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Days Like This
J. Torres, who used memory to great effect in The Copybook Tales, now casts his eye back to the early '60s, when pop music ruled the airwaves. Days Like This follows the formation of Tina & the Tiaras, a new girl group, as they rise up the charts and overcome personal obstacles to become stars. Featuring stunning art by newcomer Scott Chantler that's reminiscent of the clean lines of vintage graphic design from the period.
80 pages, Library Binding
First published April 15, 2003
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About the author
J. Torres
398 books81 followersComic book writer whose credits include the Eisner Award nominated Alison Dare, the YALSA listed Days Like This and Lola: A Ghost Story, as well as Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Love as a Foreign Language and Teen Titans Go, which garnered him a Shuster Award.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 8, 2009
To begin with, a poorly-devised haiku review:
Not so innocent
That rock can't corrupt a soul
No day like today
________________
Days Like This is hard to put into words, but abrupt might be an adequate descriptor. I hadn't read the slim volume in several years and as we were packing up the house for a move I pulled it out of a box to read that night. What I had remembered was that it was an enjoyable story with enjoyable art but that the tale ended way too soon.
And that's probably about how I'd describe it today. I almost always enjoy J. Torres' books and Scott Chantler always shows himself an able talent behind the art. The problem is that just as the story is getting going, it is over. I wasn't sure if this was meant to be a continuing series that was just cut short or if it was planned this way, but I felt, well, unsatisfied.
Torres sets up lots of problems and lots of characters and everyone gets their cathartic implied finale over the space of about two pages at the end. There are a fistful of loose threads and I could see the author doing this intentionally, but I could also see him hoping that it would go further but maybe funds ran dry or the publisher said, "Joe, that's enough."
It wouldn't be the first for him, I'm guessing—as the phenomenal Sidekicks similarly ends with the story left unfinished and no further volumes planned (so far as I'm aware).
In case I wasn't clear, I loved the Days Like This that was there (the characters, the story, the art) but mourn the Days Like This that I will apparently never see.
Not so innocent
That rock can't corrupt a soul
No day like today
________________
Days Like This is hard to put into words, but abrupt might be an adequate descriptor. I hadn't read the slim volume in several years and as we were packing up the house for a move I pulled it out of a box to read that night. What I had remembered was that it was an enjoyable story with enjoyable art but that the tale ended way too soon.
And that's probably about how I'd describe it today. I almost always enjoy J. Torres' books and Scott Chantler always shows himself an able talent behind the art. The problem is that just as the story is getting going, it is over. I wasn't sure if this was meant to be a continuing series that was just cut short or if it was planned this way, but I felt, well, unsatisfied.
Torres sets up lots of problems and lots of characters and everyone gets their cathartic implied finale over the space of about two pages at the end. There are a fistful of loose threads and I could see the author doing this intentionally, but I could also see him hoping that it would go further but maybe funds ran dry or the publisher said, "Joe, that's enough."
It wouldn't be the first for him, I'm guessing—as the phenomenal Sidekicks similarly ends with the story left unfinished and no further volumes planned (so far as I'm aware).
In case I wasn't clear, I loved the Days Like This that was there (the characters, the story, the art) but mourn the Days Like This that I will apparently never see.
December 25, 2022
Días como éstos • 4/5 ⭐ Exemplar de col·laboració
Aquesta novel·la gràfica posa al centre la música pop protagonitzada per les dones. En especial als anys 60.
Som a New York i tres adolescents es creuen amb una dona trencadora que acaba de crear un nou segell discogràfic. Juntes faran grans coses.
El final queda obert, però és realment previsible i l'èxit de les tres noies és evident.
Una història de dones que lluiten al ritme de la música per créixer i superar els límits de la seva època.
Unes il·lustracions divertides, senzilles, però amb molta expressivitat. Un relat breu que m'ha agradat molt.
Aquesta novel·la gràfica posa al centre la música pop protagonitzada per les dones. En especial als anys 60.
Som a New York i tres adolescents es creuen amb una dona trencadora que acaba de crear un nou segell discogràfic. Juntes faran grans coses.
El final queda obert, però és realment previsible i l'èxit de les tres noies és evident.
Una història de dones que lluiten al ritme de la música per créixer i superar els límits de la seva època.
Unes il·lustracions divertides, senzilles, però amb molta expressivitat. Un relat breu que m'ha agradat molt.
May 19, 2021
It's ok, but it never really gets where it's going., fizzling out rather than ending with a bang.
May 17, 2013
It is the early 1960s and recent divorcee Anna Solomon is about to strike out on her own in her ex-husband’s world: the music business. She isn’t the only one launching her career. A fresh young female song writer is looking to sell her work where she can, and three high school singers are starting out where many do: the church choir and a school talent show. Its just good timing that the three paths should intersect, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t going to be easy.
"Ben (the ex-brother-in-law: So I hear the little divorcee is starter her own record company.
Anna: With those ears, I imagine you can hear rhinos mating in Africa.”
Ben: Do you have any idea what it takes to run a record company?
Anna: I’ve been watching you Solomon Brothers do it for years. Learned what to do from Abe, what not to do from you.
Ben: Well, won’t you be surprised when it turns out to be more complicated than making meatloaf or starching a shirt…"
Nice, guy, huh?! but such is the attitude with which Anna is confronted. Time is another conflict. Launching a record label and organizing a young up-and-comer is time consuming. Her daughter Ruth, who is the reason Anna was at that talent show, makes the introduction to lead singer Christina and her trio before fading into the background, reminded that if she gets hungry, they are well-stocked in frozen dinners. Illustrator Scott Chandler relates most of that story by placing and not forgetting a Ruth left behind and trying to negotiate her parent’s divorce and mother’s new career on her own. It is a testament to the book that Anna doesn’t come off as looking like an absolute villain; plenty has to do with her other admirable traits; much of it has to do with writer J. Torres’ decision not to moralize in that direction—and he doesn’t have to, you can sense an equilibrium of consequences in the offing… No, the stern frown is directed toward those conservative cultural notions that prove destructive (including self-).
Christina is the “Tina” of “the Tiaras,” and she dreams of being a star. We learn that she dreams this primarily through her mother who is valiant in her defense and encouragement of Christina signing with Anna. Her opposition? her husband Luther who thinks the choir should be the extent of his daughter’s ambitions, to say nothing of his feelings about the hell dimension that is the music world.
"Have you heard about this Little Richard character? The man who wears make-up? Only man I know wears make-up is a clown! And then there’s Elvis! Stealin’ black folks’ music and gyratin’ on the TV, making all the young girls lose their heads… and speaking of young girls, what about Jerry-Lee-what’s-his-name marrying his teenage cousin!"
And there is no convincing him after he finds out they’ve taken the “Christ” out of “Tina.” Even so, it is a study in marital dynamics the way two very determined parents pursue what they think is best for their child; especially the mother—who is finally fed up talking around one of the central issues in the story. What is a concern other than dreams? money. She is going to see to it her daughter will rise out of poverty and if she can do it while doing something she loves? The manipulative tactics may be uncomfortable for some, but for most: all too familiar. However, this is an issue upon which Christina’s mom is willing to take risks. All the women in the Days Like This have reached a decisive moment (Christina on the cusp) and prove self-determining.
The third path, which is actually the first one we meet, is Karen Prince age 17 and a go-getter in her own right. Along with the “Tiaras” (who are brilliant), she makes up the lighter, more comedic moments—well, when Anna isn’t telling some man what she thinks, that is. Karen bridges Anna’s boldness and Christina’s youth. She has just sold her first song with persistence and happenstance. But she crushes on boys and admits her own father had his doubts when trying to envision her future—a new golf-bag helped. In the end, you understand what Luther and other must: there is no stopping these women.
Not that all the men in the story are discouraging. Anna’s ex does not share his brother’s view of Anna’s capabilities. And Anna has made contacts in a male-dominant industry, with strings she can pull. One resource is a song-writer whom she wants to pair with Karen—as her b-side of the record. Ben, for all his “rat faced” remarks, bought Karen’s first song. And even Luther is complicated by what he is unwilling to say…those manipulative tactics look less manipulative as time passes; the wife is just giving him his plausible deniability—until she is no longer willing to give him that.
The artwork, all in black and white, is reminiscent of the 60’s if not earlier. There is a nice balance of text and illustrated expression; engaging and easy to follow. Torres references ‘60s culture, but most of the historical weight is in Chandler’s clean-lined renderings. And while Torres tries to off-set the serious with quick wit, Chandler provides his own sense of well-timed humor. Days Like This is a beautifully plotted out piece in form.
That the story is set in the ‘60s creates a nice conversation about that time in our country and in the music of the times; however, plenty of it still resonates today. Women and men both are faced with difficult decisions under the pressures of a lot of cultural baggage. The development of the girl’s image (weight, song choice) are abbreviated allusions any reader of the present will pick up on and connect with.
The story is a quick read, Torres choosing his moments carefully. The book ends as Tina and the Tiaras are properly launched, however it creates enough momentum behind a positive trajectory that you understand how it will all play out for our protagonists. The optimism isn’t in the present day reader, but in the characterization of the women (and men) in story.
~L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
"Ben (the ex-brother-in-law: So I hear the little divorcee is starter her own record company.
Anna: With those ears, I imagine you can hear rhinos mating in Africa.”
Ben: Do you have any idea what it takes to run a record company?
Anna: I’ve been watching you Solomon Brothers do it for years. Learned what to do from Abe, what not to do from you.
Ben: Well, won’t you be surprised when it turns out to be more complicated than making meatloaf or starching a shirt…"
Nice, guy, huh?! but such is the attitude with which Anna is confronted. Time is another conflict. Launching a record label and organizing a young up-and-comer is time consuming. Her daughter Ruth, who is the reason Anna was at that talent show, makes the introduction to lead singer Christina and her trio before fading into the background, reminded that if she gets hungry, they are well-stocked in frozen dinners. Illustrator Scott Chandler relates most of that story by placing and not forgetting a Ruth left behind and trying to negotiate her parent’s divorce and mother’s new career on her own. It is a testament to the book that Anna doesn’t come off as looking like an absolute villain; plenty has to do with her other admirable traits; much of it has to do with writer J. Torres’ decision not to moralize in that direction—and he doesn’t have to, you can sense an equilibrium of consequences in the offing… No, the stern frown is directed toward those conservative cultural notions that prove destructive (including self-).
Christina is the “Tina” of “the Tiaras,” and she dreams of being a star. We learn that she dreams this primarily through her mother who is valiant in her defense and encouragement of Christina signing with Anna. Her opposition? her husband Luther who thinks the choir should be the extent of his daughter’s ambitions, to say nothing of his feelings about the hell dimension that is the music world.
"Have you heard about this Little Richard character? The man who wears make-up? Only man I know wears make-up is a clown! And then there’s Elvis! Stealin’ black folks’ music and gyratin’ on the TV, making all the young girls lose their heads… and speaking of young girls, what about Jerry-Lee-what’s-his-name marrying his teenage cousin!"
And there is no convincing him after he finds out they’ve taken the “Christ” out of “Tina.” Even so, it is a study in marital dynamics the way two very determined parents pursue what they think is best for their child; especially the mother—who is finally fed up talking around one of the central issues in the story. What is a concern other than dreams? money. She is going to see to it her daughter will rise out of poverty and if she can do it while doing something she loves? The manipulative tactics may be uncomfortable for some, but for most: all too familiar. However, this is an issue upon which Christina’s mom is willing to take risks. All the women in the Days Like This have reached a decisive moment (Christina on the cusp) and prove self-determining.
The third path, which is actually the first one we meet, is Karen Prince age 17 and a go-getter in her own right. Along with the “Tiaras” (who are brilliant), she makes up the lighter, more comedic moments—well, when Anna isn’t telling some man what she thinks, that is. Karen bridges Anna’s boldness and Christina’s youth. She has just sold her first song with persistence and happenstance. But she crushes on boys and admits her own father had his doubts when trying to envision her future—a new golf-bag helped. In the end, you understand what Luther and other must: there is no stopping these women.
Not that all the men in the story are discouraging. Anna’s ex does not share his brother’s view of Anna’s capabilities. And Anna has made contacts in a male-dominant industry, with strings she can pull. One resource is a song-writer whom she wants to pair with Karen—as her b-side of the record. Ben, for all his “rat faced” remarks, bought Karen’s first song. And even Luther is complicated by what he is unwilling to say…those manipulative tactics look less manipulative as time passes; the wife is just giving him his plausible deniability—until she is no longer willing to give him that.
The artwork, all in black and white, is reminiscent of the 60’s if not earlier. There is a nice balance of text and illustrated expression; engaging and easy to follow. Torres references ‘60s culture, but most of the historical weight is in Chandler’s clean-lined renderings. And while Torres tries to off-set the serious with quick wit, Chandler provides his own sense of well-timed humor. Days Like This is a beautifully plotted out piece in form.
That the story is set in the ‘60s creates a nice conversation about that time in our country and in the music of the times; however, plenty of it still resonates today. Women and men both are faced with difficult decisions under the pressures of a lot of cultural baggage. The development of the girl’s image (weight, song choice) are abbreviated allusions any reader of the present will pick up on and connect with.
The story is a quick read, Torres choosing his moments carefully. The book ends as Tina and the Tiaras are properly launched, however it creates enough momentum behind a positive trajectory that you understand how it will all play out for our protagonists. The optimism isn’t in the present day reader, but in the characterization of the women (and men) in story.
~L (omphaloskepsis)
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/20...
May 20, 2012
Brief, bowdlerized saga about the formation of an early-sixties girl group ("Tina and the Tiaras": seriously that name coulda flown only circa 1981!). Reads mostly like a droll sitcom pilot, with most dosh and all psychosexual politics excised from the grim reality. The whole enterprise is saved by a cranky afterword from Jamie S. Rich, wherein he offers both the Flaming Lips and John Mayer a kicking.
November 16, 2015
cute, but felt really rushed. there wasn't much of a conclusion, and it could have been far longer
February 6, 2020
It starts with a young female songwriter, Karen Price, coming to Harmony Plaza (a recording studio apparently based on the Brill Building) to try to sell her songs. (apparently this character is loosely based on Carole King). Meanwhile one of the brother's that run's Harmony Plaza is getting a divorce and his wife, Anna Solomon decides that she will try starting a record label of her own. She goes to a talent show with her daughter and see Christina and two of her friends who are a trio of African American singers. Ms. Solomon decides they will be the first group for her new label.
After that the following storylines intertwine for the rest of the story:
1. Ms. Solomon trying to convince Christina's dad (her mom is already on board) to let her sign Christina on as a singer. Ms. Solomon promises him money, but Christina's dad is worried about what the church will think and keeps objecting (all the way through the book) but never explicitly says no so the story continues. (Apparently this girl group may have been loosely based on either the Crystals who rose to fame after winning a high school talent show or The Shirelles who use to sing in the hallways until a fellow student, whose mom happened to have a record label, heard them.)
2. Ms. Solomon getting Christina and her two friends ready to be the next big 1960 girl group. So having them cut a demo, getting matching dresses, getting their hair done etc.
3. Ms. Solomon's daughter Ruthie feeling left out given all the attention her mom is pouring into this new group
4. Introducing Karen Price as a songwriter for the girls and introducing Karen to another song writer George Griffin (someone says they make a cute couple - but we the reader never see if that is the case or not since their meeting is basically the end of their storyline - although he is probably a stand-in for Gerry Goffin so I think we are to assume that they did make a good pair)
It is not a very long book (and not ton of stuff happens) but it is interesting from the historical standpoint. After the story there is a letter from Jamie S. Rich that explains people complain about boys today (today being 2003 when the book was published) and fans being very cynical about the idea that record companies would put groups like this together and other folks would write their songs, but the idea of this book is to show that these items have been part of pop music for quite a while. He states that The Beatles began as a cover band, that Bon Jovi hired a Swedish producer Max Martin to write It's My Life which gave him a comeback hit, and that even Jimi Hendrix had oen of his biggest hits singing Bob Dylan.
After that the following storylines intertwine for the rest of the story:
1. Ms. Solomon trying to convince Christina's dad (her mom is already on board) to let her sign Christina on as a singer. Ms. Solomon promises him money, but Christina's dad is worried about what the church will think and keeps objecting (all the way through the book) but never explicitly says no so the story continues. (Apparently this girl group may have been loosely based on either the Crystals who rose to fame after winning a high school talent show or The Shirelles who use to sing in the hallways until a fellow student, whose mom happened to have a record label, heard them.)
2. Ms. Solomon getting Christina and her two friends ready to be the next big 1960 girl group. So having them cut a demo, getting matching dresses, getting their hair done etc.
3. Ms. Solomon's daughter Ruthie feeling left out given all the attention her mom is pouring into this new group
4. Introducing Karen Price as a songwriter for the girls and introducing Karen to another song writer George Griffin (someone says they make a cute couple - but we the reader never see if that is the case or not since their meeting is basically the end of their storyline - although he is probably a stand-in for Gerry Goffin so I think we are to assume that they did make a good pair)
It is not a very long book (and not ton of stuff happens) but it is interesting from the historical standpoint. After the story there is a letter from Jamie S. Rich that explains people complain about boys today (today being 2003 when the book was published) and fans being very cynical about the idea that record companies would put groups like this together and other folks would write their songs, but the idea of this book is to show that these items have been part of pop music for quite a while. He states that The Beatles began as a cover band, that Bon Jovi hired a Swedish producer Max Martin to write It's My Life which gave him a comeback hit, and that even Jimi Hendrix had oen of his biggest hits singing Bob Dylan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2017
This was a fun little graphic novel that shows the difference between music from the '60s and music today. Everyone had music written for them and did covers - and that was acceptable.
I kinda wish it was like that now because this artist shaming since someone doesn't write their own music is getting old.
I kinda wish it was like that now because this artist shaming since someone doesn't write their own music is getting old.
April 4, 2020
Short and sweet story about the making of a girl group in the early 60s. I’m a sucker for any kind of story about music in this era so I enjoyed it. Reading the afterword 17 years after it was written was wild though.
June 8, 2020
I just love this retro art style and 1960s setting. And I love that this was an early work addressing issues and containing characters that were not quite as commonly feature in 2003, when it was originally published.
November 25, 2025
An awesome read! I really enjoyed the artwork and the story. Love the Afterword as well.
March 17, 2017
This Graphic novel is a great look into the world of the early 1960s music industry. A lot of the things that happened in the story were based on things in real life much like the protagonists based on girl groups from that era and that everyone had songwriters. Funny, charming and full of heart this was a great little read everyone should check out!!
October 10, 2007
This short graphic novel follows three plotlines that weave in and out of each other - a woman starting her own record company after divorcing her record exec husband, a trio of inner-city girls trying to make it to the big time as a singing group (like the Supremes, the Ronettes, and any number of others), and a girl in her late teens trying to make it as a songwriter (basically, she's Carole King, and yes, there's a Gerry Coffin equivalent in the mix, too). If you've been waiting for a serious look at what it meant to be female and/or black in the white male-dominated music industry of the early 60s... well, you'll still have to wait. This book trades the reality for the fairy tale. But it's an entertaining fairy tale, and worth your time, I think, especially if you know a little bit about the real life people these characters are meant to echo.
February 28, 2012
This follows the beginning of a girl group called Tina and the Tiaras, a song writer, their manager and her daughter and gives an overview of how pop groups worked back in the fifties and sixties. A lot of different and interesting characters get followed but I did feel like the book wasn't wrapped up. You don't find out what happens to the Tiaras and the songwriter, you don't find out if the manager fixes her relationship with her daughter, only in a superficial sense can you infer what will happen, but I wish more had been added. There is a great afterward detailing how the industry really worked at the end.
May 19, 2016
It’s the mid 1960s. Anna Solomon just got divorced from her husband, who seems to be running his own record label into the ground. Anna learned a lot from her now-ex’s mistakes, so she decides to start her own label. At her daughter’s talent show, she finds just the girl group she’s looking for… but can Tina and the Tiaras overcome family resistance, find the right songwriter, and make a hit happen?
This book is sweet, and refreshing in how it centers women’s and girls’ stories. No one’s perfect, but just about everyone is doing their best.
We were fans of Scott Chantler from his other work, a fantasy epic, so it was fun to see him doing something quite different.
This book is sweet, and refreshing in how it centers women’s and girls’ stories. No one’s perfect, but just about everyone is doing their best.
We were fans of Scott Chantler from his other work, a fantasy epic, so it was fun to see him doing something quite different.
November 21, 2015
This story is my favorite comic book yet! I like how the author talks about himself in third person. This story is about a girl named Christina(Tina)and her two friends in the 1960`s.During this time period pop music is getting reborn. They sing at a Talent Show and Tina and the Tiara`s are signed by record label owner Anna Solomon. Will they be a success ; or a failure? I recommend this outstanding book to anyone looking for some music. This book is full of woman who stand up for what they believe in. This is a girl power book that makes dreams come true. It doesn`t matter what other people say, you can make your dreams a reality.
August 20, 2008
This book was kind of boring. It is about three high school girls who make a record. The lead singer's father doesn't want her involved in the record industry. The reader doesn't find out what the families of the backup singers think. The book comes to an end, but not a conclusion. Maybe the author was hoping to write a sequal.
It is a short book and would maybe be good for a young person who doesn't like to read. For a old person who does like to read (me) it was kind of a waste of my time.
It is a short book and would maybe be good for a young person who doesn't like to read. For a old person who does like to read (me) it was kind of a waste of my time.
October 8, 2012
Even before I started this book I told my husband I wished it was longer. It's just a skinny little thing, and it tells such a good story I wanted it to be much bigger. A thinly veiled depiction of the Brill Building in the Goffin/King era, this is really fun to read and I could feel the energy of the time period in the drawings and dialogue. Not easy to evoke a distinct sound (in this case, American pop music of the early 60s) in a comic, but these guys do it. Next time I wish they'd do about twice as much of it.
May 2, 2012
Lo compré pese al horrible error de sobreacentuación del título porque estaba bastante barato, a simple vista parece un comic hecho con amor, y porque creo recordar que había leído una reseña favorable por algún lado. Cuando lo lea veré si valió la pena, aunque supongo que sí.
RESPUESTA: Sí parcial. Otro día me pongo a explicar por qué termino promediando para abajo aunque es una historia bonita.
RESPUESTA: Sí parcial. Otro día me pongo a explicar por qué termino promediando para abajo aunque es una historia bonita.
June 6, 2012
This was just fine, I loved the bubbly illustration style. Although I'm not so sure what the point of this only sorta-kinda finished That Thing You Do/Hairspray/something-about-civil-rights/Destiny's Child-lite storyline. Hence the two. Not sure who it was written for, and not sure it's target audience would appreciate it -- yes, the concept of pop music has changed, but... it wanted to be to many things at once and ended up being not much really. Crabcrabcrab.
February 4, 2015
I liked the time period and subject of this graphic novel, but I really wished for something more substantial. The plot and characters are extremely simple, which IMO was a missed opportunity on the authors' part. Very little information about the culture and music of the era is given in the story, so chances are good that younger readers will be lost. The afterword doesn't help either - it is a long rant about the state of the music industry that has little bearing on the rest of the book.
February 1, 2016
Times were a changin. Pop music was coming into its own and new bands were springing up like dandelions. This graphic novel is set in the thick of this time period and reads a bit like a sitcom. Several different plot lines with some drama but no real depth. It's a quick look at the music industry and one girl band's rise to fame. Fun, but not particularly thoughtful or life changing.
May 30, 2012
I picked this book up while I was at the library waiting for a meeting. It was in our young adult section, but I would classify it as juvenile literature. It was a fun, light book probably of interest to kids who are interested in being a musician or music history.
I found this interesting and well written. I just wish that there had been a bit more to it.
I found this interesting and well written. I just wish that there had been a bit more to it.
April 6, 2014
La época dorada de los grupos femeninos recuperada en un volumen reverente, pero serio. Un trabajo que es tanto un homenaje como un testimonio de los años en que el Rock & Roll y el Rhytm & Blues dibujaban sonrisas y encendían corazones.
December 15, 2007
cute! i wanted it to be longer.
April 5, 2013
Love the story, love the style. Too short! I wanted more from the collaboration between the songwriter and Tina.
December 15, 2013
This is a wonderful story set in mid-Twentith Century urban America. It presents all the optimism, hope and benevolence found in this era.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews