My Own Little Empire [Paperback]

Scott Mills (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 24, 2003

A romantic comedy of love unrequited, Empire is Scott's first work for AdHouse Books and his most personal work to date. Taking place during the 1990's, we get to see "Joe" (aka Scott) take in a Morrissey concert, experiment with drugs and yearn for a girl. My Own Little Empire is your chance to see how one of the most prolific comic creators today spent his teenage years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: AdHouse Books (February 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972179410
• ISBN-13: 978-0972179416
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,667,339 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HUGELY IDENTIFYABLE!, July 7, 2005

By 

Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: My Own Little Empire (Paperback)

"My Own Little Empire" is one of those very personal and thoughtful books that make the small and alternative press so enjoyable to read. Scott Mills' self-described minimalist style and artful use of zip-a-tone blend for a unique cartooning style, at once rough around the edges and yet appropriate for the subject matter. "My own Little Empire" is a 90's story of directionless teens from Mills' own experiences. Pete, Roger, Paul, Roop, Kevin, Joey, Seth and a few others do what teens do: dick around in cars, hang out at the mall for no early reason, attend concerts, and goof off in school.

I'm not sure there's an age barrier here. I knew guys like this when I was in high school in the late 70's and I think most can relate to the issues touched on. The central theme is Joey's unrequited love for Jackie and her seeming willingness to return the affection, but doesn't want to her current boyfriend, Rupert. Likewise, Joey's afraid the massive Roop will pound him if he finds out. We all probably had a similar unrequited love in your own high school experiences.

The strips range from the sadness of Joey's love for Jackie to the outrageous as Joey, Roger, and Pete all try acid and Joey suddenly remembers he was supposed to inventory and re-organize the store where he works, with predictably disastrous results. Couple the acid induced paranoia with a road trip to an old, abandoned hospital, and Scott Mills takes readers on quite a ride. It harkens me back to when I was in college and there was an abandoned mental facility with tunnels underground that we used to stupidly frequent and party in. Scott delivered a blow of deja-vu there! I found myself liking this book much more than I thought I would. It's as simplistic as can be yet its themes hit the mark dead on target.

Reviewed by Tim Janson