Snakepit 2007 & Snakepit 2008

Book Reviews | Dec 3rd, 2009

Author: Ben Snakepit
Publisher: Microcosm Publishing
Genre: Mini-Comic
Pages: 100 pages each
Retail Price: $6
Buy On Amazon.com

These two volumes continue Ben Snakepit’s daily three-panel adventures of going to work, getting drunk/stoned, and watching tv. I am impressed that Ben is still chronicling his daily routine after all these years; I just wish that his expression of it were more interesting.

It’s not that Ben’s life is boring – he’s kind of living the Peter Pan punk rock dream – but the repetitive “I did this, then I did that, then I did this” could benefit from insight, humor, self-reflection, imagination, something! It’s disappointing because his full-length comics in Razorcake show a quick wit and interesting take on things; for some reason, that’s missing from his day-to-day journal.

Helping to redeem the books somewhat is his endearingly cutesy illustration style and unrelentingly happy tone. You can’t help but root for the guy, and it looks like 2007 and 2008 have served him well with steady employment, an uncomplicated love life, and a new puppy. Of course, that also means no interesting challenges or obstacles to report, other than a nasty case of hoof-and-mouth disease (for him, not the puppy).

Bottom Line: Ben Snakepit’s consistency and unshakably simple outlook on life are admirable but not engaging.
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