My thanks to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for an advance copy of this graphic novel that continues the adventures of Buddy Bradley once the angry young man of the 1990's now a father and husband in the 2020's, still dealing with many of the same problems, though with age comes even more difficulties.

My comics for the longest period of time were always superheroes. I had read other works but most of those were fantasy, horror or science fiction. Comics set in the real world without radioactive heroes, or even turtles knowing martial arts, didn't seem to interest me. Why did I care about some guy my age dealing with things. I was my age and dealing with things, I read to escape not go, oh yeah that guy is miserable just like me, let me read more of that. The owner of my comic book store was a little older than I was, and was more into independent comic scene than I was. He also had a policy, If I tell you something is good and you don't like it, he would take it back no questions asked. Though maybe you would be found lacking. That's how I started on Neat Stuff by Peter Bagge. I think it was pricey, but well to get the nod of acknowledgment from a comic book owner for liking what he liked was my drug, so I bought it. And liked it. And that is my Buddy Bradley origin story. Over the years I have followed the travails of young Buddy, growing older like myself, but it has been a while. Which is why I enjoyed this comic so much. Hate Revisited! written and illustrated by Peter Bagge, brings Buddy to the beginning of the 2020's with all of the problems we have now, as well as looking back at the past, to see how the Bradley menagerie, and we as readers got here.

The time is the end of COVID, and Buddy Bradley and Lisa Leavenworth are going to start visiting family, while worrying about their son and his life decisions. A visit to an old roommate and an od girlfriend reminds Buddy of the younger days, sharing a room with his friend Stinky, and meeting George for the first time. Buddy remembers days with Val, and realizes now that something was wrong with their relationship, and is glad that ended the way it did. Thinking of Stinky Buddy fears that his son is going to make some of the bad decisions he made with his friend, and their plans to buy a small plot of land and build a house in the Washington countryside. Buddy's sister calls off her wedding, and starts to date a person Buddy knows, but thinks will be wrong for her. Meanwhile Stinky starts to fill Buddy's thoughts, as Buddy remembers much about the past he wishes he could do again, or just forget.

The story is told in the present in full color, and in the past in black and white, with familiar dots. I liked the touch, the look back, even the art style that seems to regress a little as Bagge fills in bits a pieces. The future stuff is interesting and something many families can probably deal with I like this Buddy, a guy who is just trying to do right. Buddy has matured in many ways, though he still can be paranoid, and jump to conclusions. Watching Bagge change as an artist is also fascinating. To read about Buddy in the past, while discussing things rationally today, shows a lot of growth for both the writer and his characters. In comics characters seem trapped in amber. To see Buddy now, well it makes me wonder what I did wrong. Which is a good thing.

A really good story. I can see some people would be upset by the politics, but well get over it. If a comic character makes one uncomfortable, well maybe one should question why. I really enjoyed this, and hope to see more, and I am always happy to see anything with Peter Bagge's name on it.

Peter Bagge's back, baby! And he's bringing a compelling continuation of Buddy Bradley's story, blending sharp humor with poignant reflections on aging and societal change. Just don't dig to deep into his old interviews, and you'll be fine.

Peter Bagge is a giant of the underground comic scene, and HATE is a very important book.
I personally don't love it or cherish it, but i recognize it's importantce and found it a fun reread.
The humour is quite cringe and maybe a bit too close to what my early teen years were like.
This is a must for collectors and underground comic fans.