Asiaddict: A Cartoon Travelogue by Mats!?

200705241238

200705241239

I recently picked up a copy of Asiaddict: A Cartoon Travelogue by the cartoonist Mats!? (His name includes the punctuation).

This 96-page book is not so much a comic book as it is an illustrated chronicle of the things Mats!? experienced during his travels around Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

He has an eye and ear for unusual things that most tourists would be oblivious to, such as hand carved statuettes of Tintin and Serge Gainsbourg, garish hand painted movie posters, and funny guesthouse rules:

LAOS GUESTHOUSE RULES:

1. DO NOT USE NOISE

2. INTHE HOLEL, DO NOT HAVE MAN AND WOMAN SLEEP TOGETHER IN THE ROOM IF THEY HAVE NOT HUSBAND AND WIFE, FATHER MOTHER, DAUGHTER AND SON

3. DO NOT TAKE OPIUM OR SMOKE IN ROOM

In addition to calling attention to unusual architecture, products, and customs, Mats!? also relates interesting travel experiences, such as getting treated for a potentially rabid animal bite ("All in all quite the pleasant experience, as you'll most likely be fawned over by three nurses treating you as if you were a serious gunshot victim.") and getting shaken down by a Bangkok police officer for throwing a cigarette butt on the sidewalk.

Mats!? also made a soundtrack for his book, available on YouTube. He has a blog, too, filled with posts about the ever-fascinating world of the far east as experienced by a curious and enthusiastic westerner.

Link