HelLA #2

I've reviewed three others from this minicomic series, not in order. This is the second issue.

Title: HelLA
Issue: 2
Date: 2010
Publisher: Cody Pickrodt
Writer: Cody Pickrodt
Artist: Cody Pickrodt

 HelLA is Cody Pickrodt's journal minicomic about the time he spent living in the Los Angeles area.

The cats and ferrets totally steal the show in this issue. Aside from the animals, this one had a recurring theme of hormones and a fair amount of focus moments between the protagonist and his girlfriend. A few "Oh no, he did not just go there!" kinds of moments, and a few that felt very down-to-Earth real.

Not as much nerdy content in this issue, but the cats and ferrets somewhat make up for that, and the artist does some interesting experiments with parallel ferret cartoons at the bottoms of the first few pages.

I like the other books in this series better than this one, but this was still definitely interesting. And did I mention cats? And ferrets?

Rating: 6/10

HelLA #3

Title: HelLA
Issue: 3
Date: 2010
Publisher: Cody Pickrodt
Writer: Cody Pickrodt
Artist: Cody Pickrodt


Another installment in this autobiographical (and geeky!) series about the artist's time living in Los Angeles.


This issue includes weirdly deformed tonsils, a mesmerizing pocket protector, nasty neighbors, and the guy rocking out at the chain bookstore music station.


There is also some of the best artwork in the series, particularly on a strip about the canyon behind the artist's house, and on his makeup with his girlfriend after a fight.


Artistically the best in this series, and some good quirky stories too.


Rating: 7.5/10

HelLA Special Edition

Title: HelLA Special Edition
Date: 2010
Publisher: Cody Pickrodt
Writer: Cody Pickrodt
Artist: Cody Pickrodt


Short vignettes of the artist's life in Los Angeles. This issue is slightly more raunchy and contains fewer geeky references than HelLA #1. It is very quirky and odd in a "truth is stranger than fiction" sort of way. Topics covered include flossing, massage, cuttlefish, and the classic West Coast experience: an earthquake.


Plenty of amusing and unexpected observations in this issue.


Rating: 6.5/10

HelLA #1

Title: HelLA
Issue: 1
Date: 2010
Publisher: Cody Pickrodt
Writer: Cody Pickrodt
Artist: Cody Pickrodt

I keep mentioning it, but I'm a sucker for geeky autobiographical comics. I love reading the misadventures of creative people, and the minicomic is the perfect format for this kind of story. HelLA is geeky autobiography with a west coast style to it.

Actually, the author moved out to LA from the New York area and found work out there as an artist, teacher, and designer. This is the first volume of his California adventures, covering dumpster diving, costume parties (super-hero and yakuza!), Star Trek VI, Eegah (!), Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Walken, and Halloween at the mall.

Also, there are ferrets.

As with most such things, a few of the observations fell a bit flat, but overall, there were some fun, quirky bits of humor here and a good mix of focus on the author himself and on the LA society he was finding his way in.

Rating: 7/10