The boys are back they’re not gonna be well-behaved. Again! Two years ago when I reviewed volume one of The Book of Boy Trouble, I marveled at how non-underground these ‘zine comics were, lacking the scratchy lines and temperamental subjects of their produced-by-Kinko’s fellows; now I marvel at how mainstream the boys (and gals) of volume two are. Perhaps it’s the vogue that indy gay comics are enjoying at the moment or the limited number of stars in the heavens (as it were), but beyond one or two folks, I recognized all the names in this book, a claim I know I couldn’t make two years ago (hell, I’ve met or at least have had email exchanges with at least half these folks!). Is this the result of my own gay comics exploration or are gay comics creators becoming more visible? Is it both? My magic eight ball says, “Write it up for your PhD dissertation.”

Topics for my future education aside, I found the latest volume of Boy Trouble to be like a large pepperoni pizza on a Friday night: familiar and comforting, but not too challenging. Oh sure, a few slices here and there had a surprising bite of jalapeño, or an incongruous taste of mango chutney, but generally it was a dinner on the couch with a glass of wine and my dog watching Stargate: Atlantis (R.I.P.). To torture the metaphor.

If I had to pick my top five favorites – which is not an easy task because most of the entries were outstanding one way or another – these would be it (in no particular order):

"Then There Was Claude" by Howard Cruse. Perhaps it’s my own particular issues with organized religion that make this strip a stand-out for me, but even audiences without a beef with the Men of the Smoky Purse will find a dark joke in Howard’s in flagrante delicto encounter.

“Genderfication” by David Kelly. In the kinda sorta terrible movie version of “The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan Green”, there’s a quiet visual joke that still sets me and the BFF on our ends. While Ethan and a friend are arguing in a bookstore, there is an empty shelf behind them labeled “lesbian humor.” Which brings us to “Genderfication”. Now the good FSM and I both know the girls can guffaw with the best of them, so it’s with all due respect to them when I say David’s punchline made me squirt Pepsi out my nose.

“Incineration Point” by Andy Hartzell. An oddball love story (but aren’t the best ones always oddball?) in which Hartzel follows his theme Gaiman-like throughout, tugging on my suspension of disbelief without actually pulling me earthward.

“Voodoo You Do So Well” by Tim Fish. When you can’t do it yourself, it’s always nice to have friends and the Dark Arts around to push you into a relationship.

“Litany” by Michael Fahy. Sexy does not require massive blood-engorged throbbing cocks splayed across spread-eagle gentlemen. Fahy shows that sexy can be a flicker of memory and a roughly painted face. Revelatory without being crass, this was truly the best of the bunch for me.

In case you didn't get it yet, my final metaphor is this: if The Book of Boy Trouble, Volume One were a first date, then Volume Two, with almost thirty all-new, never-before-seen-in-this-universe strips, is like a reunion. It’s fun and familiar and non-fustian. Your collection needs the boys (and gals!)!

Sean McGrath writes. Compulsively. Become an enthusiastic reader of his.

The Book of Boy Trouble, Volume Two © 2008 Green Candy Press. Review © 1009 Sean McGrath

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