Bald Knob « Optical Sloth

Hamil, Brett – Bald Knob #1

November 27, 2024

You know, I thought that “Bald Knob” sounded familiar, but this old brain ain’t what it used to be in regards to remembering specifics like that. Luckily, I have an easy cheat option: use the search function on my website! I can’t decide if that’s pathetic or hilarious. Both? Anyway, I was right: John Hankiewicz put out a mini probably 15 years ago or so with the same title, and Robert Sergel put out a graphic novel called Bald Knobber about 6 years ago. Relevant? Related to this comic in any way? Not at all! But if you’re curious, look them up yourself and be amazed! Now that that bit of nonsense is out of the way, what’s up with this comic? It’s the start of a series (and the second issue is already up on his website, which is promising) about two guys who are staying at a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Glenn is trying to make the next great American rock album (it’s more specific and defined than that), and Shad is mostly there to help and/or keep his eye on his troubled friend. Glenn had been through a breakup recently and he wasn’t taking the whole thing very well, so to Shad this seemed like the perfect distraction. Things start off with Shad trying to convince Naomi (who he’d hooked up with the night before) to leave before Glenn saw her in the morning, as he didn’t think that would help Glenn’s mood, but that plan did not work out. We spend a lot of time getting to know all three of these characters, which is crucial to any kind of lengthy series. The two of them get to their job, Shad takes off his shorts for his walk (which, creepiness aside, does seem like a great way to enjoy nature if you’re alone), and they discuss how they still need a drummer for their band. Meanwhile we see a lot more about Naomi’s life with several generations all in one room, which seems like the sort of thing that’ll come up again later. Finally they all go to a local music show in the hopes of finding a drummer or at least having a good time, and we even get a bit of a cliffhanger in terms of Glenn’s love life, even if it seems like he’s heading towards a disaster. I’d call this a solid first issue with plenty of avenues he could still explore. $6

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Posted by Kevin

Hankiewicz, John – Bald Knob

April 23, 2010

Website

Bald Knob

OK, generally speaking I try to review things that most people at least have a chance to get themselves, because otherwise there’s not much of a point, but I noticed after reading this that there were only 68 copies made. Maybe it’s only a first printing, maybe this will be included as part of some future graphic novel, or maybe this review is only for myself and 67 other people. Still, even if that’s the case, it’s as good a chance as any to get John’s name up at the top of the main page again. This is a mini, which is rare enough for John these days (and boy am I looking forward to getting to John’s massive Asthma when I get the chance), and he’s more than good enough to be able to make one think whichever format he’s using. This is the story of a young man reminiscing about his father while the images are densely inked pages of a couple of young men searching through a desolate rural landscape. That’s one thing you can always count on with John: even if the nuance of the plot loses you for a minute, you know damned well that he takes “meticulous” to a whole new level when it comes to his art. The story has a poignant moment or two, with more than a few silent, thoughtful images thrown in, then it’s over, as this is a shorty. It’s worth a look, as is everything this guy has done, although you may want to dig into something meatier and then work your way backwards. No price, but there’s a nice color cover, so… $5?