From Publishers Weekly
Several of LaBan's "Unsupervised Existence" stories are collected here in a friendly tribute to Danny, a lovable cabdriver/philosopher; Suzy, an unemployed tender-heart; and their group of eccentric buddies. LaBan's urbane and poignant vignettes are brilliantly illustrated in a style that can best be described as natural?at least insofar as the cityscape setting and the slacker lifestyles of the cabdriver-poets, New Age followers and lesbian rock stars who people the pages. While there are few actual conclusions to any of the ongoing episodes in the collection, the reader won't be disappointed: a simple kiss, a character's frustration, make it seem all the more true to life. The dialogue is evocative and realistic, whether it is that of a woman who gets an abortion or Danny and Suzy during tender lovemaking. LaBan is particularly sensitive to the issues of modern romance, labor disputes and sexual experimentation. Here he has woven a net of characters that rank with such cartoons as Alison Bechdel's Dykes to Watch Out For and Stan Mack's Real Life Funnies.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Now that alternative comix artist LaBan's Cud is firmly established, his former publisher, Fantagraphics, collects from his earlier magazine, Tales of Unsupervised Existence, these stories about a circle of overeducated, underemployed twentysomethings. LaBan's current work is sharper and more outrageous than these stories, which are gentler slice-of-life tales centered mostly on Danny, a cabbie and unpublished poet, and commitment-shy, perpetually job-hunting Suzy, his girlfriend, as they ponder such issues as monogamy, poverty, and uncooperative landlords. The ambience is more latter-day hippie than Generation X slacker (the latter's been pretty much sewn up for comix by LaBan's Fantagraphics stablemate, Peter Bagge, anyway). Unfortunately, the collection ends at a turning point for the couple that coincided with Unsupervised Existence's cancellation. Would it have been too much to ask LaBan for a new story resolving the situation? It would have made this a more satisfying package. Still, it's impressive to see LaBan's graphic and storytelling techniques sharpen over the six years during which this stuff was published. Gordon Flagg
