Adrian Tomine's New Yorker Cover
I really like this cover illustration by Adrian Tomine for the New Yorker (Feb 25, 2008). I like it so much that I’m going to talk about each frame right now. This will be sort of like ‘brain storming.’
[Going in conventional reading order]
I. I like that the writer is female, kinda seems like it would be lame it if was a male. I like that she has a white Macbook because I’m always suspicious of people who have the more powerful RAM-type black Macbook. Is Apple trying to invert racism by making the black one better? I bet those post-its and pieces of paper on the wall are supposed to be notes, like “chapter. 4, Emile dies,” or “no similes!”
II. I also like that the agent is colored (damn, I don’t think “colored” is the right word — though I’m thinking more of “coloring book” since it’s a cartoon). He seems either Indian or Filipino or Mexican. (Is it funny how you’re either black, white, or brown — and how brown is ‘every other race’?) I don’t like how the binder-clip is in the middle of the manuscript, seems unrealistic.
III. I like how the editor-in-chief is a white bald guy. With the female writer, colored agent, I think Tomine was like “I need to lay off the social progressiveness here,” and just put a white guy in the big chair. Where the hell did the binder-clip go? Chris Ware would never miss such details.
IV. I don’t know much about printing. Do they really use conveyor belts like they’re making donuts or something? Maybe the conveyor belt is the universal “mass production” motif.
V. At the new releases table, they always prop a book up on top of the stack of the same book. Whose responsibility is it to re-prop the book when someone buys the displayed one? The customer? The customer representative? When you’re at the magazine rack and a bunch of subscription cards fall out, are you supposed to feel bad? Bookstores are a confusing place.
VI. I like how the guy reading the book seems Asian, and that he’s “multi-tasking” (reading + drinking from straw). Sorry that I keep talking about race/ethnicity, it’s just that Tomine has assigned a rather global cast of people. The guy’s bag suggests that he is on an “urban excursion,” like he also went to get some CDs and maybe see the optometrist for contact lenses to tone down his Asianness.
VII. I like how Tomine handles the seasons, like now it’s September or October. I think the Asian guy is single. Girls are attracted to either stock-brokers or drummers from bands. Girls will tell you otherwise, but in the end, it’s all about money or sticks. If you’re an Asian guy who just likes to read in the park, chances are your salary is under 100K and you have no rhythm. I’m sure this guy is single.
VIII. Funny how the bum-type guy is white. Again — I don’t wanna make this a racial thing, but it’s very noticeable. I wonder what’s in those plastic bags. I’m starting to think he’s Korean and the bag is full of Kimchi gone bad. (For those who don’t know, Kimchi is technically “cabbage gone bad” so for Kimchi to go bad is intense shit.)
IX. I see a discrepancy: we go from fall to winter and the bum-type guy is wearing the same outfit. Does this mean he’s a) a bum and these are his only clothes, or b) he’s just a bum-type guy and this is a huge coincidence? Obviously, I don’t have the answer.
—
I guess maybe this illustration is somewhat cynical — I mean, the book is eventually burned. Though I see frames I., III., and VI. as very hopeful moments: the creation of art, the potential profit, and the search for something meaningful (respectively). I often struggle with what’s more important to me, I. or VI. It’s funny how ego both makes and kills art. I really like Adrian Tomine because he makes me think, and his rendering of the world is nicely composed.
Tags: Adrian Tomine, new yorker cover
“I like how the editor-in-chief is a white bald guy. With the female writer, colored agent, I think Tomine was like “I need to lay off the social progressiveness here,” and just put a white guy in the big chair.”
fantastic. i like this illustration as well, very Ware-esque in style. but in this panel i didn’t get the impression that the editor was reading the manuscript, i thought he was more like “hey, i’m busy dealing with other stuff here. Is it about vampires? vampires are so hot right now. great, let’s do it. now leave my office.”
but maybe i’m too cynical.
“I like how the editor-in-chief is a white bald guy. With the female writer, colored agent, I think Tomine was like “I need to lay off the social progressiveness here,” and just put a white guy in the big chair.”
fantastic. i like this illustration as well, very Ware-esque in style. but in this panel i didn’t get the impression that the editor was reading the manuscript, i thought he was more like “hey, i’m busy dealing with other stuff here. Is it about vampires? vampires are so hot right now. great, let’s do it. now leave my office.”
but maybe i’m too cynical.
Hilarious, as usual, Jimmy. I like this part the best:
“At the new releases table, they always prop a book up on top of the stack of the same book. Whose responsibility is it to re-prop the book when someone buys the displayed one? The customer? The customer representative? When you’re at the magazine rack and a bunch of subscription cards fall out, are you supposed to feel bad? Bookstores are a confusing place.”
They are kind of, aren’t they? Luckily they have comforting chai lattes to make me feel safe.
Hilarious, as usual, Jimmy. I like this part the best:
“At the new releases table, they always prop a book up on top of the stack of the same book. Whose responsibility is it to re-prop the book when someone buys the displayed one? The customer? The customer representative? When you’re at the magazine rack and a bunch of subscription cards fall out, are you supposed to feel bad? Bookstores are a confusing place.”
They are kind of, aren’t they? Luckily they have comforting chai lattes to make me feel safe.
That last sentence is the least manly thing I have ever posted on the internet.
That last sentence is the least manly thing I have ever posted on the internet.
I love that you just posted that!
I love that you just posted that!
Jimmy: This is super fun!
What do you think, though? Maybe the clip was removed so that the editor-in-chief could read the ms. It’s all spread out on his desk. And I wish I had kimchi. My Japanese optometrist used to make it. And bury it. And every time I went in for a checkup, he told me about his latest batch in the ground. Mm. Good stuff.
Jimmy: This is super fun!
What do you think, though? Maybe the clip was removed so that the editor-in-chief could read the ms. It’s all spread out on his desk. And I wish I had kimchi. My Japanese optometrist used to make it. And bury it. And every time I went in for a checkup, he told me about his latest batch in the ground. Mm. Good stuff.
are the chai lattes what we’re missing, i wonder? are we mean that we don’t allow food and drink? although i often tell people it’s okay, as long as they look like responsible adults who won’t spill on the books and blame it on their kids.
are the chai lattes what we’re missing, i wonder? are we mean that we don’t allow food and drink? although i often tell people it’s okay, as long as they look like responsible adults who won’t spill on the books and blame it on their kids.
Fuck that. There’s nothing unmanly about being comforted by a drink.
Fuck that. There’s nothing unmanly about being comforted by a drink.
Really enjoyed reading this post, and am glad the NY published this cover.
Really enjoyed reading this post, and am glad the NY published this cover.
Anyone who doesn’t eat kimchi every day is going to die sooner than they have to.
Anyone who doesn’t eat kimchi every day is going to die sooner than they have to.
Re point V., speaking as a professional bookseller, Jimmy, I can tell you for a fact that you need not worry about replacing the top book in the display plexi or wire ‘standee.’ We, your professional booksellers, are more than happy to go ahead and pull the next book from the pile, or go into the display fixture’s hidden cache of ‘understock’ to refill the valuable, co-op accruing display on our valuable bookstore ‘real estate.’
Additionally, we will recycle the subscription cards. Scatter those bad boys all over the floor.
Also, wash the God damned fudge off your fucking hands before you touch our bestseller endcap, bitch.
Re point V., speaking as a professional bookseller, Jimmy, I can tell you for a fact that you need not worry about replacing the top book in the display plexi or wire ‘standee.’ We, your professional booksellers, are more than happy to go ahead and pull the next book from the pile, or go into the display fixture’s hidden cache of ‘understock’ to refill the valuable, co-op accruing display on our valuable bookstore ‘real estate.’
Additionally, we will recycle the subscription cards. Scatter those bad boys all over the floor.
Also, wash the God damned fudge off your fucking hands before you touch our bestseller endcap, bitch.
“Also, wash the God damned fudge off your fucking hands before you touch our bestseller endcap, bitch.”
gawd yes.
“Also, wash the God damned fudge off your fucking hands before you touch our bestseller endcap, bitch.”
gawd yes.
i laughed out loud
i laughed out loud
Seriously, browse and all, but I swear, I will cut your ass.
Seriously, browse and all, but I swear, I will cut your ass.
I really like this post. And I enjoyed how you went frame by frame, giving commentation. So hopefully this won’t be misconstrued as a grumpy old Mr. Buzzkill…. but I rarely, if ever, have seen an african-american colored as actual black. Maybe brown or dark brown. But never black. And, you know, umm, when I went to Whittier College they did this big thing in the dining hall and in some of our classes about the scientific evidence (which, really, you dont really need science to figure it out) how we’re all really shades of brown. And the only real “whites” would be albinos, considering white is an absence of color, of pigmentation. So, I mean, there are probably exceptions, somewhere, where they are the opposite of albino, you know, literally black. But I think to change this stigma of “black” and “white” and “brown” and “yellow” (which kinda seems impossible now, doesn’t it, considering how deeply ingrained it is everywhere) we gotta begin by calling ourselves what we are, if we gotta even call ourselves anything. I am constantly reminded of when I was in third grade and I came home and asked my dad, “Why do they call us black when we’re brown?” I call myself brown. This all seems like nitpicking and a big joke to most people, like ‘gimmie a break’, but there is something deep occurring with the decision to go with ‘black’ and ‘white’ and ‘brown’ and ‘yellow’ and ‘red’ to designate peoples. Much like how there’s this need to deem Africa bad somehow. Like, in America at least, there’s this idea of Africa as this dirty, dirty place. And it invokes a non-positive reaction in people if you even say the word. Yet Egypt is in Africa. Morrocco (which is the primo rich person vacation spot), and Algeria, which is right near France, and all this other stuff. Most people don’t even think Egypt is in Africa, the think its in the Middle East or something…
My bad Jimmy, I didn’t mean to rocket all the way over here about this stuff, but it just kinda bothers me. And now people look at me weird when I call myself brown, even though it is highly apparent that I am… I mean, even when I’m wearing a black sweater…. its like…really, I’m black? Well bonk me on the head and call me Sally…
I really like this post. And I enjoyed how you went frame by frame, giving commentation. So hopefully this won’t be misconstrued as a grumpy old Mr. Buzzkill…. but I rarely, if ever, have seen an african-american colored as actual black. Maybe brown or dark brown. But never black. And, you know, umm, when I went to Whittier College they did this big thing in the dining hall and in some of our classes about the scientific evidence (which, really, you dont really need science to figure it out) how we’re all really shades of brown. And the only real “whites” would be albinos, considering white is an absence of color, of pigmentation. So, I mean, there are probably exceptions, somewhere, where they are the opposite of albino, you know, literally black. But I think to change this stigma of “black” and “white” and “brown” and “yellow” (which kinda seems impossible now, doesn’t it, considering how deeply ingrained it is everywhere) we gotta begin by calling ourselves what we are, if we gotta even call ourselves anything. I am constantly reminded of when I was in third grade and I came home and asked my dad, “Why do they call us black when we’re brown?” I call myself brown. This all seems like nitpicking and a big joke to most people, like ‘gimmie a break’, but there is something deep occurring with the decision to go with ‘black’ and ‘white’ and ‘brown’ and ‘yellow’ and ‘red’ to designate peoples. Much like how there’s this need to deem Africa bad somehow. Like, in America at least, there’s this idea of Africa as this dirty, dirty place. And it invokes a non-positive reaction in people if you even say the word. Yet Egypt is in Africa. Morrocco (which is the primo rich person vacation spot), and Algeria, which is right near France, and all this other stuff. Most people don’t even think Egypt is in Africa, the think its in the Middle East or something…
My bad Jimmy, I didn’t mean to rocket all the way over here about this stuff, but it just kinda bothers me. And now people look at me weird when I call myself brown, even though it is highly apparent that I am… I mean, even when I’m wearing a black sweater…. its like…really, I’m black? Well bonk me on the head and call me Sally…
http://www.g2w.net/store/opensource/g2w/Desert_Camo/images/brown_colors.png
the entire human race, awesome
http://www.g2w.net/store/opensource/g2w/Desert_Camo/images/brown_colors.png
the entire human race, awesome
Where’s the a-bomb explosion that would have mentally prepared me for the awesomeness of this post? I really enjoyed it — as I do all of Chen’s posts — but nothing would have been more fulfilling and appropriate than a huge
zzssss…. kkkkKKKKEEEERRRRPPLLLOOOOOOWWWWWOOOOOOSSSSSHHHhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
as announcement.
Where’s the a-bomb explosion that would have mentally prepared me for the awesomeness of this post? I really enjoyed it — as I do all of Chen’s posts — but nothing would have been more fulfilling and appropriate than a huge
zzssss…. kkkkKKKKEEEERRRRPPLLLOOOOOOWWWWWOOOOOOSSSSSHHHhhhhhhhhh!!!!!
as announcement.
I like how the bums are burning the book–book burnings are cool, that is, I like books that burn! (they are burning the book in that one panel, right?)
Anyways, “conveyor belt.”
I like how the bums are burning the book–book burnings are cool, that is, I like books that burn! (they are burning the book in that one panel, right?)
Anyways, “conveyor belt.”
you should write a book that sets itself on fire called “Burn This Book, Oh Wait It Does That For You”
you should write a book that sets itself on fire called “Burn This Book, Oh Wait It Does That For You”
I would like to order one low-salaried, rhythmless Asian guy who just likes to read in the park, please. Also, I am a girl.
I would like to order one low-salaried, rhythmless Asian guy who just likes to read in the park, please. Also, I am a girl.
i wasnt trying to be a jerk, for real man. Just to let you know, cuz I think this post is obscenely dope. Just had to say it. Cuz being how dark I am, you know I always get the black jokes and then if I say anything people give me this label of being too sensitive or not liking other people or whatever….
the dopest girlfriend i ever had was a german chick… man… i miss her…
i wasnt trying to be a jerk, for real man. Just to let you know, cuz I think this post is obscenely dope. Just had to say it. Cuz being how dark I am, you know I always get the black jokes and then if I say anything people give me this label of being too sensitive or not liking other people or whatever….
the dopest girlfriend i ever had was a german chick… man… i miss her…
jimmy you don’t know shit about low salaried, asian guys. trust, there are a million and one with ridiculous rhythm. think bay area and the west coast. think bboys. nobody in that scene is making over 10k and rhythm abounds.
jimmy you don’t know shit about low salaried, asian guys. trust, there are a million and one with ridiculous rhythm. think bay area and the west coast. think bboys. nobody in that scene is making over 10k and rhythm abounds.
Maybe it is because I am a white guy who lives in Toronto but what is this emphasis on race business? You know? Seems like it’s way different in Toronto. People don’t think about it as much. Don’t know what it’s like in New York. Maybe it’s like that too. Don’t know where you are Jimmy, or what it’s like there. I’m reading John Barth’s Coming Soon!!! and maybe that’s the point but there’s like one black character so far and he’s a total novelty, it’s kind of embarrassing even though it’s not racist per se? Or maybe it is. It got me thinking about this today. I talked about it with my wife and then this.
Anyway I enjoyed this, even the race part, I just wanted to comment on that.
Maybe it is because I am a white guy who lives in Toronto but what is this emphasis on race business? You know? Seems like it’s way different in Toronto. People don’t think about it as much. Don’t know what it’s like in New York. Maybe it’s like that too. Don’t know where you are Jimmy, or what it’s like there. I’m reading John Barth’s Coming Soon!!! and maybe that’s the point but there’s like one black character so far and he’s a total novelty, it’s kind of embarrassing even though it’s not racist per se? Or maybe it is. It got me thinking about this today. I talked about it with my wife and then this.
Anyway I enjoyed this, even the race part, I just wanted to comment on that.
I never buy the display copy—the pages tend to show the effects of repeated fingering. I lift up the pile and grab a “fresh” copy from the middle of the stack that perhaps no one has touched since it left the factory.
I never buy the display copy—the pages tend to show the effects of repeated fingering. I lift up the pile and grab a “fresh” copy from the middle of the stack that perhaps no one has touched since it left the factory.
Who burns books in a 55-gallon drum?
Who burns books in a 55-gallon drum?
there’s so many ryans
there’s so many ryans
I’ve never liked that cover. No homeless person would do that. It makes the homeless out to be ignorant duds uninterested in anything other than primitive needs, while the erudite, too, are hopelessly indulging in activities that just don’t matter.
I’ve never liked that cover. No homeless person would do that. It makes the homeless out to be ignorant duds uninterested in anything other than primitive needs, while the erudite, too, are hopelessly indulging in activities that just don’t matter.
i don’t think the cover is cynical, i think the amount of time that passed between the bum picking up the book in autumn and burning it in winter implies he read it. why would he carry a stick of firewood around for months? i think he read it and then burned it and so he enjoyed it twice. the left panels are all like “production” panels, either writer producing work or machine producing books or consumer producing trash. middle panels are “exchange” panels maybe. right panels are “consumption” panels maybe. i like this cover a lot and this post a lot and i like like like.
i don’t think the cover is cynical, i think the amount of time that passed between the bum picking up the book in autumn and burning it in winter implies he read it. why would he carry a stick of firewood around for months? i think he read it and then burned it and so he enjoyed it twice. the left panels are all like “production” panels, either writer producing work or machine producing books or consumer producing trash. middle panels are “exchange” panels maybe. right panels are “consumption” panels maybe. i like this cover a lot and this post a lot and i like like like.
I just got back from listening to Adrian Tomine spend half an hour talking about how embarrassed he is of his early work and how “crushed” he was when his publisher told him that he wanted to reprint 32 Stories, his collection of early work. And then he explained how he let Drawn and Quarterly re-release the “embarrassing” book in a fancy much more expensive box set that you all can buy. I was glad to come home to find your post, Jimmy. You’ve put the pleasure back in that Tomine is trying his damnedest to suck out. (And I think you’re very kind to his work – and Ryan is wildly generous when he calls that panel “Ware-esque.”)
I just got back from listening to Adrian Tomine spend half an hour talking about how embarrassed he is of his early work and how “crushed” he was when his publisher told him that he wanted to reprint 32 Stories, his collection of early work. And then he explained how he let Drawn and Quarterly re-release the “embarrassing” book in a fancy much more expensive box set that you all can buy. I was glad to come home to find your post, Jimmy. You’ve put the pleasure back in that Tomine is trying his damnedest to suck out. (And I think you’re very kind to his work – and Ryan is wildly generous when he calls that panel “Ware-esque.”)
Also, I think the “lonely dude” character is always Asianish because he is always Adrian.
Also, I think the “lonely dude” character is always Asianish because he is always Adrian.
I wish I hadn’t taken so long to get around to reading this.
I wish I hadn’t taken so long to get around to reading this.
“person of color” or “of color” is what should be typed. “Colored” is just grating to read.
“person of color” or “of color” is what should be typed. “Colored” is just grating to read.
does anyone else think that’s ‘me’ multi-tasking and reading a book written by a white woman?
maybe the white woman is lydia davis, i think
maybe i am just ‘projecting’
does anyone else think that’s ‘me’ multi-tasking and reading a book written by a white woman?
maybe the white woman is lydia davis, i think
maybe i am just ‘projecting’