Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Mixtape #3Mixtape #3
Published by Brad Abraham
Abraham, Jok & Gervasio

The third issue of Mixtape is another one-shot and another exceptional issue. This comic book focuses on two of the main cast taking a short road trip to see a small venue concert. The comic book is an exploration of a relationship that is strained due to the unknown future once they head off to college. It's a situation that a lot of people can relate to and Abraham captures the emotions tremendously. The comic can be tracked down online at places like Indy Planet and I urge you to do so because it is a fantastic read.

Terry and Noel take a road trip in Noel's new car. The interaction between the pair on the trip up to the concert rings true on so many levels. There is resentment on the part of Terry that his friend's parents gave him a new car. However, Noel calls Terry out on Terry behaving like he's poor when he's not. The pair has a lot unsaid but they manage to say just enough to dial up the tension. This is so well done and is complete with bickering about the taste in music they each prefer.

The rest of the book brings the tension to a boil in a very natural way as Terry and Noel eventually let it all out. The book has an emotionally charged ending and the friends seem to understand the limited time they have left with each other is better spent not fighting. It's a great ending.

The comic is circa 1990 so there are some gags that are relevant to the time that younger people reading this might not get. Car phones, CD changers in the trunk, etc but when you are picking up a comic called Mixtape you hopefully understand that the book is a bit of a period piece.

The only drawback to the book is that the book is light on the music. The first two issues had a lot of songs as well as talk about music whereas this issue pulls that back a lot. I enjoyed the musical aspect of the book but nothing is lost by not including it.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsThe art is tremendous. The book is in black and white but the pencils are bold and detailed. The sequence in the car on the way back from the show is superb. As Terry and Noel continue to play the silent game the artwork takes over and really adds to the drama perfectly. It's a great looking comic book.

Mixtape number three is a great read. The comic has some humor, drama and plenty of emotionally charged moments. The comic book hits on many of the painful parts of growing up and growing apart. One of the keys to this series has been the ability-to-relate factor and this issue falls right in line with the previous two. Excellent read.

4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles