Manor Threat: Snake Pit Comics 2013-2015

by Ben Snakepit

Manor Threat , Ben Snakepit's latest collection of daily diary comics, takes place in the town of Manor, a suburb of Austin, Texas. Ben buys a house with his wife and adjusts to slow-paced country living. He also turns 40 and gets a new job, and then gets another job. Along the way, every day without fail, he draws a three-panel comic describing each day's events. Against that steady march of time, patterns emerge and shift and the result is a meditative, addictive read that captures the humanity of everyday life.

Genres: Comics, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2016

About the author

Ben is best known as the creator of Snakepit zine. Snakepit is a comic zine that features a three panel comic about each day of Ben's life. In interviews Ben has cited Jim's Journal by Scott Dikkers, a comic that appeared in The Onion, as his initial inspiration, although Dikker's comic was fictional, while Ben's is factual. Some issues of Snakepit have appeared as a split with zines such as Clutch, Tight Pants, Amazing Adult Fantasy and Gullible. Contributors to Snakepit have included Janelle Hessig of Tales Of Blarg. The zine was published quarterly until 2006.

In addition, Ben released the zine in one-year anthologies from 2001 to 2004. Snakepit was first published in book form by Gorsky Press in 2004. Entitled The Snake Pit Book, it featuring three years of Ben Snakepit's comic life, with a foreword by Aaron Cometbus. A second book of Snakepit comics, My Life In A Jugular Vein, published by Young American Comics, appeared in 2007. After the release of this book, Ben decided to return to the one-year anthology format with the release of Snakepit 2007 in spring of 2008, and subsequently Snakepit 2008 is anticipated in 2009.
Ben has released two one shot zines, Pills and Going To California.
Ben's work has also appeared in zines such as Capitol City 'Zine Compilation and Twenty-Four Hours and he has been interviewed in zines such as Comixville. As well, he writes a regular column for Razorcake zine.
Ben Snakepit is also a musician and has played with a number of bands including J Church. In 2006, J Church released a split single with the band Off With Their Heads, of which zinester Nate Gangelhoff is a member.

Reviews

[J.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was trying to explain Snakepit comics to a friend the other day, and I realized that although it doesn't SOUND especially compelling, it somehow IS compelling.

While earlier years of Ben's life were more entertaining to follow (heavy drug use, alcohol consumption and constant touring with punk bands made for some great stories), I find the comics no less absorbing now that he's gotten married, moved to the suburbs, curbed his weed smoking and drinking and even started exercising.

There's something about the natural unadorned rhythm of his life that still manages to fascinate. I was once a friend and occasional roommate, but now that we live very far apart I'm able to catch up on his life through Snakepit.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s so much to like about this collection of daily autobiographical comic strips.

As an aging punk and closet metal head I loved the daily playlist. It made me think “ Oh yeah ! I haven’t heard that band in ages ( Born Against). Or “wow. Ben’s got great taste in music. (World Burns to death)”.

What may appear to be a chronicle of the tedium of daily existence is actually full of spark, love, creativity, art, and a general desire to live a life of purpose. Sure, we get plenty of panels of Ben drinking craft beer, eating take out and watching Star Trek but it is balanced with a love for his wife and dog, a keen commitment to DIY ethics and problem solving and a life full of music and comics ( his passions).

I’m roughly the same age as Ben. I listen to the same bands and read comix as a 49 year old.I grew up publishing zines and hanging out at punk shows. Manor’s a lot like my town. I feel like we could be friends in an alternative universe.

Support Microcosm and independent creators and publishers. I try to. I ordered this from an independent bookstore in a city close to me. I plan to check out their back catalogue.

Recommended without reservation. A great book. 5/5

[Emilia P · Rating 5 out of 5]

SNAKEPIT WHEN CAN WE BE FRIENDS.

I know nothing about punk lyfe, but I, like you, moved out of North Centralish Austin (almost) into the burbs. Though I went the Cedar Park direction, and uhhh Manor is pretty far out there! But now I'm like....huh, it sounds cool. I'm glad you are still eating pizza and drinking a little less beer and being pretty nice to your wife. I read this, also, when I was exercising a lot and I was like yeah, you go! Work out!

But anyway, beyond the minutae I personally identified with, it is kind of amazing how good B.S. is at getting into the rhythm of regular old life, lulling you into it, making you feel hungry and happy and existentially nostalgic and hopeful all at once.

Man, I was in Austin for most of this book. Still blows my mind. ANYWAY. MANOR THREAT. <3 <3 <3 Snakepit Fiend Forever.

[Jessica Poundstone]

The Proust of comics.....that is incremental changes, much quotidianness

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER HIT straight outta Manor, TX

[BRAIN_QUEEN]

NEVER A SECOND OF DISAPPOINTMENT