Trains Are...mint

by Oliver East

Oliver East is one of the best known names in the vibrant British small press scene whose artwork has adorned Elbow's Mercury Award-winning album. His Trains Are...Mint series uses an artist's eye to spot out the many elements which make up the everyday world, but which people often simply tune out and don't notice, spotted as he travels around Manchester. The meandering journeys are all detailed with layered, poetic artwork. This is the first large collection of his work and the recipient of an Ignatz Award nomination.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

124 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Elwyn]

This graphic novel journal of the author's walks is unique but completely forgettable.

This may be the most boring comic I have ever read. Remember a few years back when people complained that some video games were just "walking simulators"? This book is the comic equivalent but with the narrator's banal thoughts such as ruminating of the lyrics the Black Eyed Pea's "My Humps".

Also, the artwork is barely okay. I think most people can pencil and paint watercolours as well as the author.

[Kate Gardner]

A sweet idea but observations lean perhaps a little too far towards the inane and dirtier side of life.

[Twan]

Trains are shit.

I was shocked that Oliver East is a fan of a game I thought was unique to me - seeing how long you can walk with your eyes shut (it's terrifying). I beat his record btw :)