Ben 7: Salmon Boon
Ben Ridder
Reviewed by Darren Hick

I'm not actually sure what the title of this one is. I've reproduced the cover, so you can see what I mean. Is it "New Orthography"? "Ben 7"? "Salmon Boon"? "Master Fisherman"? Don't get me wrong: I'm all for this style of design, but some indicia would've been nice, too. Anyway, on with the review...

What a terrific little book. Though I'm normally loathe to make these sorts of comparisons, I'd have to say Ben 7 falls somewhere between ACME Novelty Library and Albequerque Ben (which, if you're not familiar with it, is reviewed in TCJ #200). Not a combination I could've foreseen, but it works surprisingly well.

Chronicling the adventure of Ben on his lunchbreak (from what, I'm not sure), the story follows the protagonist as he is lured onto a fishing trip with Ruth, a reporter, and Salmon Boon, a master fisherman cum interpretive performance artist. Again, an unlikely combination, and again, Ridder pulls it off. Filled with strange tangents and breaks in the suspension of disbelief (in one narrative aside, and we are suddenly viewing the author moving about his kitchen, musing about the story itself), Ben 7 is written with an unexpectedly strong understanding and manipulation of the comics form. Visual metaphors, authorial intrusion, self-referential artistry. A subtle mastery that belies Ridder's simplistic -- almost stick-figure -- drawing style.

When I first opened Ben 7, I was not particularly impressed. Ridder's art looked like something I would have drawn to pass the time in grade-8 history class. Quickly, though, it became apparent that Ridder possesses a strong (if, perhaps, unconscious) sense of form and movement -- a rarity among mini-comics artists. It rarely bubbles to the surface, but the hints of its existence add a powerful charm to what would otherwise appear to be a rather sophomoric effort. So, too, does his sparing use of blacks and crosshatching indicate an understanding of the graphic form he has chosen.

Like Chris Ware, Ridder also understands that packaging is important -- almost as important as the contents of the comic, itself. His mock-Reader's Digest cover is instantly appealing, as is its reverse, a mock-up of a review of the film adaptation of the book. The inside covers are composed of the floor-plan of a "McMaster Automatic Pig Parlour House," and a workbook exercise following the story (an exercise strangely suitable for grade-school children). A delightful package.

Ben 7 is, as I said, a terrific, little read. Ridder displays a wide understanding of the medium, an appreciation of the reader, and a love for storytelling. A mini to write home about.

Ben 1-7are each available direct from the creator for $1.50 each. You can contact Ridder at ridderb@mailnet.hcc.tas.gov.au.