Pedro and Me 
asked by onthemic on November 28, 2006 3:09 AM
Without the third season of MTV's The Real World, set in San Francisco, Pedro Zamora would have lived and died quietly, a Cuban immigrant who became an AIDS educator after his HIV diagnosis at the age of 17. But in 1993, he and seven others were selected for the cast of The Real World, and Pedro's battle with AIDS, his irrepressible good nature, his love affair with Sean Sasser, and his growing friendship with his housemates would become public knowledge. When Pedro succumbed to complications of AIDS in November 1994, news of his death was carried on every major network and made international headlines. Thousands of letters arrived from around the world. Even President Clinton applauded Pedro's bravery in speaking out to young people about AIDS prevention and self-esteem. Judd Winick, a struggling cartoonist, had also been chosen for that season of The Real World, and became Pedro's roommate and close friend. His cartoon memoir tells the story of their friendship and serves as a vivid memorial to a bright-eyed and gifted man who made more of his 22 years of life than most of us could make of 80. --Regina Marler
Reviews
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Judd Winick's "Pedro and Me" does what the most highly regarded graphic novels do-it captures a particular moment in time and depicts the human condition like the best in literature and film do, much like art spiegelman's acclaimed "Maus," another highly regarded story told in sequential art.
Through Winick's telling of the friendship between he and Pedro Zamora, we are able to see beyond what was depicted on camera during the season of MTV's "The Real World" where they met and became friends. Winick focuses minimal time on showing what we saw during the show's run and includes depictions of some of the other housemates, but briefly. This is not a retelling of what happened during that "Real World" season--if you want that, then buy the DVD's. Instead, the building friendship and cameraderie between Winick and Zamora is what is offered here. The loss of Zamora is seen as all the more tragic when depicted by Winick, as you feel as though the two really had just gotten to know each other. As I remember, much of Zamora's onscreen time on that season of "The Real World" was spent on Pedro as a serious young man/AIDS educator, but here we get to see Pedro as a laughing, jovial sort full of cameraderie and quotable witticisms. The telling of his childhood as a Cuban immigrant and the loss of his mother are especially touching. Everyone should read this book. It is a beautiful work.
Through Winick's telling of the friendship between he and Pedro Zamora, we are able to see beyond what was depicted on camera during the season of MTV's "The Real World" where they met and became friends. Winick focuses minimal time on showing what we saw during the show's run and includes depictions of some of the other housemates, but briefly. This is not a retelling of what happened during that "Real World" season--if you want that, then buy the DVD's. Instead, the building friendship and cameraderie between Winick and Zamora is what is offered here. The loss of Zamora is seen as all the more tragic when depicted by Winick, as you feel as though the two really had just gotten to know each other. As I remember, much of Zamora's onscreen time on that season of "The Real World" was spent on Pedro as a serious young man/AIDS educator, but here we get to see Pedro as a laughing, jovial sort full of cameraderie and quotable witticisms. The telling of his childhood as a Cuban immigrant and the loss of his mother are especially touching. Everyone should read this book. It is a beautiful work.
reviewed by bigchad on November 29, 2006 9:43 AM
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I barely remembered the show real world when pedro was on. I happened to find this book in a library when I was waiting for the bus. I read this book in one sitting. It is a beautiful story about Pedro. It also tells a lot about the real world experience. I do think that this book should be read by all teenage students for the way it was written. It is written in a cartoon style..........anyone could read it, it really has a lot of information about aids prevention with out getting all preachy. When I finished reading this book , I felt emotionally drained. I really wish I could have met Pedro.
I also wish that MTV would release the whole season on dvd.
I also wish that MTV would release the whole season on dvd.
reviewed by librarian on November 29, 2006 4:43 PM
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I have never seen 'The Real World', nor had I heard of Pedro. I merely picked this book up on a whim, and discovered an amazing tale of friendship, both beautifully drawn and exceptionally realised. Brief, but hard to forget.
Winick's life has obviously changed after meeting Pedro, and I am suprised so many reviewers feel that he is capitalising on Pedro's death. Rather, Winick strikes me as having a great amount of love and admiration for his former friend, all the while using the comic medium to become a voice for Pedro's cause. Essentially the work is looking to promote AIDS awareness and direct a future that is increasingly knowledgable and embracing of non-normative sexualities.
The art is quite lovely; somewhat like Craig Thompson's 'Blankets', although the comic couldn't be more different. I thought the layouts were quite innovative and the whole piece was quite an achievement and obviously completely heartfelt, which is so uncommon in the comic genre.
However, I did feel that the time in the house was skipped over quite briefly to focus on his death. While the exploration of his demise was important, I think it is also essential to portray more of his household interactions, considering they were the basis for the friendship.
Additionally, the comic's cover is a real led-down point for Winick. It is poorly designed, old-fashioned and quite unappealing. It does not really exhibit the true wonder of this comic, which is a shame, because it is quite masterful.
Irrespective of this, I could not recommend this work enough. It is beautiful and deep, aching and gentle. I really admired it.
Winick's life has obviously changed after meeting Pedro, and I am suprised so many reviewers feel that he is capitalising on Pedro's death. Rather, Winick strikes me as having a great amount of love and admiration for his former friend, all the while using the comic medium to become a voice for Pedro's cause. Essentially the work is looking to promote AIDS awareness and direct a future that is increasingly knowledgable and embracing of non-normative sexualities.
The art is quite lovely; somewhat like Craig Thompson's 'Blankets', although the comic couldn't be more different. I thought the layouts were quite innovative and the whole piece was quite an achievement and obviously completely heartfelt, which is so uncommon in the comic genre.
However, I did feel that the time in the house was skipped over quite briefly to focus on his death. While the exploration of his demise was important, I think it is also essential to portray more of his household interactions, considering they were the basis for the friendship.
Additionally, the comic's cover is a real led-down point for Winick. It is poorly designed, old-fashioned and quite unappealing. It does not really exhibit the true wonder of this comic, which is a shame, because it is quite masterful.
Irrespective of this, I could not recommend this work enough. It is beautiful and deep, aching and gentle. I really admired it.
reviewed by hooked on November 29, 2006 6:02 PM
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This book is the best book I've ever read. It's the only book that I can read over and over again. It changed me and how I look on life. I've lost a friend who I loved and still love dearly. I feel that this book should be read by everyone. Its AWESOME!!!
reviewed by madfool on November 29, 2006 6:07 PM