The Homeless Channel
Writer and Artist: Matt Silady; Cover: Matt Silady
AiT/Planet Lar
The Homeless Channel is one of the those graphic novels which doesn’t fit into any easily defined categories for easy consumption. It simply succeeds through a well-told story. While its premise of a 24-hour cable channel devoted to broadcasting the homeless could easily fall into the heavy-handed and trite, Silady creates a believable world that doesn’t pound us on the head with its message.
Darcy Shaw begins the story by pitching an idea for a channel to broadcast nothing but original shows and stories about the homeless, including a live, uncensored overnight feed with footage of homeless people living and sleeping in the streets. The network accepts it as a way to gain positive publicity even if the idea fails. The story unfolds with Darcy handling a startup network, her schizophrenic sister, the effects of corporate sponsorship to artistic integrity, the hazards of a good cause morphing into mere exploitation, and a budding work romance.
None of the novel enters into after-school-special territory due to Silady’s deft storytelling. Darcy’ mission is never certain and feels like it could turn at every page. The penultimate scene between Darcy and her sister moves through how real the characters feel. And the final scene reinforces the hopeful uncertainty running throughout the book: dream and act big or stay home.
The Homeless Channel remains Silady’s best work only because nothing else has been printed yet. His website states that he is working on a new graphic novel, but it hasn’t been updated in months. Hopefully we will see more from him soon.
Review at Boing Boing which led to my purchase: Homeless Channel: raw, smart comic about homelessness