Two best-friend outcasts navigate the Sacramento suburbs of 1984, where they find a home in skateboard culture and punk rock. On one side of the coin, Grommets is an authentic look at 80s skate culture, a snapshot of the generation that turned skating into a worldwide phenomenon. On the other, it’s a heartfelt coming-of-age story that follows two friends from troubled homes as they navigate their damage in an era when no one cared. Grommets #1 is an interesting start that takes us back to the 80s, warts and all.

I wasn’t a skater in the 80s. I orbited the world, but hanging out in skate parks and hopping on a board weren’t things I did growing up. There were friends that skated though, so I had a peak into that culture and world. Writers Rick Remender and Brian Posehn attempt to capture it all and the result is a rather exaggerated, comedic take, that also takes us back to the more cringe of that time period too.

Grommets #1, so far, is about two outcasts. One is due to their constant moving while the other is that person you knew that always exaggerated. The duo are up against the pressure of their peers with teasing and put downs and challenges to put up or shut up. It all works, and works well, and captures the time period. That includes the constant homophobia which will likely make readers cringe now but it’s realistic to that time period. Remender and Posehn lay it on a bit too much but the comic overall is full of exaggeration and extremes.

That exaggeration is emphasized in the art by Brett Parson with color by Moreno Dinisio and lettering by Rus Wooton. The extreme is clear in the final moments of the comic that lead to a titanic spill and embarrassment. The style though is solid for the story and world, it captures a bit of the skater vibe.

Grommets #1 is an interesting debut. It’s more a comedic “slice of life” comic than anything else with low stakes. It’s all rather quaint in a way delivering a comic that’s nostalgia of a time growing up.

Story: Rick Remender, Brian Posehn Art: Brett Parson
Color: Moreno Dinisio Letterer: Rus Wooton
Story: 7.25 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.35 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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