Reset

by Peter Bagge

Si pudieras revivir episodios esenciales de tu vida, ¿te arriesgarías a intentar hacer las cosas mejor... aunque tus buenas intenciones sólo empeoraran todo? ¿O utilizarías tu segunda oportunidad para materializar tus más perversas y retorcidas fantasías?

Éstas son las preguntas que se hace a sí mismo el comediante y actor acabado Guy Krause cuando firma un contrato para ser el conejillo de Indias y sujeto de estudio ¡de un misterioso experimento de realidad virtual!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 9, 2013

About the author

Peter Bagge is an American cartoonist known for his irreverent, kinetic style and his incisive, black-humored portrayals of middle-class American youth. He first gained recognition with Neat Stuff, which introduced characters such as Buddy Bradley, Girly-Girl, and The Bradleys, and followed it with Hate, his best-known work, which ran through the 1990s and later as annuals. Bagge’s comics often exaggerate the frustrations, absurdities, and reduced expectations of ordinary life, combining influences from Warner Brothers cartoons, underground comix, and classic cartoonists like Bob Clampett, Tex Avery, and Robert Crumb. Beyond satire and fiction, Bagge has produced fact-based comics journalism, biographies, and historical comics, contributing to outlets such as suck.com, MAD Magazine, toonlet, Discover, and Reason. His biographical works include Woman Rebel, about Margaret Sanger, Fire!!, on Zora Neale Hurston, and Credo, on Rose Wilder Lane. Bagge has collaborated with major publishers including Fantagraphics, DC Comics, Dark Horse, and Marvel, producing works such as Yeah!, Sweatshop, Apocalypse Nerd, Other Lives, and Reset. He has also worked in animation, creating Flash cartoons and animated commercials, and has been active as a musician in bands such as The Action Suits and Can You Imagine. Bagge’s signature art style is elastic, energetic, and exaggerated, capturing movement and comic expression in a way that amplifies both humor and social commentary. His personal politics are libertarian, frequently reflected in his comics and essays, and he has been a longtime contributor to Reason magazine. Bagge’s work combines biting satire, historical insight, and a relentless visual inventiveness, making him a central figure in American alternative comics for over four decades.

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guy Krause is a washed up movie star with no money who is chosen to take part in a strange scientific experiment: what if he could go back in his life to an earlier time and relive it knowing what he knows now? Faced with his past or a future that involves reality TV, Guy opts for the experiment, plugging into a machine and being sent back in virtual reality. But what is the purpose of this machine, who built it, and why was Guy picked?

I generally like Peter Bagge’s stuff and “Reset” was no different but the story felt a bit half-baked. On the one hand Bagge does a fine job of creating mystery in the story such as who is funding such a weird experiment and what is it really for, along with the shady characters who appear periodically. On the other hand, he drops the ball answering those conceits, providing dull, if not easy, answers that feel like Bagge just didn’t care or have the imagination to come up with something more creative.

It might be that Bagge is so used to making fun of dramatic storylines in a comedic way and writing stories about everyday people, that he’s unable to fully commit to writing his own dramatic storyline. The best parts of the book were when Guy was dealing with his crappy life, familiar writing territory for Bagge, rather than getting involved in a convoluted plot about pseudo-time-travel machines and conspiracies which read unconvincingly.

“Reset” is a decent read which had me turning the pages to the end, and I cared about Guy, but I felt certain plot elements were handled clumsily and the very weak final act does the book no favours. Bagge’s known for his humour but unfortunately there’s little evidence of it in the book. The ending is weak and too easy, even stereotypical, and what could’ve been a thoughtful book ends up becoming disappointingly shallow.

[Peter Derk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is such a weird book because an amazing thing is introduced, but it's introduced to a very Peter Bagge character, so it's sort of like there's this amazing thing and nobody gives a shit?

Basically there's like full-sensory VR where people can re-live their lives in pretty accurate detail. They can make alternative choices and so on, but most of the visuals and sensations are the same (unless you go down a drastically different path and so on).

So it's odd because the main character is pretty unenthusiastic about something that's pretty amazing, but at the same time, maybe that's the whole point of the book: What if we put an extremely Gen-X character, complete with hard apathy, into a situation that should be sort of amazing?

In another writer's hands, I can see exactly how this would go: The person would re-live their life, but at some point would be like, "I can't just redo the past, I need to DO the future!" And we sorta get there, but also sorta don't, but it would feel totally uncharacteristic of this book to be over-the-top sunshine-y about the whole affair.

You know what technology I am the most backwards on? Wireless headphones. That shit is dumb.

One, how far away are you ever going to be from your music device?
Two, why have a headphone that needs to be charged when it's going to be paired with something else that ALSO needs to be charged?
Three, for the cost of AirPods, I can get...7 pairs of wired earbuds?
Four, why are we letting manufacturers convince us that having anything other than a universal headphone adapter is a good thing? When it's universal, I can use the same listening device on anything. I can buy nice headphones and use them on any device rather than buying shitty buds that work with only one device.
Five, wired earbuds don't tend to fall in the toilet.
Six, it ties you to a phone, which is terrible.
Seven, they all look very silly.
Eight, Apple buds never stay in my ears. Ever. And how do you test out buds and find out if they work? It's not like I can just go somewhere and cram a 3D printed version into my ear and dance around. Although someone should make that an option...
Nine, I'm out, I thought I could make ten, but we're quitting at 9. Really at 8.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Also did a quick reread of this in the last few weeks. I always liked Bagge's NEAT STUFF and later followed him through the iterations of HATE. This is a nice, simple story - nothing profound but still nicely done - Guy Krause, a washed-up second-rate comedy actor (with a road rage arrest and spousal abuse charge in his past), agrees to make some quick cash test-driving a strange, virtual-reality type device for a shadowy group. But the motives of the individuals running the program may not be what they presented them as, and even the intermediaries that work with Guy may have been lied to. Can Guy (one of Bagge's patented modern misanthropes) maneuver his way through extended, directed, interactive forays into the most problematic events of his past (girlfriends, business problems, death of a parent, that "spousal abuse" moment), especially once he can't hit the "reset" button any more?

Like I said - an enjoyable read. It was interesting seeing Bagge working his rubbery, cartoonish, expressive style in what is essentially something like a workplace sitcom setting (so, more talking heads and character beats than opportunities for wild gesticulations, mostly). Also, as I'm reviewing the "collected version" but rereading the actual issues, I would mention that I distinctly remember thinking that this story was very well paced for a monthly mini-series, unfolding its events in a way that kept you wondering just where the book was going.

Again, not profound or anything, but some nice reflections on how reexamining your past, in a non-obsessive way, can help you move into the future.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, so this doesn't really match up with what the back cover text says. The concept of a man using a VR experience to re-experience his life is the basic concept, but the story veers off in short order, focusing more on the people behind the experiment rather than exploring what happens to a person who gets a chance to make different choices in a virtual recreation of their life. It's still interesting, and the few moments it does go off on its supposed main plot are interesting, but it's the interaction between washed-up actor Guy Krause and the experiment coordinator Angela Minor that really centers the plot, as she feels qualms about what she's putting him through. There's growth on both sides, and a decent resolution that makes it an okay read, as long as you can accept it straying from the synopsis.

[Chelsea Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you consider yourself pro-capitalist you probably didn't like "Sorry to Bother You" and if you're not a libertarian you probably will find the "mild government torture program" conceit here equally as far-fetched. I've enjoyed reading Bagge's biographies of iconoclasts; here, his protagonist is a poor-me regular guy who has regular dark spots in his past that are capitalized on. I do know our government tortured people, and that DARPA exists, etc., and I enjoyed the budding Married-with-Children-like non-romance-romance, but all the characters kind of devolve into samey-self-abnegation by the end. The story has less outer space in it than the cover suggests.

[Ruz El · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a nice surprise. From the cover you can expect this one to be about virtual reality, and since it's from Peter Bagge you can expect it to be a satire. A comic book about virtual reality leave the artist open to all kinds of wonderment and craziness, which is why this one was such a nice surprise. It's completely grounded, brutally grounded, in examining VR's effect on ones emotional state if they were able to relive parts of their lives. It makes for a great book.

[Joseph Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's like someone took the time machine to correct your mistakes concept, and instead showed a cathartic go through of what might really have happened if you knew everything in advance. It goes not where you expect it to, so it will be dissatisfying for some. Plus the ending seems abrupt.

I quite enjoyed the concept of seeing the difference between the way certain people present themselves vs how things are in reality.

[Mutant Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty similar in concept to Ken Grimwood’s Replay (oddly similar title too). It starts off strong and the idea is definitely engaging (What if you could go back and do it all over again, with some high-tech help?) But overall, there’s not a ton of depth to the secondary characters or the big questions the premise brings up. It’s a fun and quick read, and Bagge’s style is always great, but it didn’t leave much of a lasting impression.

[Geoff Winston Leghorn Balme · Rating 5 out of 5]

P bagge has long been a favorite story teller and artist. I’ve been reading his stuff, much of it neat, for around 30 yrs. I wrote him a letter once and he answered me! Underground comics were a revelation and underscored meaningful bits of my prole experiences. Anyway this little book is a gas. Enjoy!

[Elia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was really not sure what to expect with this one, but I ended up enjoying it despite the very ugly art and gratuitous nudity. It was actually engaging and I found myself rooting for the down on his luck washed up comedian who becomes a test subject for new technology that would allow him to virtually re-do his life.

[Donny Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

You could say it is an interesting read.

[King Can Pepsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolute snooze fest but holy shit can this guy draw

[Alicia SG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una curiosa y futurista forma de tratar las patologías mentales inmerso su característico estilo. Muy entretenido.

[Rogue Male · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/10

[Simon Wigzell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bad: Why is there a virtual reality machine in this comic at all? It makes no sense to me, and neither to the people inside the book who are constantly arguing about what they are going to use it for. There's even an attempt to hint at sinister forces which will use it for "interrogation" (shades of waterboarding in the tone) even though nothing whatsoever seems to indicate it would be useful in that scenario, t least not as they are testing it.

Also, I can't help thinking Bagge's grey tone shading looks pretty boring/bland to look at.

Good: I really like Bagge when he focuses on relations and people talking, like in the sequence where Guy and his new girlfriend talks in his bed. More of that, less of the silly computers.

A 3 it gets; compared to Bagge's "Other Lives" it is a strong one, compared to "Neat Stuff" a weak one. So at least Bagge is heading in the right direction again :-)

[David Kiersh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish Peter Bagge was as big as Matt Groening because I'd prefer to watch his show. I can't get enough of Bagge's comic books!

I first started reading Peter Bagge's comics in the 1990's, when I was still a teenager. HATE was one of the best alternative comics ever and I still think Bagge's work is completely unique. In my opinion, he is one of the best writer's in all of comics. His books have a sitcom like feel to them that I love...in some ways the experience is more like watching a play for me than reading a comic.

I've read every book Bagge has published and I am never disappointed. At this point, I know what to expect form his art. I love it, but it has become secondary. What shines is Bagge's knack as a writer that is able to tell mature and humorous stories.

Give RESET a try. You won't be disappointed. This is great stuff and Bagge has not lost his edge.

[Miguel Jiménez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia que nunca decae en su propósito de entretener con el humor y el argumento original planteado. Puede que el tema se haya visto en otra parte, pero el hecho de añadir al ambiente un comediante acabado y un humor absurdo que se disfruta en cada uno de sus diálogos -a veces situaciones-, lo hace algo nuevo y digno de ser un cómic de humor trabajado -se aleja de aquellas típicas historias de "hacer reír por hace reír", sin una historia principal que lo mueva y sólo pensar en chistes con fórmula, con librito, casi.

Un libro que me ha gustado y conseguido estar dentro de mis favoritos en el ámbito del humor.

[Jeff Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to a 3.5, this tells the story of an admittedly washed-up comedian who gets involved in a government project allowing you to mentally relive your life, and it comes with a reset button for when things go awry. While there's a lot of good here, the shortish comic ultimately lacks any real coherency or clear point. The messages that could be put forward are there in theory, but never explored enough.

Still worth reading as is most of Bagge's work, but a misstep in comparison to his better work.

[Robert Hudder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This weekend, my eldest kid and I went on a comic reading morning on Sunday. This was the first one that I picked up and WOW. I've read Bagge before but nothing recent. His style has developed somewhat and no longer does the veiny eyeballs and loopy noses rein over all characterizations.

This is a science fiction novel that touches on surveillance, torture and relationships. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes memento or Philip K. Dick novels. This was fun and made me think about what is going on in terms of government control right now. Lots of fun.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter Bagge has been in my top ten for decades now, I've read and enjoyed pretty much everything he's ever done. I enjoyed this too, but it is a serious departure from the farce and satire he is known for. Reset is a piece of straight-faced, psychological science fiction, in the vein of Philip K. Dick. It isn't funny, nor does it attempt to be. This is disorienting, as his artwork has always been about expressing emotional people in situations that are both commonplace and absurd.

[Peter Landau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Bagge continues to make comics that are funny and angry. RESET is a collection about a washed-up celebrity who gets to relive his life staged by a mysterious organization developing a virtual-reality machine for reasons never made fully clear. The story was first published in a series of comic books, and maybe there are more that I’m aware of that fill the holes in the storyline, but like all of Bagge’s work, it’s engaging, humorous and uncomfortably relatable.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two things: (1) This is my first experience with Peter Bagge, and although I'm sure this is probably not his best work and maybe not the best place to start, I still enjoyed it.
(2) I really appreciated Bagge's NOT going where I thought he was going and the way he explores so many ideas at once. I definitely will place Bagge high on my "To Read" list.

[Mark Schlatter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I reread the comics, considering whether or not I should keep the series. The answer was no. I think Bagge is exploring some interesting ideas here on virtual reality and emotional catharsis, but the story feels jumbly and stops and starts on a regular basis (partly because the characters themselves don't fully understand what's going on).

[Johara Almogbel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this, it was a good way to pass time on the airplane, and a not bad addition to the few graphic novels I've read.

[Daniel Hooker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange, Total Recall-esque story about a washed up celebrity. The art's kinda gross and unsympathetic and the story doesn't go anywhere.

[David Sanz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parte de una premisa muy interesante pero acaba divagando y yéndose por las ramas. No es el Baggge que recuerdo.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fortuitous library find :)

Sadly the art was good but the story sucked!

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but not memorable. The average graphic novel?

[Kazriko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent, though short story. It's a bit anti-climactic though by the end, but it was pretty good overall.

[Rob Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bagge's best since "Hate." Hilarious and clever.