Kriek, Eric. Gutsman comics; vol. 1

Kliatt, Nov, 2004 by George Galuschak

KRIEK, Eric. Gutsman comics; vol. 1. Gutsman Comics. 125p. illus. c2004. 90-5492-098-X. $14.95. A

Gutsman is the work of Erik Kriek, an artist from Amsterdam, and it offers a spoof of superhero comics with some amusing innovations. There are no words in Gutsman; the characters talk to each other in pictures. Also, Erik is a character in his own comic, a bald, beefy man with a beard and glasses and a tendency to drive drunk on his bicycle.

Gutsman wears black and white tights and is engaged to Tigra, who dresses in a cat-suit. Trouble arrives when Tigra's parents, Ocelotta and Felix, come to dinner. Gutsman and Felix get into an argument; Gutsman slugs Felix; Tigra calls off the wedding and kicks Gutsman out. Gutsman, devastated, visits his mother, Gutsma, who reveals a terrible secret--she and her husband found Gutsman in a basket when he was just a baby. Unfortunately, Gutsma dies before telling Gutsman who his real parents are. Meanwhile Tigra starts dating Erik, unaware that her little sister Leona has a crush on Erik also. Leona tails them on their date and manages to take her sister's place. Erik is so drunk he can't tell the difference. By this time Gutsman is in skid row, swilling cheap booze with Devil Man and Mr. Mort, until a chance meeting with Erik puts him back in contact with Tigra. To be continued in Gutsman #2 ...

Gutsman is a funny, quirky read. If your library has a sizeable graphic novel collection, or you want to stretch your collection beyond the usual superhero and manga material, this title is worth a try. Gutsman contains semi-nudity (topless women), adult situations and drunken men riding bicycles. George Galuschak, YA Libn., Montvale P.L., Montvale, NJ