Are you a fan of Ghost World? You might not have noticed that Seattle-based Fantagraphics has reduced the price of their Ghost World: Special Edition to a bargain-priced $25.
Ghost World started out as a series in Daniel Clowes comic book Eightball (also published by Fantagraphics). The entire Ghost World story arc was published in a book in 1997, and later became a film released in 2001.
The story concerns the lives of two teenagers, Enid and Rebecca, negotiating that tricky terrain between high school graduation and adulthood. Should they go to college? Get jobs? Become roommates? Living in a typically anonymous suburb, they’re bound and determined to avoid any sign of conventionality, seeking out the odd and the twisted in a seemingly mundane environment, hiding their insecurities behind a wall of withering cynicism. It’s a bittersweet look at what’s supposed to be “the happiest days of your life.”
The Special Edition is packed with goodies sure to thrill the Ghost World geek. The main features are the original Ghost World book, and the complete script of the film. It’s interesting to make comparisons; though in the comic Rebecca moans at one point how all the boys like Enid better, in the film that scenario’s been “Hollywoodized,” with glasses-wearing Enid (played by Thora Birch) griping that the boys all prefer the blonde, more conventionally pretty Rebecca (played by Scarlett Johansson). But by and large the film followed the comic book fairly closely. The brash characters ultimately also came across as more sympathetic in the film, a testament to the strength of the performances by the two lead actresses.
The extras: there are annotations for both the comic and the film, along with preliminary sketches, illustrations of Ghost World merchandise (who knew there was so much?), film memorabilia, original art, and, best of all, a few (too short!) “Where Are They Now?” imagining various futures for the plucky teens.
It’s a great item to add to your Ghost World collection — or to get it started.
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