Distance Book 2: A New Normal, Reviewed

How about a look back at lockdown life with a positivity affirming, diary-like documenting, holiday poeming collection of observations and thoughts from a lovely human being with a particularly adept funny bone? Sound vaguely familiar? You'd be right in thinking we've done this before, but then there was a second lockdown and then a third so we got a second book, that's right it's Distance by John Cooper with Distance Book 2: A New Normal.

At the beginning of October 2020, the bizarre nightmare groundhog day of existence felt isolating, angst-ridden and turbulent at best. Hope for the end was growing but there were many signs to contradict this. In the previous month, a lovely slab of distraction was compiled as comedian John Cooper collected fifty comic strips of his experience of the day to day humdrum of the 2020 pandemic, in a collection brazenly named Distance "What I did To Stay Sane During The 2020 Pandemic" a name so full of past tense and conquering sentiment it’s almost comical. Ah, hindsight, you irony highlighting fickle f@!k. Thankfully the success of the book spurred John Cooper on to continue compiling these comics, meaning that in April/May Distance book 2 (the more carefully named) "A New Normal" hit Kickstarter and got itself funded. Now here I am finally catching up, and as frustrated as I am for missing the Kickstarter, it's wonderful to have the experience of stepping back inside John's mind, putting a bit of context and a comprehensible timeline from August last year to May of this, and being able to find a human connection as the dust settles on a post lockdown world.

So, let’s start with the art. In book one John delivered a distinct style of clean, clear charming art. It was enjoyable. This time the art is at a level far surpassing its predecessor. There was nothing wrong with book one, I could find no fault, but this time around it's like John found a new conviction. In strip #7 or #57, depending on your start point, John highlights this admitting that for book two he treats the strip more like an art project than a diary and reverts to a "back to basics" delivery. This shows the difference for me. Book one was a diary with illustrations whereas book two is a comic book diary. The preceding strip really emphasises the difference, on one hand a full colour, measured art of enticing execution than "back to basics" which only by comparison looks rushed. I think that's the point. Distance is full of bigger thinking retrospective moments and smaller snapshot reactions. Time is the influence. Whether that's more time taken to do art or time passing for confidence to grow in art or just a reaction to the necessity of capturing the moment. You can not doubt John's clear talent in this art and it's really great to see it so polished.

Some stand out moments would have to be, the mental health fairy visual, the strip for January 4th which perfectly captures the spiralling moment of existence, and John's fishy friend (that's not an underhanded dig at anyone, rather a Jiminy Cricket but a goldfish type deal). The game of lockdown is really stylish, but the absolute stand out is #100 with the gentle transition from black and white, building in colour both literal and metaphorical brightness and the final boldness of the reunion. It's stirring stuff and the perfect conclusion. The inclusion of the actual family snapshot just putting the cherry on the cake of a wholesome ending.

Ok, well it's time for the not a story, story review again. Book 1's diary collection of empowering, affirming fuel continues. It's an exploration of the existential challenges and practicality of a socially distanced existence. It's also an exercise in "observe and report" but also so much more as John adds beauty in humanity and honesty. We get to see the trials and tribulations of covid dating, handling covid positive flatmates, how maddening the world felt at times and how difficult it was to balance a need for human interaction and yet our own judgement of the idiocy of those that wouldn't recognise the severity of the threat. Yet throughout this comic there is joy, humour and empathy and still poignant strong looks at behaviour. You'll even see how the holidays turn John lyrical to inject extra fun.

This book certainly seems more introspective with John finding this time (like he wasn’t busy enough) to re-evaluate his career and reconsider the role Danny Pensive plays in it, as we see the evolution of John Cooper from Comedian and Illustrator to Illustrator and Comedian. A significant difference for John. When looking at the world it was disparaging to see what felt like a majority that didn't seem to care or accept the risk this virus brought to us all. In these times you can hope for community, yet here often things are worse. I know that's how I felt, so to find a comic that distracts in the great way comics do, but that also offers solidarity and reassurance in doing the right thing by using empathy and caution, makes this a more powerful tool than most. That's the beauty of both Distance books.

Distance Book 2: A New Normal is marked more with hope and joy, a fitting end to the journey and a series that will grow with the benefit of time removed from the event. Things may never be the same again but if we ever lose track of why things had to change or how to navigate its shifts Distance will provide some great frames of reference and reminders of joy and positivity.

For fans of comic book diaries, those looking for positivity, anyone that can't put a cohesive timeline on the last 18 odd months together, those that enjoy a natter with the goldfish or any human that struggled to navigate the new normal. Then you'll want Distance. To get your copies go to www.johncooperdesign.co.uk/distance-strip.

Review: 4.5/5