Ignoring Binky: The Life and Times of Victor Evertor by Beverly Red and Mitch Hall

In doing a unit on graphic novels, I set this one out after skimming it. Although it has its fair share of PG-13 content (“S” words are said, while the “F words” are blanked out), the “relations between adults” are shown with underwear rather than full-on nakedness. The opening birthing scene, however, left the kids in a fit of giggling so it was put aside for use by some of our older readers. In reading through it I felt torn. Clearly, this is a left-wing publication that triumphs the voice of the IMF protestors, anarchists and the like. They have some valid points: We have damaged our world, and ourselves, perhaps beyond repair, by focusing on power and greed. The lead character, Victor Evertor, is raised by parents who judge and hate and he follows the predictable path of using an ROTC uniform to hide his bullying tendencies. He is a womanizer who loves neither his wife nor his children, but is willing to sacrifice all – even his own life – to be at the top of his perceived “mountain of success”. Binky is the social consciousness of the piece, and follows Victor from birth to “brink of death” with chidings to be a better man. The artwork succeeds in conveying complex emotions (anger, in particular) and the simple line drawings are good accompaniment to the extensive text (this actually took some time to read). My only problem with the images is that the character of Victor is sometimes hard to discern in the groupings of businessmen, as his visage changes with age and mood throughout the book. My bigger issue with the story is that it is almost too leftist … which is saying a lot, coming from me. Do I believe in the total overthrow of all corporations? No. Do I think that all companies are essentially evil at heart? No. It is in the broad characterizations and stereotypes that this story fails. While I do know someone like Victor, someone who seemingly has no love for humanity, I find it hard to believe he is real. Victor, his meek then emancipated wife, his resentful kids, his Vietnam war soldier brother who goes from addict to granola-munching kayaker – it’s all just a little too flat. We live in a complex world, and solving the problems we face (media manipulation, the power of big brother, consumerism without understanding of consequences) requires complex and layered thinking. An attempt to understand the forces that create monolithic industries, and a visionary effort to move us into a myriad of possible “better” futures requires thinkers and doers, not simply condemnation. This book may spark some strong reactions, and that’s good, but the next step is to begin work on answers.