Same Difference and Other Stories (2003)

I liked this, I thought it had moments of insight and was very honest. But I went to write a review for it and I couldn't find anything to say besides, it was good.

"Y'know, I think there's an iron resolve and stubbornness to children that we underestimate. And never have again as adults."

"Oh stop romanticizing. I bet when you were their age, you were dying to be in your mid-twenties... To be able to drive, to drink, or go to bed any time you want, or, or, not have to eat dinner with your parents every night... I know I did..." ( )

Smart, funny, and real. ( )

Derek Kirk Kim is not only a pretty fantastic artist, but also a great writer as well. The bulk of the book is one story, "Same Difference." In the story we meet a group of friends discussing where they are in life and when one of them sees an old friend from High School, two of the friends set out on a journey back to home. Along the way they meet back up with old friends from High School and attempt to right a couple of wrongs. Strangely autobiographical, but brilliantly told and illustrated, Derek shows a brief glimpse of life with this story. Other stories included are often short, one or two pages, that seem to illustrate aspects of Derek's life. Sometimes amusing, sometimes a bit...graphic, but always insightful. Derek's artwork has matured over the years to where his current style, while stylized in some ways, accurately captures the many nuances of the human face. ( )

The first publishing of Derek Kirk Kim's "Same Difference & Other Stories" (by TopShelf) is one of my favorite graphic novels of all time. I fell in love with Derek's method of storytelling and his ability to capture the human emotion within his characters faces. That hint of surprise, that pang of sadness, or the look of longing over a lost loved one so eloquently captured in the characters faces. And while I missed out on the chance to buy a new version of the older book, I was excited to see FirstSecond offering a new edition of "Same Difference" in a nice hardcover format. And while it is a beautifully designed book (I especially love the mylar cover with the fish)...I'm a bit disappointed that it is literally only "Same Difference" and that the "other stories" got left by the wayside with no way for new readers to enjoy them unless they go and purchase a used copy of the original book.

The actual story, "Same Difference," is still absolutely fantastic and remains timeless. In the story we meet a group of friends sitting at a local restaurant, in front of the fish tank, discussing where they are in life and what they want from the future. Over the next few pages Simon and Nancy both share secrets about themselves...and in order to resolve a couple of them they head off to Simon's hometown. And the theme of the fish tank, the kinda of outside looking in theme from going back home and watching folks but not really fitting in, reverberates throughout the story in many ways. Especially with the new mylar cover where the reader feels like they're inside the fish tank looking out and hearing the stories being told is a nice touch. The artwork in the story is evocative and captures the emotions of the characters well.

Overall it's a really nice edition of "Same Difference." I just wish other readers had a chance to see the variety and breadth of Derek's abilities without having to purchase a used copy of the original (like I did) and that this new version had a place for the other stories. ( )