first half was good. Second not so much. ( )

Probably best known for his collaboration with [a:Alan Moore|3961|Alan Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1182935774p2/3961.jpg] on the extraordinary [b:From Hell|23529|From Hell|Alan Moore|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167428110s/23529.jpg|191464], Eddie Campbell, serving as both writer and artist, first gained acclaim for Alec, the thinly-veiled autobiographical adventures of a Scottish artist. Alec: The Years Have No Pants collects all of the very frank, often humorous previously published tales plus a new story. While all the stories showcase Campbell's distinctive art, the highlight of this impressive book derives from the evolution of the artist. Midway through the 638 page volume, the realization dawns that Eddie Campbell may be one of the field's most accomplished storytellers. Alec: The Years Have No Pants belongs in all finer graphic novel collections. ( )

I have gained an appreciation for Eddie Campbell's work over the years. This huge autobiographical tome, collected from several standalone books and some new and unpublished material, was absorbing. It was interesting to see his life choices, especially since he moved to Australia from Glasgow. ( )

[Author: Eddie Campbell] is an amazing storyteller and a pioneer in his field. His autobiographical approach to the stories are as honest as [Author: Alison Bechdel]'s discomforting self-examinations in Fun Home, but without her goofy sense of humor. The eponymous Alec (Campbell's alter ego) is as insular and self-focused as Jersey Shore's The Situation, minus the six-pack abs and dinner-plate pectorals. And Campbell's postmodern interpretations of plot echoes the hyperrealism driving the 2004 cult classic Napoleon Dynamite.

I originally reviewed this book for Green Man Review back in June 2010. Read the full review here to see how Alec is like an electric piano. ( )