Books like Horror Hospital Unplugged: A Graphic Novel

This is a graphic novel, which is a fancy term for a great big, expensive comic book with a more sturdy cover. However, do not be deceived - it is nothing like a Batman comic (well, except perhaps in the homoeroticism) or even a Betty and Veronica issue (ditto, and add the same brilliant campiness too). Dennis Cooper wrote the text, based on a short story of his which inspired the comic. Keith Mayerson is the graphic artist behind this project - and such drawings they are! This book is dizzying in its scope, references and drawing styles and techniques. Some pages might take you twenty minutes to appreciate all the tiny comments and drawings and subtle critiques/observations. The basic storyline concerns itself with a predominantly queer punk band called HORROR HOSPITAL - in particular, its lead singer, Trevor Machine. It follows the group through its adventures and misadventures with record company executives (such as David Geffen), interviewers and various hangers-on. Along the way, Trevor falls in love with a boy named Tim (understandable - we're an adorable nomenclature...), but cannot bring himself to say it until very near the end, by which point it is, of course, too late, as Tim gets killed in a car accident. I am not sure that I could convey how mind-blowingly stunning this book is. It is, however - and the ending made me cry, which does not happen to me often in reaction to something written or illustrated.