Description: This book examines European comic-books about bikers, unearthing a rich tapestry of creative ingenuity and ambiguous humor. Through narrative analysis, the author argues that these comics offer insight into motorcycle subcultures, while also shedding light on cultural issues l...
Brief description: DAVID WALTON won the 2008 Philip K. Dick Award for his debut novel, Terminal Mind. He is also the author of Quintessence. He lives near Philadelphia.
Review Quotes:
""This is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive study of long-running European cartoon series about motorcyclists, including Ogri and Joe Bar Team. Walton unpacks the comics for audiences unfamiliar with the series (and potentially their languages), mapping how they engage with motorcycles, motorcyclists, and motorcycling. Touching on topics from 'laddism' to 'ecocriticism', the book delves beneath the comics' surface humor. With impressive critical rigor, Walton proves that 'comic-book bikers' merit serious consideration for they participate directly in wider cultural discussions about class, gender, race, ethnicity, identity, sexuality, and the environment--and challenge stereotypical pop-culture images of bikers as outlaws." --Steven E. Alford and Suzanne Ferriss, authors of Motorcycle and An Alternative History of Bicycles and Motorcycles
"Iberian cultural studies at its very best. David Walton is a master of critical analysis and telling insight, offering new ways of seeing what he calls European comic-book bikers. A must read for anyone interested in contemporary culture and the expanding critical gaze of cultural studies." --John Storey, University of Sunderland