A perfect bound volume of 3 panel daily diary comics by Ben Snakepit was an enjoyable read for me. I love reading published journals, and have for most of my life. Years ago, I read C.S. Lewis’ huge journal cover to cover, and just enjoyed the mundane details that were, for some reason, recorded (he took a lot of walks with a cat). Ben and I have both found ourselves in Delaine’s NMSD club over the years, and it was nice to finally have a volume of his in my hands. Starting with 2009 seems an odd choice, especially since Ben frequently ponders whether his daily comix journal is still worth doing. He seems to think, in this volume, that his life has become too boring, too repetitive. And indeed, he repeatedly shows himself at his day job in front of a bunch of video tapes waiting for customers, but I love this. The sheer act of recording this daily grind without apology seems so rebellious to what most of us would do in this situation. Most people would just let the job take over our lives, but Ben harnesses his retail job in his comic, and so keeps his power over it. I can’t think of a more punk rock thing to do, really. It’s how life goes … things seem exciting and much more “story-worthy” when we’re young, but it’s the ability to enjoy the small moments of each day that we end up growing towards, and I enjoy reading these kinds of diaries the most. — Poopsheet
