imageEvery so often a comic book comes around that changes the way you look at life. This is one of those comics. Yes it is. Don’t argue with me, I’m a superstar. Welcome to the world of Gregory, the cutest li’l mental patient you’ve ever seen. Once you see the world through Gregory’s eyes, you’ll never be the same.

The so-called real world is for suckers!

Synopsis-This folio is a collection of short stories recounting the trials and tribulations of Gregory and his life inside the loony bin. The only friends that Gregory has are Herman the Vermin and Wendall, two putrilesent rats that infest his cell. Wendell is the shy, quiet one, and Herman’s the man’s man (rat’s rat? I dunno). Herman repeatedly dies, but inevitably gets reincarnated again as a rat. I think this might be some deep transcendental statement about eastern philosophy, but probably not. Numerous other characters play bit parts in Gregory’s life: wardens, psychiatrists, and Greg’s therapist. They’re all outsiders in the story; Gregory’s the star here (as one might guess seeing as how the name of the book is Gregory). They don’t understand Gregory, he doesn’t understand them, and that’s the way it’s going to stay. His tiny cell is all that he knows, everything outside of it frightens him silly…er…. sillier. The big climax of the book comes when Gregory gets released from his cell and forced to confront the real world.

imageMarc Hempel does a helluva lot with very little. Dialogue is somewhat sparse (Gregory can only say ‘Gub-Gub’ and ‘I, Gregory’), the artwork is minimalist, and the stories don’t often venture away from Greg’s cell. With these bare essentials, Hempel mixes up a big salad of hilarity, if you will. Most of the humor is black humor, but come on, you have to expect that in a book about asylum life. The main conflict is always Greg’s World vs. Real World. Gregory’s home might be small and filthy (just like mine) but it is his home. Small, seemingly insignificant events in the cell become epics. Entire stories focus on things like the cell window being opened in spring, and Gregory running in a circle until he gets dizzy and collapses. See, it’s the small pleasures in life that mean the most. Gregory realizes this because he is young and innocent. Then again, if you couldn’t talk and your best friend was a rat swimming with disease, them the opening of a window would be a pretty big whoop for you too. We only get small glimpses of the outside world through Greg’s eyes, and it looks horrible. Everything is dangerous; everyone is a gigantic, uncaring ucky monster. Don’t we all see that aspect of the world sometimes? It’s usually Monday mornings for me. Actually sometimes Tuesday and Wednesday mornings as well, but you get the point.

imageNow here comes the real important part. Heeeavy, man. People try to ‘cure’ Gregory, attempting to make him conform to what society thinks he should be. Greg is stoic (in a retarded sort of way) and resists change by crying, kicking his feet or peeing on himself. Greg doesn’t hate the playa; he hates the game. See, the truth is that Gregory doesn’t need to be normal, or intelligent, or even sane. He’s so much happier being himself. Phooey on society, shine on you crazy, loony diamond you. Greg’s innocent and stupid nature makes him a very endearing character. This is a very cute book, not cute in a Disney-esque repulsively cute way, but heartwarming nonetheless. Greg’s a sort of a mental everyman figure, or maybe an inner child. I think maybe everyone has a little Gregory inside. All good folks anyway. The rest of you were born with the evil gene, which means you’re stupid jerks.

Conclusion: It’s hard to describe why, but this is a really, really great book. You will read it. You will like it. You will be entertained. Scout’s honor, just buy Gregory and prepare yourself for a walk on the crazy side of life. Escapism inside a cell! It’s brilliant!

-Future

What other staff members think:

Warhol: A shocking post-modernist vilification of today’s society!!! Ha ha. I’m just talking out my ass again!

Tobita: Tobita watch crazy cell good Much surprise in small box. Dangerously cunning like arch-rival Ken, The Box. Learn you trick and smash, Tobita will!

imageMore Information on Gregory:
Rezension: Gregory
The Dreaming: The Discussion: Marc Hempel Interview
Another (longer) Interview
Marc Hempel Biography