Customer Reviews

My Own Little Empire

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"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