Customer Reviews

Chester Square: Love and Rockets Vol 13

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chester Square is #13 in the complete Love and Rockets collection, and is written and illustrated by Jaime Hernandez. These L n' R collections are satisfying because they give you a significant chunk of our heroines' lives (and occasional dreams or fantasies). The stories are not always linear and not all the same, so there is no need to start with L and R #1. Los Bros Hernandez had not yet fully developed their voices with their first issues. In fact, I recommend you just grab a collection and start reading (this or "Wigwam Bam" are good places to start). If you like a character or storyline, you can continue to pursue it through some of the other trade paperbacks. Things are much easier to follow in book form than in the comic books.

In "Chester Square," star Hernandez Brother, Jaime, is in fine form and at the peak of his powers. These stories concern the realistic life of former punk-rock chica Maggie (aka Perlita, aka Perla, aka the Maggot, aka Margarita, etc) in her California home and some sketchy areas nearby. In Chester Square she clashes with locals, has a crushing realization of other's perceptions of her, and finds revenge isn't always what it's cracked up to be. She also spends some time with her tia (aunt) who was a pro wrestler and now is a respected wrestling coach. The wrestling stuff is cool, but it's not the main focus. Maggie's internal struggles are the true crux of the story.

Hernandez breathes life into everything in his comics in a way which is almost uncanny. With a few perfect illustrations, he creates a place, Chester Square, and suddenly new characters begin peering at us (and our heroine, Maggie) from dusty doorways. When Xaime draws a group of four women, each person has a perfectly rendered, individual body type. In Jaime's illustrations, all types can be beautiful, and they often are. He still amazes me when he captures a human look or body type I've never seen drawn before. As you read, you'll realize each of these characters has a fully formed personality, way of speaking and personal history. And you'll probably want to know more about all of them.

If you're like most readers, you'll care a lot about Maggie and Hopey. This book is from Maggie's perspective, and for the most part, you really get a chance to get inside her head. And who is usually there? Long time friend, and sometime lover, Hopey. Will they ever realize they should go to Canada and get married? I hope so. Everyone else does!

From the super-cool first splash page, where "Xaime" signs his name on the actual Chester Square motel sign (complete with missing letter) to the semi-resolved relief of the ending, this book is pure sequential literature of the highest quality.

Highly recommended.

Chester Square was my first L&R book. I've read almost all of them now, and while the stories in Chester Square are even looser than most L&R's, this has some of Jaime's best art and Maggie is truly at her finest. If you like L&R, especially if you dig Maggie and Hopey - buy Chester Square.

If you haven't read Love & Rockets, start here. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is loose, funny, sad, and unlike anything you're read before. Jaime Hernandez writes women better than just about anyone. And he knows when to stop drawing and move on to the next panel.

The only drawback is the length --- I wish he'd write a full-size, 500-page graphic novel. Something that takes a few days to read. Chester Square is a hint of what that would be like.

It's been 4 yrs since Love & Rockets ended and I'm alomst over it. For the uninitiated Love & Rockets is the most fulfilling experience you'll ever have with paper. Over 15 yrs something amazing was created by the Hernandez Bros. and Chester Square wraps up one part, that which follows the lives and loves of probably the most endearing women in modern American fiction, Maggie and Hopey. Chester Square is an extremely satisfying experience which focusses on a confused Maggie as she tries life without Hopey. The end wraps everything up so beautifully that you'll weep tears of joy. Make sure you read the follow up series "Penny Century" as it just gets better.