The Eavesdropper Cafe

The Eavesdropper Cafe
Story and Art By Brian Koschak
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Almost every comic book creator I know has one special story locked in the depths of their mind, perpetually sitting in a state of arrested development. Each of these stories has been attempted and encountered some impassable obstacle. For some it may simply be an issue of time or money preventing them from moving forward, but, whatever the reason, the frustration creators experience at not being able to pursue their pet project often fuels further creative endeavors. One of the best examples of this phenomenon may be Brian Koschak's Eavesdropper Cafe.

The first time I read Eavesdropper I was blown away and not for the usual reasons. The story is short, so the characters and plot don't have time to develop, leaving us feeling as disconnected from them as the protagonist feels toward the rest of the world. However, the possibilities for what is to come seem endless. Koschak uses his first issue to lay a foundation for future storytelling as vast as the horizon. I can think of very few instances where I have been more excited about a first issue than Eavesdropper Cafe; this is exactly what a first issue should be.

The story begins with a self-confessed misanthrope taking us on a back alley journey through the city to a hidden bar. Unfazed by the debauchery of its patrons, our unnamed guide leads us into the private back room of the private back alley bar, where a select few gather to listen to its patrons through hidden microphones. They aren't police or government spooks, but private citizens unable to connect to society through conventional means. The issue ends with our protagonist putting on his headphones and lighting up, preparing for a night of eavesdropping.

As I said before, the potential is boundless. First, just think about the storytelling currency of secrets. Forbidden knowledge provides us with a wealth of opportunity to put our eavesdropper into situations in the world outside the cafe where he may suddenly find himself feeling more connected to the world than he is comfortable with. He may recognize a voice over the headphones that he knows from the outside world or he may in the outside world recognize a voice he knows from the cafe. What if he overhears a younger sibling getting involved in something they shouldn't or mysterious voices plotting his own death? There are so many avenues to explore, it's frustrating this book doesn't come out on a regular basis.

From my perspective, the set-up alone should be enough for you to download the first issue at the criminal price of FREE, but if I have so far failed to impress upon you the greatness that is Eavesdropper Cafe, let me talk about the art. It's quite clear from reading this book that Brian Koschak hates panels. For most of us, panels are a necessary evil of comic book storytelling, Koschak attempts to reject that fundamental notion and weave his panels into the artwork itself. At times a line on one panel may represent a completely different idea on the next, making our journey across the page and through the story fluid. I cannot help but remember a famous quote from Bruce Lee, "You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend." In this regard, I would say Brian Koschak's artwork is like water.

As I stated in the beginning, nearly every comic book creator I know is obsessed with one idea. For Brian Koschak, Eavesdropper Cafe is that idea. It's been thirteen years since Brian put together the first issue. He hasn't exactly been sitting on his heels in the years since. Koschak is probably best known for his work on the Darkhorse Star Wars books, but he also collaborated on Narcoleptic Sunday with Jeremy Haun, and produced a wealth of comic style art both commercially and privately. Despite all that, Eavesdropper Cafe is the one project he can't (won't) leave behind, and for good reason. In the 10th anniversary edition of his book, Koschak said Eavesdropper was well received by readers, but "considered universally 'unmarketable'" by publishers. It's a conflict that predates published storytelling, commercial success vs. artistic fulfillment. The thing I enjoy about small press comics is that you are more likely to find those stubborn creators who are unwilling to sacrifice their vision just to sell more books. Brian Koschak is one of those creators and I hope one day he reopens the well hidden doors of the Eavesdropper Cafe and invites inside for drink.

I told Brian I was planning to review his book a couple of months ago and, honestly, I've felt a bit guilty that it was taking me so long. Now, it seems my procrastination may have been serendipitous, this Friday Brian Koschak is having his first gallery showing in Springfield, MO. For those not from Springfield, the first Friday of every month is designated the Art Walk and all of the downtown galleries open their doors to showcase local artists. This isn't something unique to Springfield, but we're fortunate to have it. Brian's art will be displayed at BookMarx (325 E. Walnut St. in Springfield) for the month of September. If you're in the Springfield area, stop by and check it out. If not, do yourself a favor and download a FREE copy of Eavesdropper Cafe.