“Get Naked”

I picked up “Get Naked,” by Steven T. Seagle, on a whim. Mostly because it was titled “Get Naked.” Immediately thoughts of old “Benny Hill” hijinks ran through my mind. Why was Benny Hill the first place I went? I have no idea, my mind is a strange place sometimes. But the idea put a smile on my face, which is enough for me to pick up a book sometimes. What I got instead was a graphic novel so good and incredibly engrossing that it truly deserves to be shared.

Cover by Mads Ellegård Skovbakke

Written by Steven T. Seagle
Illustrated and colored by Mads Ellegard Skovbakke, Fred Tornager, Thor Petersen, Sim Mau, Rebekka Hestbeak, Emei Olivia Burell, Andrada Hansen, Erlend Sandoy, Ingvild Methi, Thomas Vium, Christoffer Hammer, Aske Rose, Silja Lin, Angelica Jorgensen, Tina Burholt, Hope Hjort, Bob Kristiansen, Cecilie Thorsen and Patricia Amalie Eckerle

In the spirit of essayist David Sedaris and monologist Spalding Grey, SEAGLE and 19 emerging global cartoonists take drawn storytelling into the world of the “graphic essay.” 19 stories of global attitudes about the naked body balance raw comedy, raw emotions, and raw cartooning. SEAGLE honestly chronicles his place as an undressed metaphorical fish out of water on different continents—from not recognizing a famous naked celeb in Hollywood to being naked and eaten by actual fish in Tokyo.

Seagle, who is best known for his work on Ben 10, “Uncanny X-Men” & “American Virgin,” takes us through a first-person narration of his life and coming to terms with his body. This isn’t a “you’ll have hair growing here” type of story (although there is some of that), but more of a modesty self-assessment. He has, mostly through comic convention trips, been blessed with the opportunity to visit a litany of Countries. In doing so, Seagle acquired and cultivated a penchant for visiting spas. What grew from a desire to visit local sights and a need to perform some daily cardio, eventually turned into a true appreciation of the comradery found within spas and the people who frequent them.

Broken down on a per City basis, the short stories highlight particular moments within Seagle’s life where, for one reason or another, he has found himself near or totally naked. These moments range from the innocent to the adventurous. From Seagle’s early childhood reluctance at showering in school because of his slight frame, to his quest for finding a spa while on vacation, even if one was hours away. Each story features animation from a different cartoonist, bringing an eclectic feel to the chapters that marry the mood of the stories to the individual’s art.

While most of the stories highlight how Seagle’s self-image evolved by putting himself into positions where he would have to be communally nude. The true magnificence of the novel comes in the discussion of American’s unwillingness to be naked. By showing how his views (based on his American upbringing) could be swayed and changed through his various experiences, Seagle highlights the different means in which the world sees nakedness.

It is clear that Seagle’s opinion on the subject has completely turned from that of his childhood. His arguments for such a departure come across very heartfelt. By the end, you are left wondering if a progressive look at the subject could be healthier for the public at large. He also highlights that American’s prudishness towards the subject of nudity hasn’t always been so stringent. That it has morphed over the past 30-50 years into the near zero-tolerance culture of public nudity we have now.

As a Florida raised Hispanic, I find my views on nudity to be far laxer than the average American. Even then, Seagle’s depiction of worldviews are far, far more laidback than what I would be comfortable with. While I struggle to instill a sense of self-importance and understanding regarding nudity in my children, I’d be remiss to say that I would be completely comfortable with the Danish, or German view described in the book. There is a significant gap between no nudity and complete nudity. While logically the downplaying and acceptance of our bodies can only be for the best and lead to greater mental health, the thought of young children along with their swimming instructor and everyone else in the pool being nude is a difficult bridge to cross. But knowing that these views exist, and that they are cherished, is the soul of the book. Ultimately, any easing of guilt or apprehension that can make its way into someone’s mind regarding their body or nudity is a boon to that person. If that can lead to greater life experiences, then it is all for the better.

Seagle should be commended for putting together such a warm novel that is clearly close to his heart. It is a wonderful piece of literature and you will not be disappointed if you pick it up.

Oh! And on the chance Steven is reading this, we need more Joe Kelly stories where his “Fight or Flight” instinct doesn’t quite work.