Few authors are able to capture an honest snapshot of everyday life the way Harvey Pekar can. From ruminations on jazz musicians to back problems and traffic tickets, Pekar writes in a clear, unsentimental voice that not only explores the mundane, but celebrates it as well. This time out in
American Splendor: Unsung Hero, Pekar focuses his sharp literary eye on Robert McNeill, an ordinary man whoÂ’s lived an extraordinary life. McNeill recounts his time spent as a G.I. in Vietnam, on a tour through that surreal and horrific landscape that even now, thirty years later, weÂ’re struggling to define.
Unsung Hero is a tale of cynicism and endurance, tempered by McNeillÂ’s distinct sense of humor and PekarÂ’s touching wit. This is the first Dark Horse collection from the long-running comic-book series that inspired the upcoming American Splendor feature film, which won the prestigious Grand Jury Prize at this yearÂ’s Sundance Film Festival and has earned both critical and popular acclaim.
American Splendor: Unsung Hero by Harvey Pekar with art by David Collier arrives in stores August 20, with a retail price of $11.95.