Join Benjamin Marra, Librairie D+Q, and Fantagraphics to launch WHAT WE MEAN BY YESTERDAY VOL 1. The cartoonist will appear in conversation with D+Q Executive Editor Tom Devlin. A signing will follow the presentation.
WHEN: Tuesday August 20th at 7 pm
WHERE: Espace Drawn & Quarterly, 176 Bernard O
WHAT WE MEAN BY YESTERDAY
The story of a man driven to the edge — and beyond — by the world around him. But if he’s the good guy, then who is the bad guy?
Bruce Barnes is a schoolteacher having yet another shit day. His students are a disrespectful nightmare, gleefully relishing the misery they put him through. But today is even worse than usual, and after a particularly grim run-in with a student, he heads to the break room to bum a smoke of another member of the faculty. After lighting up, he’s told the cigarette is laced with amphetamines. From there, Bruce rides his « rage snake » from the classroom to the ends of the cosmos and back — fighting, fucking, shooting, racing, and tripping his way from one impulsive move to the next. Reminiscent of films like Falling Down and shows like Breaking Bad, What We Mean By Yesterday is a black comedy descent into madness, a revenge horror/fantasy that gives new meaning to the phrase « bad trip. »
What We Mean By Yesterday began as a daily comic strip, one page per day, posted on Marra’s Instagram (@benjamin_marra). Originally begun as an experiment in drawing faster and looser, it quickly became one of the more popular pandemic era webcomics, followed by over 20,000 readers daily.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
BENJAMIN MARRA is the author of several acclaimed graphic novels from Fantagraphics, including Terror Assaulter (O.M.W.O.T.), Night Business, and American Blood. He received a B.F.A. in Illustration from Syracuse University; studied in Florence, Italy; and earned his M.F.A. degree in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts. He lives in Montreal.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Espace Drawn & Quarterly Accessibility information:
– Our event space uses StopGap.ca ramps in an effort to encourage accessibility. Both the step at the entrance, followed by a half step and a door have StopGap ramps. The door opens inward and is not automated. Once inside, there are no additional steps.
– There is one non-gendered bathroom.
– It is not a sober space, our events sometimes offer alcohol.
♥️ Please email events@drawnandquarterly.com if you have any accessibility needs we can accommodate (for example, saving you a seat if you have mobility needs) for you to be able to enjoy our events, worry-free, and feel free to contact us for any concerns you may have ♥️
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly would like to acknowledge that our events and bookstores are located on the unceded territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka. Many of us refer to Montreal as our home, but it is named Tiohtiá:ke. It has always been a gathering place for many First Nations and continues to be home to a diverse population of Indigenous peoples. We are grateful that creating and sharing stories has been a part of this land for thousands of years.