situation but scribbles good character wouldn't follow footsteps on this topic and watch out for alice...

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spooky, surrealist comic. Entertaining enough, generally good art. Don't bother decoding the hidden message, it's not worth the effort.

[L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome graphic novel, by an awesome writer. The individuality of this story is wicked cool!

[Kat To · Rating 1 out of 5]

THE WORST THING TO EVER PICK UP EVER DON'T DO IT

[Marissa Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh