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Soundtrack: An Artbabe Collection
by Jessica Abel
Soundtrack collects the best of Jessica Abel's self-published Artbabe series, one of the most exciting comic books to emerge in the late-1990s. The first four were self-xeroxed efforts, and led to a prestigious Xeric Grant in 1996, enabling her to publish a more professionally packaged fifth issue. This volume presents the best of these five comic books, as well as other short strips, to a larger audience for the first time. Abel's stories are peppered with hipsters, fashion, and trendy locales - all of which have contributed to her considerable appeal - but don't let the generational trappings fool you. Her intuitive ear for dialogue and characterization have made Artbabe a hit amongst people of all ages, especially women.
TP, 120pg, b&w
Soundtrack collects the best of Jessica Abel's self-published Artbabe series, one of the most exciting comic books to emerge in the late-1990s. The first four were self-xeroxed efforts, and led to a prestigious Xeric Grant in 1996, enabling her to publish a more professionally packaged fifth issue. This volume presents the best of these five comic books, as well as other short strips, to a larger audience for the first time. Abel's stories are peppered with hipsters, fashion, and trendy locales - all of which have contributed to her considerable appeal - but don't let the generational trappings fool you. Her intuitive ear for dialogue and characterization have made Artbabe a hit amongst people of all ages, especially women.
TP, 120pg, b&w
100 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
111 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Abel
55 books159 followersAuthor and coach Jessica Abel is the author of Growing Gills, Out on the Wire, La Perdida, and two textbooks about making comics, Drawing Words & Writing Pictures and Mastering Comics. Abel’s latest work of fiction is the Eisner-nominated Trish Trash: Rollergirl of Mars.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 29, 2016
I suspect I've been hooked on Jessica Abel's work since the first I saw it. She has a confidence of art and storytelling which tends to overcome whatever flaws either might have. Now, 20 years later, it's a little hard to bear her tales of trendy Chicagoan 20-somethings, but her deft way with dialogue and her keen eye for expression and body language continue to carry every story ably.
This collection of stories is culled from her self-published run of Artbabe (but in no way is it comprehensive), as well as various other sources and includes some previously unpublished work as well. The book is loosely divided into sections, determining what stories go where, and for the most part that works. It would've done just as well to just run everything chronologically, without sections, and let the work tell its own tale of the creator's path.
Abel seems to have backed off of strict comic-creation, and this collection makes me wish a living could be made just from this sort of work, because time showed she just got better and better. This collection, though, is a snapshot of an early creator at play, experimenting and searching for a personal style and niche.
This edition is entirely black-and-white, even when reproducing the occasional colour work (which is a damn shame, because Abel's an excellent colour painter).
This collection of stories is culled from her self-published run of Artbabe (but in no way is it comprehensive), as well as various other sources and includes some previously unpublished work as well. The book is loosely divided into sections, determining what stories go where, and for the most part that works. It would've done just as well to just run everything chronologically, without sections, and let the work tell its own tale of the creator's path.
Abel seems to have backed off of strict comic-creation, and this collection makes me wish a living could be made just from this sort of work, because time showed she just got better and better. This collection, though, is a snapshot of an early creator at play, experimenting and searching for a personal style and niche.
This edition is entirely black-and-white, even when reproducing the occasional colour work (which is a damn shame, because Abel's an excellent colour painter).
May 2, 2019
Bought this at a used book store totally due to the inside artwork resembling "punk rock zines" I use to read back in high school. Speaking of, there is a visual piece about Abel attending a show at the Fireside Bowl sometime in 1995. My very first show was at the Fireside Bowl in 1997!!! Reading that piece definitely gave me warm and fuzzy feelings of nostalgia. However, the rest of the book was just okay and I'm not sure I'll ever have a desire to re-read it other than showing friend the Fireside Bowl piece.
March 2, 2018
Man, it is possible that I just don't like Jessica Abel, which really bums me out because so many writers and artists I really respect hold her in high regard. The tone in so many of these just seems mean and judgemental.
January 9, 2023
I loved this! Inspiring! Maybe me really miss the nineties.
March 1, 2020
This book feels like it combines unconnected excerpts into some makeshift volume. The art style and direction of the stories feels experimental and very hard to follow. I was bored half to death with a number of the excerpts.
Rating Update 4/6/19- 2 stars to 1 star. I liked the whole 90s era to the comics but the stories are depressing and don't make me feel anything.
Update 5 July 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a one star rating is befitting. The original original review and the rating update from April 6, 2019, conform to the new rating system.
January 20, 2020
Rating Update
One star to two stars. I believe my previous two updates were based on my current moods of the book (the color of the rating was grey with a grey outline before I began writing this rating update). They are also updates done two and a half years after having read the book. I do not have any memories of this book and the original review does not seem to lean in any direction. I have skimmed through the book and have remembered some things. When looking at the "Mek and Pot" sections, I recall going over it in class and just thinking they were strange comics.
However, remembering only the "Mek and Pot" sections that take up two pages is not enough to keep a rating for the whole volume, since nearly 98% are without a feeling. When looking at the original review, there are some hints of not liking the volume, but at least a two star-rated, neutrality or being OK with the book. Criticisms of the book include the "hard to follow" experimental style of the book, and that I was "bored half to death with a number of the excerpts".
I had originally rated the volume at two stars, which would correspond to a one star-rating presently, but I am not convinced that the original review leans towards a one star-direction. The complains in the original review could be attributed to a two star-rating. I feel that it is safer to rate the book at two stars because I am not sure if a one star-rating can be guaranteed over a two star-rating, when reading the original review.
Rating Update 4/6/19- 2 stars to 1 star. I liked the whole 90s era to the comics but the stories are depressing and don't make me feel anything.
Update 5 July 2019
With the adoption of my new rating system, a one star rating is befitting. The original original review and the rating update from April 6, 2019, conform to the new rating system.
January 20, 2020
Rating Update
One star to two stars. I believe my previous two updates were based on my current moods of the book (the color of the rating was grey with a grey outline before I began writing this rating update). They are also updates done two and a half years after having read the book. I do not have any memories of this book and the original review does not seem to lean in any direction. I have skimmed through the book and have remembered some things. When looking at the "Mek and Pot" sections, I recall going over it in class and just thinking they were strange comics.
However, remembering only the "Mek and Pot" sections that take up two pages is not enough to keep a rating for the whole volume, since nearly 98% are without a feeling. When looking at the original review, there are some hints of not liking the volume, but at least a two star-rated, neutrality or being OK with the book. Criticisms of the book include the "hard to follow" experimental style of the book, and that I was "bored half to death with a number of the excerpts".
I had originally rated the volume at two stars, which would correspond to a one star-rating presently, but I am not convinced that the original review leans towards a one star-direction. The complains in the original review could be attributed to a two star-rating. I feel that it is safer to rate the book at two stars because I am not sure if a one star-rating can be guaranteed over a two star-rating, when reading the original review.
April 23, 2008
I bought this for insanely cheap and was interested generally because I kinda sorta like Artbabe and La Perdida. Abel is definitely interested in the whole 20-something liberal bohemian scene in a way that can be annoying, but is genuine and not without insight and self-awareness. Occasionally the writing is surprisingly excellent. The story called "Jack London" was worth the purchase alone, a very well-done little piece about being lost in thought on a snowy work day that reminded me of the more effective stuff by Harvey Pekar. Recommended.
July 9, 2016
Started reading comics with Adam and Kevin. Went to the Whittaker Rd library and looked in the YA section. This is really before lots of libraries had good comics and Ypsi was the leader. Learned about Adrian Tomine, Daniel Clowes (beyond Ghost World), Julie Doucet, and Jessica Abel, who was one of my favorite women comic artists at the time. Love the energy and the story telling. Miss this feeling.
November 14, 2007
It's interesting to see the early works of Jessica Abel, although I'm not altogether too familiar with her works. I have a sordid obsession with the early 90's and the comic/music/art/queer scene so this was an interesting read for one who digs that kind of stuff. I can't really give more than 3 stars for it since, as a compendium it's quite all over the place.
February 20, 2008
Got this on a whim at Quimbys and read it the same night b/c it was so good. Collection of comics with a focus on the Chicago punk/indie scene in the 90s. Highly recommended for people into comics/graphic novels (duh), Chicago underground, feminism, indie rock, art scene, etc.
June 7, 2009
I love Abel, but this was a bit all over the place (in all fairness, it *is* a collected works). I enjoyed seeing how her style of drawing has changed over the years. Overall, worth the look but not amazing.
June 12, 2009
I'm on a graphic notvel/comic book kick and am looking for more women artists/authors. These are earlier works by Abel, who wrote the wonderful La Perdida. Those familar with Chicago will recognize some of the sites.
May 31, 2016
Great to stop, midway through some of her more recent work, and check out the best of the early and self-published works. You can see the style emerging and the attempts at finding voice through different styles of storytelling. She's an amazing talent, that's for sure.
December 11, 2016
I don't know why I loved this so much. It may have been the Paglia piece, or the closing one. The precise ear for the vernacular, the affectionate take-down of the native inhabitants in their chosen environments.
December 6, 2008
If you're into 90s feminism, hipster Chicago, or passing references to bands like The Jesus Lizard, Jessica Abel will probably be right up your alley.
October 21, 2012
Oh, my early 20's
January 26, 2008
Skip La Perdida and read her other works. She can speak more to these characters.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews