Customer Reviews

The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green

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Author Eric Orner has his finger (ahem) on the pulse of Gay America. His character, Ethan Green, is a kind of gay Everyman. He makes wrong choices in dating, fashion and sexual positions. But we love him anyway. Because he is us. And we are him. We bottoms of the world really should unite, at least for brunch some Sunday afternoon. I say, July in Provincetown.

"The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green," by Eric Orner, is a series of comic strips that focus on the book's title character: a young gay man. Because there are some continuous story elements, the book almost reads like a graphic novel. The copyright page notes that the book's contents have copyright dates from 1990 to 1992.

Orner fleshes out Ethan's world with some entertaining supporting characters, such as his friend Buck and lesbian couple Liza and Beth. But my favorite supporting character is Madame Zolna, Ethan's deliciously sarcastic "psychic" advisor; the Zolna episodes have real bite.

Along the way Orner satirizes love, dating, politics, "outing," sex, representations of gays in popular culture, and other topics. Celebrities (like Madonna and Kitty Kelly) are occasionally spoofed. Orner's drawing style is fun, quirky, and occasionally a bit raunchy. Overall, this is a witty, intelligent, compassionate, and very entertaining glimpse at gay life. Essential reading for fans of cutting-edge comics.

I am a huge Ethan Green fan and so are my friends. It was great to have this in our collection.