Can't Get No [Paperback]

Rick Veitch (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Within this oddly shaped book lies one of the most remarkable achievements in recent comics history. Veitch (Maximortal; Swamp Thing) has given the graphic novel medium what may just be its first long-form poem. The drawings tell the story of corporate drone Chad Roe, who is given a new outlook when a weekend bender leaves him tattooed on every inch of his body. His life is further upended when the World Trade Center, where his office is located, is destroyed. This book's distinct style shines through with the narrative captions that accompany Veitch's remarkable art. They don't contain the main character's inner monologue or a narrator's comments on the actions. Instead they present a satirical yet lyrical commentary on the modern American life Roe was very much a part of, but is suddenly removed from now that he is a walking piece of abstract art. It's a biting evisceration of the comfortable place many Americans convinced themselves they had, a conviction that was challenged on 9/11. The words and pictures move in and out of synch with each other, sometimes exemplifying the power and possibilities of comics. When they seem to be telling two different stories, it goes even further to show how several ideas can be communicated at once. Fortunately, Veitch's ideas are strong enough to justify the treatment. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up–Advertising executive Chad Roe is working on the new Eter-No-Mark permanent marker when its indelible nature causes its stock to plummet unexpectedly. Reeling with shock and disappointment, Chad wakes from ones prescribed poison binge to find himself tattooed from tip to toe with his own marker. This transformation takes place immediately before the destruction of the World Trade Center, and the combined experiences send Chad on a surreal, bacchanalian voyage of exploration of America and the inner self, culminating at a celebration modeled on the Burning Man festival. The books horizontal format creates a series of easily accessible layouts without the complicated panel tiers that can render an ordinary comic page difficult to follow. Combined with the bold line work, which effectively showcases the contrast of Chads intricate tattoo, the artwork is very legible, telling its story clearly without the need for any additional verbal narration. And good thing, too, as the narrative captions are lumbered with a series of complex metaphors and ruminations, all of which are presented in most purple prose. One of graphic literatures unique features is its ability to have two narratives take place simultaneously, one in the words and another in the images. The parallel verbal and visual narratives here have interesting conjunctions, but the short phrases and constant churn of reference make the verbal portion extremely difficult to absorb. This is a bold experiment, but its unlikely to provoke the sort of emotion or awareness for which its clearly aiming.–Benjamin Russell, The Derryfield School, Manchester, NH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Vertigo (June 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401210597
• ISBN-13: 978-1401210595
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 1 x 6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #715,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Reader Experience, June 15, 2006

By 

R. Ross (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Can't Get No (Paperback)

Don't purchase this book with the expectation that it will "read" like any other graphic novel. What Rick has created with this tale is a new model within the graphic novel art form and it takes a little getting used to. I intended to read it casually over a few days in between other things going on in my life but that didn't happen. Fifteen or twenty minutes into it I was hooked and my plans for the evening changed. It was that engrossing. I was totally engaged not only in the story but in where the book took my imagination.

To me, this felt like two different books in one package. The images tell one (or multiple) stories and the blocks of text that are superimposed over many of the frames are sometimes narrative, sometimes social commentary, sometimes pure poetry but consistently remarkable - and seemingly disconnected from what the images revealed.

I usually read the text of a comic or graphic novel first as I'm viewing the images but my usual didn't work with "Can't Get No". It was too much of a stretch to approach the book in this way. I didn't get too many pages into the story before I was forced to adapt my reading style to be able to fully appreciate this unique book. I began to consciously avoid the words and scan the odd-shaped double pages for the images only. I'd do that a few times and then let the images tell me a story.

I'd think about the images for a moment then finally read the text blocks that floated over the frames. What I had first understood was blended with what the text now suggested. Many times, my original imagining was completely different from the viewpoint I moved to by the time I turned the page. It was an surprisingly great reading experience.

Everyone I know was impacted differently by 9/11. I'm guessing most readers will respond as differently to the images and the multiple storylines suggested by this book. When I read it again I'm sure my interpretation and understanding will change.

Save this book for a time and place that affords you a few hours of quiet pleasure to really savor this one. It's well worth it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, captivating comic book, July 9, 2006

By 

Joey Narcotic "throatsprockets" (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Can't Get No (Paperback)

I've always thought that Rick Veitch is one of the most under-appreciated geniuses in comic books. Can't Get No might be his greatest achievement to date. Largely an allegory for life in the US before, during and after 9/11, this is a multi-layered work which transcends its basis in recent history.

Veitch's device of disassociating word and image is brilliant. He's used similar devices before, both in his metatextual superhero stories like Brat Pack and The One and in his superb Rare Bit Fiends dream comics, but this is his most experimental work yet and it works like a charm.

This comic is destined to be pored over by English Lit. masters students as avidly as any work of poetry or literature. An unqualified masterpiece.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Can Get This!, May 1, 2008

By 

Victor R. Casados "VRC" (Grass Valley, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Can't Get No (Paperback)

I happen to think that Rick Veitch is one of the most talented people in comics - ever. It is not hard to find excellent artists or writers. It is VERY difficult to find people who are exceptional in both areas. Rick Veitch is one such person.

Can't Get No tells a story about the transformation of a man that starts (literally) on his exterior and eventually suffuses him - and makes him better. Not an uncommon theme, but told in an uncommon way. Entirely pictorial and beautifully evocative, the story comes ringing clear and true. This is one that will stick in your head, and I am personally grateful to see it back in print. I had dreams about the story weeks later!
Pick up this classic.