HARD & LABORED Pamela asked me to write a brief blog about Peter Bagge's original graphic novel OTHER LIVES which hits the shelves next Wednesday. She gave me some great angles and said "Write something light and a bit funny! This one will be no problem." "Light?" "A bit FUNNY?" "NO PROBLEM?" Easy for her to say. I've been tooling around with approaches all week and I've come up empty. I suppose it's because there are always mitigating circumstances when it comes to stories about dual and/or secret identities -- fictional or otherwise. There are mitigating circumstances about conspiracy theories, too, not to mention gaming addicts, men who live with their mothers or in cars, people who hide behind online avatars and live a life of no accountability...yeah, even writing blogs that contain an inkling of a clever cadence are known to sport a mitigating circumstance...or ten. In 250 words? Forget it. So I'll just put it on the proverbial table: OTHER LIVES is Peter Bagge's first original graphic novel. And, frankly, it's his best -- not just because it's his first. All the exaggerated situations, characters and comedy that you've come to expect from the guy who brought Buddy Bradley to life via HATE are in here -- in spades. And there are some new surprises inside this heartless and hilarious hardcover -- like a big gun. So just hand over the money, breath in, let it wash over you, wince and repeat. (Would I completely ruin my image if I told you I typed this while wearing navy nail polish and a wax moustache?) Shelly Bond, futurist mod & co-editor of OTHER LIVES For your viewing pleasure, check out the attached images of the ensemble cast of OTHER LIVES that our fabulous cover editor Louis Prandi put together to form the cover. Talk about nailing a book design and spot varnish!!