![]() “Don’t any of these people just want to make a movie that’s good?” But race is a predominant theme in Shortcomings-particularly the way Ben fetishizes white girls. ![]() “Why does everything have to be some big ‘statement’ about race?” Ben asks. But does Ben obsess over the flaws of others to avoid dealing with his own?īesides his chronic negativity and cynicism, at the core of Ben’s troubles is his disintegrating relationship with his girlfriend, Miko-an intelligent, attractive, patient woman whose only crime is her growing involvement in the Asian-American film community. He scoffs at the sentimental award-winning film of the “Asian-American Digi-Fest,” feigns interest in an absurd performance-art band, and stares with bewilderment and disgust at an exploitive photo exhibit. ![]() ![]() THE ANNIE HALL OF ASIAN-AMERICAN GRAPHIC NOVELSĮvery chapter of Adrian Tomine’s new graphic novel Shortcomings-a collection of issues nine to 11 of his astounding comic series Optic Nerve-begins with 30-year-old Asian-American protagonist Ben Tanaka observing what he perceives to be pretentious art. ![]()
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