あらすじ
This collection of comics from the author of Wine Makes Mommy Clever and Dawn of the Bunny Suicides takes a humorous look at fatherhood in all its glory. Fatherhood is full of ups and downs, quirks and crises. But there is always humor to be found! Featuring 60 all-new cartoons from Andy Riley, Beer Makes Daddy Strong shows the world just how great dads can be: Daddy knows all the best car games ("Who can stay quiet the longest?"), likes to show off his scars (that he may or may not have obtained while running with the bulls in Spain), and is a great cook (when Spaghetti Bolognese is on the menu). Witty and wise, this affectionate tribute is a celebration of fatherhood and all of its joys, confusion, humor, and, of course, beer. Praise for Beer Makes Daddy Strong "This will make you laugh. It is a piece of artwork, really; a collection of cartoons capturing those "dad moments" that can be humiliating, embarrassing or just plain stupid." — The Daily Telegraph (UK) "Laugh-out-loud tour through life as a first, from the first ultrasound to holiday traffic jams and pipe and slippers time." — News of the World (UK) "Funny, true, and—speaking as a dad—embarrassingly accurate." —Chris Addison
作品考察・見どころ
アンディ・ライリーの筆致は、父親という存在が抱える滑稽さと愛おしさを、容赦ない観察眼で見事に描き出しています。単なるギャグ漫画の枠を超え、本作が提示するのは「完璧ではないヒーロー」としての父の肖像です。ビールを片手に虚勢を張りつつも、子供たちとの静寂ゲームに必死になるその姿には、現代の家庭が抱える等身大の葛藤と、それを上回る深い情愛が凝縮されています。 読者は一コマごとに、自身の記憶にある「不器用な父性」と対峙することになるでしょう。見栄や失敗さえも家族の絆へと昇華させるライリーのユーモアは、まさに日常の機微を捉えた芸術品です。言葉少なに語られる父の背中と、その裏側にある人間臭い戸惑い。それらすべてを肯定する温かな眼差しが、読む者の心に痛快で、かつ忘れがたい余韻を残します。