Doing Time GN (2004 Fanfare/Ponent Mon) By Kazuichi Hanawa comic books 2004

1st printing. Story and art by Kazuichi Hanawa. Doing Time portrays the daily routines of five middle-aged cellmates as they are forced into a regimented lifestyle, alien to the uninitiated, where the devil is all in the detail. The frenetic cleaning of their room; the folding of the bed sheets again and again and again; the meals which are real, imaginary or lovingly remembered to every last texture and flavor; the endless tasks; and, above all, the discipline. It is an experience that will change your life. In 1994, Hanawa was found guilty of a minor firearms violation and, in December of that year, was sent down for three years to a prison on the northernmost island of Hokkaido. This book is witness to his incarceration told in his own words and images. It is an austere tale whilst remaining humanist as well as being serenely hilarious and frightening. The story was serialized in the pages of Ax Magazine following his release in February 1998, even becoming a 2002 feature film by writer/director Yoichi Sai and starring Tsutomu Yamazaki (Tampopo) in the lead. Softcover, 7-in. x 9-in., 240 pages, B&W. NOTE: These are Japanese manga-style GNs and are meant to be read right-to-left. Cover price $19.99.