John "Derf" Backderf was a guest at the Alternative Press Expo in San Jose and nearly the sole reason I went to this diminished version of a once-great convention. He gained his recent fame for
My Friend Dahmer about his high school days with the teen who became a serial killer. While skipping that book, I read his 2015
Trashed graphic novel based on his days as a garbage truck worker. My interest in environmental matters and real work and life experiences drew me to the graphic novel. The book includes research into the national scope of garbage, especially the landfills with dubious systems for containing normal garbage, let alone the many hazardous wastes which often get mixed into household garbage. There is a great deal of horror and humor in making rounds to the local dog pound. Some exasperation at residents who won't follow garbage rules such as leaving out large appliances. One fellow dismantled a car and disposed of it piece by piece. Small town politics and bureaucracy come into play. Some screw-ups by the garbage crew themselves reveal blame on all parties which make up our society. One especially poignant and infuriating matter is the foreclosure garbage pick ups. When houses were taken back by the banks, the families often left many possessions behind them when moving out. The banks sent crews to empty the houses, but didn't take away the property. It's all left out for the garbage crews who discover a giant pile on the street on collection day. I actually read a library copy of the book, but purchased a copy at the con to show some support for a cartoonist who came out from Ohio.
