Joe Matt (1963–2023)

Strange that a book featuring such an unlikeable, angst-ridden and shallow main character, leading such a circumscribed life should be so compelling. 'Joe Matt' spends his days masturbating, procrastinating and talking with his two fellow comic geek friends about his non-existent love life. He squanders pretty much any chance he has at getting into a new relationship. His life is apalling, he hates himself and spills it all onto the page.

There's a dark vein of comic book authors (eg. this guy, and Daniel Clowes) who write about isolated, depressed, misogynistic, misanthropic, neurotic and generally hateful comic book authors. This book is about one of those who is also addicted to pornography and stuck in a creative and general rut.

Quite possibly one of the funniest and engrossing graphic novels of all time. I keep coming back to this title every year and I'm still excited about reading it from front to back. Joe Matt is a unique person who has qualities that we all may be ashamed to admit that we have. Not with Joe Matt. He's open with his problems and frustrations. Peepshow made me feel a bit normal.

Plus, Matt's artwork is just fantastic. Simple, black and white, and full of interesting details.

An autobiographical graphic novel. The main character is a selfish horny bastard who treats his girlfriend badly, is without ambition other than to get into beautiful women’s pants and exploits his friends and acquaintances. He shows occasional bursts of insight after his girlfriend leaves him but never actually changes his behaviour. I didn’t like the story or the character at all. There don’t seem to be any redeeming qualities. I don’t know what I’m supposed to like him for.