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Variant Coverage #2 The Tao of Ben Review posted: 29 December 2005 Writer: Publisher: Reviewed by Adam White

How many of your favorite creators have you ever met or conversed with? If you live in the middle of Nowhere like I do, probably not many. Oftentimes meeting someone whose work you enjoy or that you admire in some way can often be disappointing, but I have had pretty good luck with the few encounters I’ve had. Whether over the internet or in person, every creator I’ve had contact with has not only lived up to but exceeded any expectations I may have had.

I once e-mailed Marvel about my enjoyment of a particular series (I believe The Punisher, after Ennis started writing it), and I received a reply from Jimmy Palmiotti. Not only did Palmiotti respond once, but even e-mailed back and forth with me a few times after printing my letter in the book, always being conversational and entertaining. My next encounter was in person with Warren Ellis, during his October Revolution Tour in 2000. I’ve been a long time Ellis fan, so I had (likely) unreasonable expectations for his personality to be as interesting and varied as his writing; to my enjoyment, he actually more than met those expectations with his caustic wit and intelligent observations during his appearance. I got a sketch and personalized autograph from Sam Hiti when I ordered his fine Tempos Finales graphic novel, without even requesting or expecting anything of the like. And I’ve had pleasant internet conversations with Jim Rugg (Street Angel,), Sean Wang (Runners: Bad Goods), and Rafael Navarro (Sonambulo), all of whom have produced great comics, so check them out.

However, the recent encounter that has inspired this diatribe was with Ben Raab, writer of the most excellent series Living in Infamy, produced by Ludovico Technique. Apparently Raab came across my recent review of the first issue and enjoyed my comments so much that he actually contacted me through the website. First, I am amazed and appreciative that a creator would take the time to check out our humble review site, and that he or she would take the time to give us some feedback on our work. What really left me beholden to Mr. Raab, though, was that he offered to send me a preview of the second issue in that very same e-mail, which of course I was happy to accept. I found the first issue of Living in Infamy to be of such an excellent quality that I decided it was one of the best series of the year, and upon reading the second issue in its entirety I stand firm in that assessment.

Living in Infamy #1 was fantastically original, and I had an unconscious dread that the next issue might not live up to it (because how many series have started strong and then fizzled?); however, the second issue surpassed the first one and left me secure that the creative team and Ludovico Technique were all the real deal. Raab and Co. have produced solid characters who are much deeper than their two issues worth of appearances, and the multiple layers of themes existent in the previous issue are all expanded upon as well. Several new elements, such as “The Box,” a prison for superhumans, are introduced along with new mysteries as well. Every panel is used to its fullest, every detail a useful part of the story. The writing, the art — it’s the total package. Everything I said in my review of the first issue goes for this one as well, only double.

Back to my original point though — which is that Mr. Raab was not obligated to contact me or to generously offer this preview, but he did. He went out of his way to help out our growing website and personally make my day, for which I’m grateful, and which goes to show that being personable and approachable ends up paying off for everyone in the long run (well, for some more than others maybe). Being an aspiring writer myself, I hope that if (God willing) I ever get any of my work produced that I can extend this same level of courtesy and professionalism to any fan that may contact or encounter me, remembering the good experiences I’ve had as a fan.

The best way I can offer to return the favor to Mr. Raab is by telling everyone who visits ComicCritique.com to actively seek out Living in Infamy and recommend it to all your friends and neighbors. Talk to your comic dealer and make sure they know about and stock this series. I always say exactly what I think (which can be a virtue or vice, depending on your outlook), so I do not exaggerate when I say that Living in Infamy is excellent, and you will not regret buying it. Few comics I’m reading right now match the superiority of this series, so go pick up the first issue now and enjoy — I guarantee you’ll anticipate the second issue as much as I have.

Adam White
12-05-05