Book of the Month
The Likely Lads
Phil Whickham, Palgrave Macmillan, £12

Part of the BFI TV Classics series of books, this is a superb study of writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais’ first two TV hits, The Likely Lads and Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads. The programmes, of course, detail the experiences of two Newcastle friends, Bob and Terry, as young men (in the 60’s programme The Likely Lads) and then approaching middle-age (in the 70’s classic, Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?). Whilst much of the comedy of the time relies on outlandish characters (Basil Fawlty, Rigsby etc) or unusual situations (Dad’s Army, The Good Life), The Likely Lads brought a more naturalist approach to the medium and Whickham makes the case that this allowed the writers scope to explore themes such as class, changing society and gender issues. Indeed there’s a good argument – made here – that the programme would be incredibly bleak if it wasn’t for the comedy element. To this day however, the programmes remain some of the funniest ever made and Whickham explores this side of its longevity too, highlighting use of speech and its rhythms over straightforward gags. Read it and reap. RM

Being Normal
Stephen Shieber, Tonto Books, £7.99

‘Being Normal’ is a moving collection of short stories. Tales of everyday people and everyday lives and our everyday problems. From lighted-hearted love and marriage squabbles, to dark, disturbing tales of self-harming and domestic violence. It’s fair to say that the depressing vibe in this strange, gripping collection far outweighs the moments of happiness. No chapter seemed to start from the begining nor did it end with full conclusions. Some really left you hanging with no tidy endings. Shieber however blends a taste for everything and writes in such a compelling and detailed way that you finish each chapter with a reasurring hope. He might not have said so, but you’re left thinking that there would probably be a happy ending to follow soon. If I hadn’t already of read it, this book would have been packed, along with my new bikini for my jolly hols. HF

Marshal Law: Origins
Pat Mills & Kevin O’Neill, Titan Books, £7.99

Sam Futuro, the none-too-distant future. A once vibrant city lies in ruins after a devastating earthquake known as The Big One has left the streets in the control of gangs of genetically modified super heroes. Heroes that are violently out of control. Heroes with no respect for the law… SFPD cop Marshal Law – a veteran from the Zone bolstered by super strength and the inability to feel pain – has been put in charge of bringing order to this unruly metropolis. Crime is just the symptom… he’s after the disease!

This new volume collects together two hot stories from the Law canon in an illustrated novel format (i.e. there’s more words than pictures) and it comes from the pen of one of Britain’s greatest ever comic-book writers, Pat Mills, with the imagery being handled by Kevin ‘The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen’ O’Neill. The result is one of the sharpest superhero satires out there and a rattling good read full stop with plenty of twists and turns to keep you panting with eagerness right until the very end. GM

The Staff Room
Markus Orths, Translated by Mike Mitchell.  Dedalus Euro Shorts, £6.99

Absurd, hyperbolic, paranoid, and funny - The Staff Room tells the story of Kranich, a newly qualified secondary school teacher’s experience at his first job. Curiously, the students rarely figure into the tale. The story focuses on the administration, namely the headmaster, and his illogical, ‘Big Brother-ish’ attitude towards employees. Kranich suffers through the headmaster’s and the broader school system’s inane rules and petty priorities.  Meanwhile, his more seasoned colleagues get by whinging at pubs and avoiding work. Kranich feels alienated and lonely, unable to find reliable support anywhere.

The story’s cynicism will satisfy the post-modern litterateur; however, its fixation on the overbearing presence of the headmaster can prove repetitive. Characters are developed through snippets of conversations and through their relationships with each other, which may also prove frustrating to the reader interested in deeper character sketches. However, this short work succeeds in satirizing a school system badly in need of reform. CV

Untitled. Street Art In The Counter Culture
Editor: Gary Shove, Pro-Actif, £14.95

On the inside cover of this handsomely produced hardback is the legend, ‘This is our Punk Rock’. It’s filled with photographs of examples of street art from around the world; creeping up walls, mildew-like, spreading its usually grimly ironic messages which like to suggest that the world is a pretty old rum place to live. ‘One nation under CCTV’ runs one hard-hitting polemic. Another sees the CND symbol rendered in the logos of evil corporations such as Burger King and NASA; whilst a dove – you know, that ultimate symbol of peace – has the nasty cross-hair of a rifle painted over it. Yes, much of the politics of street art is brewed in the minds of revolutionaries who’ve read a couple of back copies of Living Marxism and has as many cutting edges as a beach ball. That said, some of the stuff here is pretty diverting and if you’re in any way interested in the subject, dive in. Our Punk Rock? Yes - like punk a lot of it will be fly-by-night (fly-posting by night?), but one or two of the artists will endure. RM

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