Weasel #1

The Plot: An artist seeks out "normal" women to model for him, and unexpectedly becomes attracted to his muse.

This was an unexpected treasure. There are a number of stories in Weasel 1, but "Ripple: A Predilection For Tina," by Dave Cooper is the cover story and main tale here. It is a revelation. Apparently autobiographical, Cooper pulls no punches in this story of how an artist can become enchanted and amazed by someone he finds repulsive.

I say the story is apparently autobiographical, and it certainly contains the ring of truth. Cooper, though, uses a character named Martin Deserres as his protagonist, and so removes himself a degree from the bizarre situation Martin finds himself in.

You might be questioning my characterization of Tina as repulsive, but I don't think there's any way around that; sure, there are plenty of people that on the surface might be unattractive, but that closer inspection reveals something, perhaps some intangible trait, that renders them compelling. Or at least, not hideous.

Tina is hideous, no doubt about it. She's fat, with bad teeth and enormous glasses, "a total slob," as Martin describes her, who yells at a TV commercial for feminine hygiene products "try washing your snatch once in a while, bitch!" It's difficult to imagine what anyone would find attractive about Tina.

And yet, Martin is mesmerized by her. After their first modeling session ends, Martin finds himself so aroused that he has to immediately, desperately relieve his pent-up passion. The story is apparently to be continued in future issues.

Cooper illustrates the story in a primitive, sketchy style heavy on scribbling but generous with the background details of Martin's environment. The comic is printed on heavy, cream-coloured paper that lends an air of gravity to the tale. Overall, the effect leaves one thinking not unkindly of some of the better pieces to appear in RAW.

There is some other assorted oddness to be found here, the best of which is "Television Program X-32b," a tale that appears to be about the ridiculousness of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and is quite strange and charming.

The Tina story, though, makes Weasel worth checking out; the rest is just gravy.

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