Just as there are many nuanced subgenres of music, literature and fetishes, so are there distinct variations within the category of “cute.” The less whimsically-inclined may lump all of cutedom into a saccharine Sanrio sludge, but true aficionados know how to tell the Hello Kitties from the Musties. On the surface, the two books up for review may seem overtly cloying, even knowing the sincerity of the creators. Happy Kitty Bunny Pony collects some choice ephemera from the archives of pop culture and design maven Charles S. Anderson. Elevating the tome to more than a mere gallery of kitsch is commentary by Michael J. Nelson, former host and head writer of the legendary campfest Mystery Science Theater 3000. Like his on-screen banter, Nelson’s snarky remarks are meant to squeeze new life out of trifling trash. Brightly-colored, big-eyed renderings of smiling fuzzy chicks and fawns are always good for a quick fix of pleasant nostalgia. But a dense collection such as this is sure to be somewhat creepy and strangely menacing, even without ironic annotations. The combination often seems obvious and forced, making the joke feel as contrived as the greeting cards the illustrations are culled from. Still, a nice assemblage of overlooked art from a cheesy era. It was only a matter of time before “American Elf” James Kochalka released a credo outlining his famously quirky worldview. A stay-at-home indie artist (and new father), Kochalka has been both praised and panned in the press for his happy-go-lucky output and lifestyle. The leader in exhibitionist diary comics which celebrate the minutiae of everyday life, even his superhero strips make adventures out of the trivial moments overlooked by most busy folks. Some critics accuse the self-proclaimed “Superstar” of raging egomania, but I find his self-exploration a worthwhile contribution to the understanding and appreciation of the everyman in an increasingly harsh and confusing world. Kochalka’s boundless optimism is hardly a gimmick, and even his most simplified accounts of heavy issues are insightful musings on deep-rooted human conditions. Who else could make passing mention of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in a book about flowers and kittens without a trace of hipster irony? The Cute Manifesto encourages joy over existentialism, and the appreciation of simple pleasures over the anxiety of insecurities.

Happy Kitty Bunny Pony

The Cute Manifesto:

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