Book Description

Rabbits.We'll never quite know why, but sometimes they decide they've just had enough of this world- and that's when they start getting inventive.The Book of Bunny Suicides follows over one hundred bunnies as they find ever more outlandish ways to do themselves in.From an encounter with the business end of Darth Vader's lightsaber, to supergluing themselves to a diving submarine, to hanging around underneath a loose stalactite, these bunnies are serious about suicide.

Illustrated in a stark and simple style, The Book of Bunny Suicides is a collection of hilarious and outrageous cartoons that will appeal to anyone in touch with their evil side. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Funny bunnycide
Andy Riley, a British cartoonist and creator of a weekly comic strip in the Observer, tackles the off-the-wall subject of bunnies who simply can't go on living any more. These cartoons explore the outrageous and creative ways a bunny might dispatch itself to that great hutch in the sky. These include such methods as sunning on the beach while Noah loads the Ark, becoming ballast for a hot air balloon, and catapulting through venetian blinds. This book is morbidly funny and tragically silly. If you like humor that's a cross between The Addams Family and The Far Side, this book is for you.

somebunny is a very sick puppy
Very sick and twisted book. A few toons fall flat, and some take too long to play out (taking several panels to accomplish what could be said in two or three), but some are very funny, indeed. Could've been a bit longer, too (only 80-90 pages). For all those who loved 101 USES FOR A DEAD CAT and HAPPY TREE FRIENDS.

Hippity Hop
Totally sick book and great fun for anyone looking for a five minute distraction from the day!

hilarious, if you're sick like me
Okay, maybe I'm sick, but I found this book really amusing. Basically, it's a bunch of comics in which bunnies commit suicide in some really strange ways. I'm sure everyone who's read this and liked it has their favorite few. There seems to be a suicide theme for just about everyone - Star Trek, Star Wars, football, aliens, farming, and the Olympics, just to name a few. One of the things that makes these comics so funny, I think, is the absolutely blank expression on the bunnies faces - every weird act of suicide just happens to be an everyday thing in their lives. I can definitely see the price being a problem, for some, since this whole book can be read ("looked through" would actually be more accurate, since there are hardly any words to read - these comics mostly don't have captions, or any speaking) in a few minutes, although some of the suicides may take more time to decipher than others. The really squeemish may also have problems with this book, since some of the comics show the "after" of the suicide attempt. The comics aren't drawn realistically, so I wouldn't think that the "afters" would be too much of a problem with most people, especially the kind of people who would pick up a book with the words "bunny" and "suicides" in the title. The title and covers should be warning enough, for those who might be offended by this kind of humor. Anyway, if you don't mind the price and the length, you should get this book. It's really very funny, and you can gross out your friends and family with it!

hilarious!
This book caught the eye of one of my coworkers while he was waiting in line at the Starbucks/Barnes & Noble. His humour is slightly...off...so he had to buy it. Not much work got done after the book was brought into the office. This book is twisted and kind of sad, but VERY funny. ... Read more

Book Description

As a superhuman lawyer, She-Hulk has tried some of the strangest cases on Earth... but all of that is about to change! Empowered by the Living Tribunal, Shulkie is heading into deep space to practice Universal Law! Guest-starring Adam Warlock, Gamora, and Pip the Troll!Plus: Out of all of She-Hulk's enemies, no one hates her more than Titania! So what's her beef? Where did all this hostility come from? What made little Skeeter MacPherran into the angry Amazon she is today? And what's about to make her one of the deadliest threats in the Marvel Universe? Special appearances by the Absorbing Man, Spider-Woman, and Doctor Doom! And finally, a major power boost has made She-Hulk stronger than ever - maybe even stronger than special guest-star Hercules! Feats of strength can wait, however, because this emerald enchantress is going to the books and relying on brains, not brawn, to get the Prince of Power out of some Herculean legal problems. ... Read more

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

American Gods is Neil Gaiman's best and most ambitious novel yet, a scary, strange, and hallucinogenic road-trip story wrapped around a deep examination of the American spirit. Gaiman tackles everything from the onslaught of the information age to the meaning of death, but he doesn't sacrifice the razor-sharp plotting and narrative style he's been delivering since his Sandman days.

Shadow gets out of prison early when his wife is killed in a car crash. At a loss, he takes up with a mysterious character called Wednesday, who is much more than he appears. In fact, Wednesday is an old god, once known as Odin the All-father, who is roaming America rounding up his forgotten fellows in preparation for an epic battle against the upstart deities of the Internet, credit cards, television, and all that is wired. Shadow agrees to help Wednesday, and they whirl through a psycho-spiritual storm that becomes all too real in its manifestations. For instance, Shadow's dead wife Laura keeps showing up, and not just as a ghost--the difficulty of their continuing relationship is by turns grim and darkly funny, just like the rest of the book.

Armed only with some coin tricks and a sense of purpose, Shadow travels through, around, and underneath the visible surface of things, digging up all the powerful myths Americans brought with them in their journeys to this land as well as the ones that were already here. Shadow's road story is the heart of the novel, and it's here that Gaiman offers up the details that make this such a cinematic book--the distinctly American foods and diversions, the bizarre roadside attractions, the decrepit gods reduced to shell games and prostitution. "This is a bad land for Gods," says Shadow.

More than a tourist in America, but not a native, Neil Gaiman offers an outside-in and inside-out perspective on the soul and spirituality of the country--our obsessions with money and power, our jumbled religious heritage and its societal outcomes, and the millennial decisions we face about what's real and what's not. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Reviews (419)

Missing Gods
I have enjoyed reading Neil Gaiman for awhile now. I first read his Sandman comics and then I read his novel Neverwhere. Gaiman has a knack for coming up with extremely clever ideas of a mystical nature and carrying them off with energy and atmosphere. I looked forward to much of the same with this novel, American Gods. Though not quite up to the level of his previous stories, there is much to like here. As always with Gaiman, the idea here is very clever; namely, that when the settlers from the Old World settled America, they brought with them their various gods. Since a god's "health" is maintained by the amount of worship received, the Native American gods were overshadowed by a new pantheon. The thrust of this novel is that the Old World Gods--Odin, Loki, leprechauns, etc.--are being replaced by technological/consumer "gods." (The television, for example, comes to life at one point.) But these old gods aren't going to go out without a fight. The story follows the adventures of a man named Shadow, a recently freed ex-con haunted (literally) by his recently deceased, cheating wife, who is hired by Wednesday, a creature Shadow slowly learns is a version of the god Odin. The two of them travel around gathering up the old gods into an army to battle the new gods. Needless to say, there are plenty of twists and turns leading to a surprise ending of sorts. There are problems here, however. One: the characters are interesting but only superficially. It is difficult to ultimately care about what happens to any of them with possibly a couple of exceptions. Two: the "gods" in question here are not any that most people would consider gods. The entire Judeo-Christian influence is pretty much ignored apart from some subtle imagery. I find it difficult to swallow a novel about American gods that ignores these influences. Still, the novel is a quick read and does present some ideas that are interesting to chew over. How dependent on worship is a god's power? What is the nature of sacred objects and sacred places? Is technology and consumerism taking over the role of religion in America? I just wish the characters had been a little more engaging and the story a little more energetic.

jaw droppingly good
I thought this was an amazingly complex and wonderful read. Neil Gaiman manages to tie in bits of dozens of fables, myths, and legends, and make it all work together. I finished this book, thinking- it all makes complete sense. We create gods with our thoughts, and some day (if they haven't already), they're going to be offended by our lapses in worship and our promiscuous jumping around from "religion" to "religion". One day, they're going to battle it out for supreme leadership over us. Every day, is a battle between these beings, and none of us mortals will ever know or understand. Except for Shadow.

The book builds up splendidly to a frightening encounter between the old and new gods of the world. But before all that, we are following the journey of Shadow, a con who was granted an early parole of a few days because of his wife's tragic death. Shadow's a simple, solid guy. He just wanted 3 things when he got out of jail. To take a bath, be with his wife, and stay out of trouble. He had no idea what he was going to walk into.

It's an intriguing world that Gaiman unveils, one that you almost could believe was real- one that you want to believe is real, because the alternative just makes the world seem so much paler and ordinary in contrast.

ETBR - American Gods
1. Reflections: When this book was written, it became an immediate bestseller. Previously, Gaiman had only been known for his lengthy and verbose Sandman graphic novels, more of a specialist collection of the strange and beautiful. Why did people respond so well to American Gods?

2. Thematics: American Gods continually claims that the existence of gods is only because we need them, and when we lose the need, they fade into oblivion. Does Gaiman offer any solutions to this problem?

3. Characterization: From the moment we are introduced to him Shadow remains a mystery. As we follow him on his journey, it could be said that he is a walking shadow. Yet there is a deeper significance of his name. What is it?

4. Symbolism: Gaiman asserts that many objects in today's world, such as historical monuments, popular festivals, and contemporary philosophies, had their roots in a pan-theological foundation, or from the hands of many gods. What examples do you see in American Gods? What examples do you see that Gaiman doesn't mention?

5. Authorship: In Gaiman's other works, he often writes about similar themes. The gods in the contemporary world, the reality of the dream, the immortal nature of the spirit world, the failing of the gods to appease mortals and thus are forgotten, the mastery of the human over the material but limited in the spiritual: these are all themes be tries to work into his books. In what ways does Gaiman break with his tradition in American Gods? In what ways has his philosophy changed by becoming a novelist?

Beautifully written but fragmented
This book was beautifully written, but I just seemed too fragmented to make much sense. Maybe the concept is just over my head, but I found I didn't enjoy it. I found the characters interesting and complex, but the book seemed to lack cohesiveness. Perhaps it culminated into something that made sense at the end, but I couldn't wait that long. I opted to give it up and read something that fell more in line with the usual shape of fiction.

A Brilliant Concept With Mediocre Execution
I'm a longtime fan of Neil Gaiman's work, but after reading American Gods it seems to me that dialogue is not the strongest aspect of his talent. The novel's concept is brilliant - the Old World gods fighting for survival in the New World - but Gaiman lacks a vision for where his characters are going (ironic, because it always seemed he was in complete control of this in his Sandman work). So, the novel ambles along and occasionally becomes downright boring. Gaiman is at his best when telling stories of the old gods - his gift is clearly his ability to construct an intriguing narrative - but he is at his worst when characters actually have to speak to one another. Dialogue often sounds forced, particularly when Gaiman attempts to have them speak "American" English.

It's clear the author was aiming for a great American novel, but he only sees the surface and his ear for how we Americans sound is superficial at best. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a whimsical guide to drawing faeries from best-selling art instruction author Christopher Hart. Included are all the popular ingredients of the faerie kingdom-faerie personalities, faeries at work, faeries at play, faerie expressions, faeries in flight, faerie magic, faeries facing predatory household pets, and the secret faerie rituals of birth, courtship, and marriage. Step-by-step instructions for drawing faeries are revealed through a captivating story of a man-now grown up-who as a youth gained secret knowledge of where the faeries live and play, and having done so, was able to capture on paper the elusive creatures in their unguarded moments. The overall design and presentation of the book will enchant and envelop artists in a magical world of faeries. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Inspiring
Marvelous. It's in the name: - a believers guide. If you were not a believer prior, you become a believer once you dive into this book and let your imagination bring to life the characters you create using the simple, strait forward logical steps. Guiding the reader thru various faerie characters, their life, emotions, movement, clothing as well as their friends to create your own faerie world. Thanks to this book, the population of faeries in this universe will grow tremendously.

How to draw faeries
This is a good book that shows you the basics for drawing for drawing these creatures. They have step by step procedures, emotions, clothing, and information about each picture.
The only bad thing about it is that there is only one picture of a winged fairy(the picture is also on the front cover)all other faeries are wingless in this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (28)

The ultimate guide on HOW to animate
Any animator looking for a book to help them improve their craft knows that most books on animation usually fall short in so many ways, it's easy to think it's impossible to write a comprehensive and accurate book on the subject (don't even get me started about the abysmal state of computer character animation books). Williams is the penultimate animator's animator and he tells it like it is. Williams systematically demystifies virtually every aspect of animation from simple walk cycles, to breaking joints to dialogue and acting. Along the way, he corrects or eliminates information that is inaccurate or practices that distract (lose the headphones and the rad tunes when you work and watch your quality and quantity improve). Williams also is a great storyteller and writer. His accounts with Milt Kahl, Art Babbit and Ken Harris are gems, giving real insight into the personalities of these ingenious men. Since so much of the book is gleaned from his tutaluge under the now-gone "greats" of animation, any price for this tome is a steal. His gift to the world is this book.

If you want learn to REALLY animate characters with life and believability, get this book.

A Legendary Animator Tells it Like It Is
Richard Williams is a man who is largely responsible for the revival of the art of animation in the early 1970s. Williams had Disney animator Art Babbitt and Warner great Ken Harris working in his studio in London and training a new generation of animators in the techniques of good character animation, which was not taught at the time in any school or considered an art form.

Williams' long awaited book on animation technique is the logical successor to Preston Blair's CARTOON ANIMATION and it successfully updates some of the weaknesses of that book, particularly in handling dialogue animation. He covers a lot of the same ground that Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston did in their now out-of-print THE ILLUSION OF LIFE.

There is some history, but that's available in other books. What is unique about this book is that Williams writes how surprised he, an Academy Award winning animator with a successful professional studio, was to learn that he needed to learn just about everything over again from Harris and Babbitt. Fortunately for us he is now sharing these priceless lessons with the public.

The most important thing that an aspiring animator will get from this book is: that animation IS an art form, and good animation has nothing to do with whether it is done on computer or on paper. Williams exhorts his readers to 'draw whenever possible' and even though there is a computer modelled figure on the cover of the book, there is not a single piece of computer generated imagery in it. The book is about the bare bones, about creating life in art. Animation is the twentieth century's contribution to world art and deserves to be taken very seriously.

Buy this book.

Excellent!
I have been looking for a book like this for over a decade.
The detail is excellent.
The "fun to read" and "easy to understand style" of this book, is the cherry with whipped cream on top!
You will love this book and reach for it again and again and again.
Richard Willams book is a powerhouse of visual information.

Phenomenal
Of all the animation books I have read, this is by far the best. I found it more useful and detailed than Preston Blaire's book. This is essential.

Incredible
I've only read through about 50 pages of this book so far, but... omigod what an awesome book! Definitely should be on the shelf of anyone serious about character animation, whether you are doing 3D digital animation or traditional hand-drawn animation. Williams goes into incredible detail on motion, 'tweening, timing, and also has some great anecdotes from working with some of the legendary animators from Disney and Warner Brothers. ... Read more

Book Description

An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living. This volume follows our band of survivors on their tragic journey in search of shelter. Characters live and die as they brave a treacherous landscape littered with packs of the walking dead. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

This has movie written all over it...
John Broome and Gil Kane pretty much mapped out the world of GL through these stories. The GL corps, the Guardians, Hal's origin with getting the power ring, the first battle with Sinestro. It's all in here. Would make a great movie.

Comics as they should be
The first Volume reprinting the Hal Jordan Green Lantern series.

As the issues are not affordable this is just the way to enjoy the old stories that we all loved.

Some Classic stories here including the first Hector Harmond and the first glimpse of the Guardians of the Universe.

Far and away better than the current series both story and art.

Looking forward to future issue featuring Alan Scott crossovers.

Classic stuff
The first volume of the Green Lantern Archives is delightful stuff. Great sci-fi adventures, with terrific art by the late Gil Kane. I wasn't a Hal Jordon fan before I read this, but now I'm rethinking my position.

My only real grumble is that, aside from Hector Hammond, the really good GL villains aren't on display. But you have to start somewhere. If you've never really dug on GL before, give this a shot. It's worth it.

Silver age classic stories on Green Lantern Hal Jordan!
Green Lantern Archives Volume 1 reprints the early stories of the second Green Lantern of Earth, Hal Jordan, from the Silver Age of comics. Reprinting Showcase #22-24 and Green Lantern (second series) #1-5, we see the early days of Hal Jordan becoming a superhero as well as his supporting cast of characters. True classics. A must read for any fan of Green Lantern Hal Jordan!

Beware his power!
Green Lantern - arguably as powerful as Superman but back in the 1960s perhaps one of the more unsung super-heroes - returns in his earliest Silver Age adventures! Nobody did it better than John Broome and Gil Kane - the heroes, allies and villians are - out of this world!

This is one of only a handful of Silver Age archives in print right now - many of the others, especially those for Superman and Batman, showcase Golden Age stories. While these are classics, it is the Silver Age where comics really blossomed, and Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) is a prime example.

The Green Lantern archives published to date (#1-3) contain hard-to-find (and expensive!) issues of Hal Jordan's earliest exploits, including origins and battles with his yellow power-ringed arch enemy Sinestro, Hector Hammond and others, plus his classic, colorful and extraordinary team-ups with The Fastest Man Alive - Flash (Barry Allen).

This is a must-buy, must-own and must-read series for any serious fan of the Silver Age - or comics in general. Good reading for those darkest days and blackest nights! ... Read more

Book Description

Ten years after the Sith War, the Dark Lord of the Sith`s chief lieutenant, Ulic Qel-Droma has been stripped of his Force powers and has isolated himself in a distant corner of the galaxy, trying to escape from a life he would rather forget. But his past is about to catch up with him as he is tracked down by Vima, the daughter of Nomi Sunrider, the woman who blinded Ulic to the Force. Vima seeks a teacher and Ulic sees in her a chance at redemption. Unfortunately, Vima`s disappearance draws attention, and the search party sent to look for her includes a vicious Jedi seeking revenge upon Ulic for killing her mate. Collecting the four-issue mini-series. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Redemption in the Star Wars universe
Although the universe of Star Wars novels are cluttered with terrible stories, one can always count the talented writers at Dark Horse comics to deliver a redeeming story for fans, and 'Redemption' is a good one.

A sequel to the 'Sith War' and possibly the last of the Tales of the Jedi books, 'Redemption' focuses on Ulic, a Jedi-gone-bad who seeks to find peace from his crimes. Of course, like in all melodrama, this can't be allowed, as the daughter of his former love comes looking for him. Of course, there are those who seek revenge as well, and come looking for it.

'Redemption' is a good story. Not great, but it definately has all the elements for a fun read. There's some action (although not as much as most other Star Wars stories) plenty of angst and drama, and just a touch of romance. A good story and strong characters make this one of the better Star Wars graphic novels out there, and an excellent finale to the 'Tales of the jedi' series.

The end of the Great Jedi - Sith Wars?
Redemption takes place 10 years after the Sith War, or on my Time Line, 3986 before NH. It is a TPB Comic collecting the issues 1 through 5 of STAR WARS: TALES OF THE JEDI REDEMPTION.

It is the continuing story of Ulic Qel-droma including Nomi Sunrider. Exar kun has been destroyed and Ulic stripped of his powers. This is his story of redemption, and his journey back to from the dark side. This is also supposed to be a story that is in the holocrons discovered 4000 years later.

We are still in the old republic Era but this comic released in July, 2001 presents Art and coloring that are a stunning improvement. Dark horse is on it way to arriving at the products that they finally start releasing in 2002.

On the SW timeline this is the first time we get to see the future of art, drawing and coloring that dark horse will be putting out in the future and it is spin chillingly great! Made in singapore, the binding is good and can stand the stess of someone actually opening the beook and reading it. After Dark Horse moves manufacture to China, the binding takes a sharp decline. Any attempt to actually open and read the comic can result in it falling apart in your hands.

This is written by Kevin j Anderson, so the continuity and foreshadowing are all here for those who are actively reading the SW offering of comic and Novels. I know Kevin gets his knocks, but I am a fan. He is one of the two authors I'd love to meet and talk to. Kevin, I hope you are alive and well! I also still argue that his JEDI ACADEMY trilogy is extremely important to the expanded universe.

The story at times appears to be a splice job, but that is not uncommon with dark horse. The cover is one of the worst ever produced, so turn the cover page out of site and enjoy.

Redemption is something Anderson will never find.
I am a person that loved the old Tales of the Jedi Saga. Originally Started by Tom Veitch, It was a Series ripe with Character, heart, action, and the certain charm that the jedi mythology is known for, all writtem magnificently well. In the Beginning tales of the Jedi was Dark Horses Flagship Star Wars Series. It was a Golden Age.

Then Tom Veitch made a horrible mistake. That mistake was Working with Kevin J Anderson, to create a Villan that would Appear in Andersons Novels, and in the TOTJ Series; Exar Kun. The Villan was one of the favorites in Star Wars expanded universe, but working with anderson meant that Veitch would have to allow Anderson to write the later half of the 12 issue series revolving around Exar Kuns rise to power from Jedi student to Sith Lord. From that Point onward, Thanks to Andersons horrid writing and complete dirth of talent, the TOTJ series started a downward spiral. Andersons Assault and the TOTJ series started with the Sith war, a lackluster story compared to the magnificent Dark Lord Of the Sith Prequal that set it up... Then Anderson Continued to obliterate this once grand series with Golden Age Of the Sith, and Fall Of The Sith Empire. This, was Andersons last chance to revive the series, why they didnt just ask Veitch to write it, I dont know. But this is the last TOTJ story that has been, and likely will ever be published. The Breathtaking and grand saga that Tom Veitch Began, was destroyed by a force darker then any Sith Lord or Dark Jedi; Kevin J Anderson has MUCH to answer for.

In all honesty, for most of this story, it seemed as though Anderson was on the right track. Ulic Found that during a near death experiance, in which he was welcoming death, he had a jedi vision from his dead master. Which should have been impossible, seeing as how his jedi powers were supposed to be sealed. This gave Ulic hope, and purpose to continue living, later... The daughter of the woman he once loved, Vima, showed up asking him to train her in the Jedi arts. Why him, well its a contrived plot point, but Nomi was supposedly too busy As a Jedi to train her daughter, and the other 5000 jedi that were around at the time were busy doing stuff to, or so would Anderson have you beleive. But despite the hideous amount of Plot Contrivance, including Andersons most hideous attempt at a romantic pairing yet, he did manage to create some decent story telling for once... Ulic finds peace with the force, forgive for his crimes, a place back amongst his former comrades, and potentially a way to feel the force once again... Until in the last pages he is shot in the back and killed by a smuggler wanting to be known as the man who killed Ulic Qel Droma, and runs back to the bar to tell his friends. *IM NOT KIDDING*

I dont know what Anderson was smoking at the time, but the thought that this is a suitable way to end Ulics tale of Redemption was just plain Idiocy. In the prior Stories, Ulic had been poisoned by Sith Chemicals, been driven mad by the murder of his master, Disowned the jedi and his lover in his madness, fought and murdered his own brother, and had his Jedi powers sealed by the very woman that once loved him. If he was meant to die, there could have been a thousand more suitable deaths then just to be shot in the back by a unnamed piece of Bar Trash. In the Ten years since he was punished by Nomi Sunrider, his life was one of isolation, and dedication. such a death, is as pointless and meaningless as it is contrived, and a slap in the face of the fans that were looking for The Tales of the Jedi Series to return to its former greatness.

Anderson I doubt will ever write for Star Wars Again, as it is a popular rumor that Lucas himself asked anderson not to write any further tales set in his Universe. Unforutnately the damage is done, and one of my favorite series, is no more. The Title of the story is named redemption, But in the eyes of lucas and casual Fans of the Expanded universe such as myself, Redemption is something Anderson has yet to find.

A fitting end to a series
Redemption is the last of the Tales of the Jedi comics, a series that recounted the events during the Great Sith War 4,000yrs ago. Redemption is better read after at least reading Dark Lord of the Sith and The Sith War. The conflicts here are on a personal and emotional level, not another interstellar battle.

A decade after the Jedi defeated the Sith reemergence, a fallen Jedi wonders the galaxy for solitude, blind to the Force and searching for absolution for past crimes. But when a young girl decides he's the ideal candidate to tutor the Force to her, and a bitter Jedi wants to hand justice to an unpunsihed war criminal, they find they all have much to learn from each other on a frozen world.

The quality of art is much better than the horrible fare Tales of the Jedi is renoun for. While the superb art and vibrant colours inherent in current Star Wars comcis was not available at the time of the TOTJ series, that Redemption was clearly better could have said more for its earlier siblings. Here, you won't find salivating mouths, half-rendered illustrations, or simplistic dialogue. The primary characters have defined roles, where age and events have changed appearances, and an ending that will touch your heart.

However, at times there are just too many single, even double, page shots. This flows the pages to the end way too fast. Some panels and scenes were a bit absurd, but the overall quality of this story balances things up. Qel-Droma genuinely looks grey, as though the price of his actions have drained all colour from his features; while young Vima is bright and chirpy, the vengeful Silvar predatory and relentless.

I'll never understand why Nomi is half bald for a human woman.

Overall, if you've suffered through the earlier comics, this one is a fitting end to the series. And even if further fault is found within, solace can be taken in the fact that we are shown places we rarely have seen, and not yet another Tatooine visit for the twentieth time.

Kevin Anderson WROTE a good story? Judgement day is here...
This takes place some 10 years after The Sith War. All the characters have changed, grown old, morphed (the tiger female looks way cooler) and grown up. Nomi Sunrider's daughter is a teenager now and wants to learn to be a Jedi. Ulic Qel-Droma is hiding on some ice world and wants to die. She seeks him out to learn the ways of the Jedi. The reason I took away a star was because how she found him. Some random guy (who looks exactly like the guys at the start of the original Star Wars) took Ulic to the snow planet and she just randomly picks a ship to stall on and guess who's ship it is? 10 billion people in the universe and she picks the guy who saw Ulic a day earlier. Wow, ironic, eh? There really is no bad guy in this story, it just shows Ulic teaching the girl. The closest thing to a bad guy has to be the good Jedi tiger girl, Silvar. Anyhoo its a good book to end the series with. ... Read more

Book Description

Rat, Pig, Zebra, and Goat, the central characters of Pearls Before Swine, are back in their new book, Sgt. Piggy's Lonely Hearts Club Comic, the first Pearls Before Swine treasury-supersized for your enjoyment. But this is no ordinary cartoon treasury. Like the influential Beatles album that inspired the book's title, Sgt. Piggy is full of surprises. In addition to collecting in one volume all of the Pearls cartoons that appeared in BLTs Taste So Darn Good and This Little Piggy Stayed Home, cartoonist Stephan Pastis takes readers on a VIP backstage tour of one of the most successful new comic strips in newspapers today. In Sgt. Piggy, Pastis explains the genesis of Pearls (hint: it didn't begin at an artist's easel), why he was initially reluctant to show it to newspaper syndicates (and the surprising reason he changed his mind), the unexpected responses from readers to his work (oh, the letters), which Pearls strips worked and which ones didn't (and how he would have corrected the ones that didn't). The result is a rare and revealing glimpse into the world of Rat and Pig, Goat and Zebra. Full of humor and insight, sardonic asides and unexpected truths, Sgt. Piggy's Lonely Hearts Club Comic is a book that comics fans everywhere can enjoy anytime-even when they're 64. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Amazon.com

You may have heard somewhere that Neil Gaiman's Sandman series consistedof cool, hip, edgy, smart comic books. And you may have thought, "What the helldoes that mean?" Enter A Game of You to confound the issue even more, while at the same time standing as a fine example of such a description. This is not an easy book. The characters are dense and unique, while their observations are, as always with Gaiman, refreshingly familiar. Then there's the plot, which grinds along like a coffee mill, in the process breaking down the two worlds of this series, that of the dream and that of the dreamer. Gaiman pushes these worlds to their very extremes--one is a fantasy world with talking animals, a missing princess, and a mysterious villain called the Cuckoo; the other is an urban microcosm inhabited by a drag queen, a punk lesbian couple, and a New York doll named Barbie. In almost every way this book sits at 180 degrees from the earlier four volumes of the Sandman series--although the less it seems to belong to the series, the more it shows its heart. --Jim Pascoe ... Read more

Reviews (23)

A great story of identity and finding your inner child
Neil Gaiman does it again! He takes Barbie, a marginal character in the "Doll's House" storyline and makes her into a 3 dimensional character. He also introduces some other great characters like Hazel, Foxglove, Clarissa, and my personal favorite in this volume, Wanda. After reading this tale, I was struck by how the characters matter so much in Sandman stories. How Neil cares about them so much that they keep popping up again and again in unlikely places. Even when someone mentions another person, I can tell that Neil has a character description written up for that person and they will appear in another story. Clarissa will appear again in "Kindly Ones", while Hazel and Foxglove are in both "Death" mini-series. (Also Foxglove is mentioned by another character in the "24 Hours" chapter in "Preludes and Nocturnes.")

That aside, "A Game of You" is probably the most personal story of the entire Sandman oeuvre. It's primarily the story of Barbie and her childhood dreams that become very real. The heart of the story is Barbie's relationship with Wanda which is both funny and touching. Dream doesn't appear much in this one, but the story is so good and the main characters so interesting that you won't mind at all.

The best of the Sandman
No other volume of the magnificent Sandman series so perfectly captures the darkly magical essence as this one. Many people dislike it, and many will say that you should read other tales first, but for me personally, I think that if you like "A Game of You" then you will like all others, and if you dislike it, you probably will dislike many others as well. It is not as important to the story overall as some arcs, and the Sandman himself harldy interacts with the human characters until well into the story. Also absent are most of the Sandman's family, with Death being regelated to a cameo. However, this is what makes the issue so special. It uses the Sandman mileu to create a unique fantasy world of its own, one which uses archtypes to allow readers to identify with it and yet be startled around every turn. If the "death" of the world is not heartrending, then perhaps you lack the imagination that fuels such a world. Read this and enjoy.

Pure Magic
Never content with telling Sandman from one fixed perspective for too long, Gaiman again turns the collection on its head and has yet another character (this time 'Barbie,' a supporting player in the Doll's House), provide the orientation to the text for us. Gaiman seems to be at his best when Morpheus plays more of a supporting role in the narrative. As was the case in the stellar Doll's House, A Game of You focuses on human relationships. Although Morpheus is certainly an interesting character, in the end he is, as his sister Death previously remarked, "an anthropomorphic personification:" an idealized abstraction. Gaiman's human characters, however, are fully rounded: capable of the myriad -and often contradictory- emotions that make us flesh and blood. It's Gaiman's probing exploration of humanity that really sets the series apart from other graphic novels that choose to focus on the wearisome 'superheroes and bad guys' formula. How many other graphic novels, for example, detail the ups and downs of a lesbian couple or the anxieties of transvestism? This is ground breaking stuff, to be sure, and provides much needed realness to the medium.

Barbie's adventures in dreamland bear an eerie resemblance to Frodo's in the Lord of the Rings and Dorothy's in the Wizard of Oz, and for good reason. All three works are manifestations of what Joseph Campbell terms the "hero cycle:" a rite of passage that chronicles the hero's departure and eventual return. The hero cycle is a fundamental aspect of mythology, and Gaiman's skilful usage of it affords the tale a feeling of timelessness, a structural connection to the process of myth making.

The art in this series is fantastic and probably the best in the collection to date. Shawn McManus does a wonderful job of bringing out the mood of the text: note McManus' usage of nearly pure white and black cells in the first chapter to underscore the starkness of Barbie's "dream country." Somewhat jarring, however, is the fact that Colleen Doran drew the art for only the third story. Her less detailed style essentially interrupts the atmosphere created by McManus in the five other stories.

Although this is the fifth text in the Sandman series, Gaiman demonstrates he has plenty of gas left in the tank. His imagination continues to propel him to new and strange places, and I'm more than willing to sit in the passenger's seat and enjoy the view.

great author overrated story
I have never read Sandman before this story but from what I have heard each story can stand alone. I also want to say I read neverwhere and "Sandman: The Dream Hunters" and loved them. This story though just wasn't his best work or really that good. This is my problem with the story. A lady has dreams that continue every single night like an unending story. Suddenly, one of the animals in her dreams finds her in real life. Creative? Original? This idea is all of those things? However, by the end of her story, every single one of her characters in her dreams that she likes die, you are left to wonder, what is the point??? She lost her battle to keep the creaturs in her dream to stay alive and you aren't sure if you care because they are only creatures in a dream.

On another note, although I don't like this story I have a feeling this sandman series gets better as it goes along, however this one just wasnt good, might want to skip it and read a different book in this series

Finally something different
In an age where almost all comics are aimed towards mass media entertainment, such as X MEN and the rest, it's refreshing to read comics with more depth and content to them. A Game Of You is one of my favorite books in the Sandman series. It showcases amazing characters, great storytelling, and a main character who is almost not in the book at all, which I enjoyed because the King of Dreams has always personally annoyed me with his pride and arrogance. However, on a lighter note, this book is amazing, but I would not recommend it as the first book for one to read in the Sandman series. ... Read more

Book Description

In the tranquil fields and meadows of long-ago England, there is a small hamlet that has stood on a jut of granite for 600 years. Just to the east stands a high stone wall, for which the village is named. Here, in the hamlet of Wall, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the hauntingly beautiful Victoria Forester. And here, one crisp October eve, Tristran makes his love a promise -- an impetuous vow that will send him through the only breach in the wall, across the pasture...and into the most exhilarating adventure of his life.

Reviews (182)

Grown-ups need fairy tales, too.
Neil Gaiman is a master at what may be his own genre -- fairy tales for grown-ups. His novel NeverWhere explored mythical concepts versus grown-up cynicism at length, here he releases the conflict and lets the tale fall how it may.

The result is lyrical, rhythmic prose that details the fantastic story of half-fairy, half-human Tristran Thorn and his quest to find a falling star and fulfill a rash promise to a pretty girl. The problem is that when he finds the star, *she* doesn't want to go back with him. And various third parties have taken a dangerous interest in the star as well . . .

Part fairy tale, part romance, part fantasy, Stardust is enchanting for any age reader (although you'll want to edit traces of profanity and sex if you read it to young children). It's smart and funny, the characters are believable and likeable.

Stardust is an engrossing trip to another world. But be sure you get the illustrated edition with Charles Vess' fantastic watercolors, or you're missing half the story.

An Adult's Fantasy
Coming from a 23 year old that currently keeps a book of Grimm's FairyTales on his nightstand - "Star Dust" is an essential novel for one's fantasy collection. Neil Gaiman altogether is an inspiring writer, who has written several books that combine fantasy/mythology with reality. This time, the novel has been reintroduced with the fantastic art of Charles Vess. Though to some, the added illustrations may seem trivial - they really do give off a feeling that one has discovered a copy of an lost enchanted book from another era.

"Star Dust" follows the journey of Tristian Thorn, of the Old English town of Wall, who promises a falling star to his love in exchange for her hand in marriage. Though she remarks this as a fool's quest, Tristian is determined to follow the star past the the boundaries of Wall and into the realm of Faerie and bring it back to her.

This certainly becomes a fairy tale novel for adults - told in a delightful style of storytelling, reminiscent of C.S. Lewis's "Chronicals of Narnia". Throughout Tristan's journeys, he befriends several colorful characters of fantasy: witches, gnomes, talking trees, man-eating trees, pixies, unicorns, etc. Throughout these random encounters, the reader is also delightfully given a glimpse on the realm of Faerie itself, its history and some of the politics between its own inhabitants.

The story moves quickly and the writing is almost lyrical. Fans of fantasy will find this a bedtime treat, while other readers can appreciate the light-hearted world of the imagination in this one dose, while art fans can appreciate the beautiful illustrations throughout. All the people I have recommended this story to have thanked me afterwards.

In addition to this book, Gaiman's graphic novels, "The Sandman Series" are also amazing collections - bringing in magical beings of great proportion into our present everyday life. Both collections belong properly displayed on your bookshelf.

Fairytale for grownups
Tristan Thorn's journey across the Wall is a beautiful lyrical tale of a young boy who vows to win his love by retrieving a fallen star from across the Wall into the land of Fairie only to find that the journey itself is more important than the object of his affection. Many surprises await him including a dwarfish aide, a flying ship, witches, princes, and unicorns and of course, a damsel in distress. The side plot of the Lord of the Stormhold and Tristan's though initially unrelated, coincide in the manner only the best of fairytales can, by fate, destiny, and love. The ending is a mix of happiness, triumph, and melancholy. Curiousity peaked yet? Good. No other spoilers needed.

To say that "Stardust" is "an outline" or in some way incomplete is to miss the essence of a fairytale. Young hapless human + journey + magical realm + good + evil + happy ending = fairytale. Suffice to say, Neil Gaiman's scores on all accounts in creating a successful tale and adds a bit more complexity for the adult reader. Overall the plot, characters, and world ARE simple. The themes, however, are not: The journey is more important than the goal, the goal one desires in youth is not the same in adulthood, after a life-changing journey, how can one return home, and so on and so forth.

(...). Furthermore, with only one minor scene, it seemed superflous. But don't let that detract you from reading. "Stardust" reads like an oral tale that has just been written down for the first time. It carries the history and weight of a classic. Give it a whirl!

A+

Perhaps the most heartwarming story I've read in ages
This is the second Neil Gaiman book I've had the pleasure of reading - the first was American Gods. While I found American Gods interesting and quite entertaining, Stardust I found I could not put down until I finished it.

Like American Gods, Stardust would make a great graphic novel (I would be surprised if it has not already been done) or movie. Gaiman is very graphic in his descriptions of situations and although I am no poet by any measure, I felt that there was almost a poetic quality about the whole story - the definitely is a good dose of poetic justice (of sorts)in the story itself.

The story itself is uncomplicated. One, of course, cannot help but liken it to a fairy tale, but I think I would be better classified as a story about every young man's journey into adulthood and all its attendant heartaches, magic and lessons. That it was set in the realm of folklore and legends only makes it all the more interesting. I won't go into the details of the story (many reviewers here have done that already), but I would like to say that I must have cheered aloud when the hero won over the damsel (who was not in so much of distress as he probably was) and in true fairy tale tradition they lived happily thereafter (not ever after, since the story is also quite well grounded in a logic - of sorts).

I would strongly recommend this book!

An old fashioned Fairy Tale without the PC nonsense
Okay, maybe not the kind of Fairy Tale you would read to your very young children, but after delving through horror and dark fantasy, I found Stardust to be a refreshing, childlike break; minus the hangover of feeling like I was exposed to an excess of sugar and cotton candy. After all, Fairy tales used to be a bit brutal in their own right, and taking away all of the blood and violence in order to conform to today's "Politically Correct" standards also takes away from the lesson to be learned. IMHO.

This tale is told with a simple exuberance, yet manages to hold up under the scrutiny of all us die hard Neil Gaiman fans, showing us that he has the talent to lead us along gentler slopes of the same deadly peaks and chasms he has taken us to in his other works. His playfulness shows through in Stardust as a novel, the way his chapbooks "Wolves In The Walls" and "The Day I Swapped My Dad For 2 Goldfish" did with his graphic novels.

Tristin Thorn lives in the English town of Wall, right next to, well, the Wall. There is only one way through the Wall, a gap which is constantly guarded by the village folk of Wall; not to keep people from coming in, but to keep the inhabitants of Wall from crossing over into the land of Faerie. Once every nine years there is a huge fair within the field beyond the gap, and only then do the peoples from each of the lands mingle. Tristin is not aware that half of his lineage is from across the Wall, and when the day comes that he watches a falling star with the girl he wishes to marry, and promises to bring her back that very same star, his father Dunstan helps him to cross the gap into Faerie.

Over in Faerie, it is time for the Lord of Stormhold to die, and pass along his Reign to one of his sons. Unable to determine which of his surviving sons is worthy, the old Lord tosses the Power of Stormhold (a topaz set in an amulet) up into the air and tells his sons that whoever finds the amulet will rule after him. This won't be easy for the offspring of the old Lord, for already four of his seven sons were dead, killed off by the living brothers in order to eliminate their claim to Stormhold.

Also in Faerie live the Lilim, three ancient women who have lived on and on for forever, revitalizing their youth by eating the hearts from fallen stars. When the star falls, one of the ancient crones makes herself young again and sets out after the star.

Tristin is helped along in his quest by some, and treated rudely by others, but always manages to get along by determination and, surprisingly, innocence. When he is transported by a magic candle to where the star had fallen, he is shocked to see that the Fallen Star is a girl, and she has a broken leg to boot.

The adventures of Tristin in his journey back to The Wall and the market within the field are magical, fantastical, and sometimes just a tiny bit scary. Though the plot really does have a transparent ending, it still does not take away from the total enjoyment of Tristin's adventures and the predicaments he falls in and out of. All of the main characters coalesce in the ending, but the side characters we meet along the way are just as fleshed out and real to me as Tristin, Yvaine the Star, and Madame Semele with her mysterious bird.

Go ahead and step through the Gap with Tristin, you won't be sorry you tagged along. Enjoy! ... Read more

Book Description

One of the best-selling and critically-acclaimed graphic novels of all-time telling the story of two supremely ironic, above-it-all teenagers facing the thrilling uncertainty of life after high school. As they attempt to carry their life-long friendship into a new era, the careful dynamics of their inseparable bond are jolted, and what seemed like a future of endless possibilities looks more like an encroaching reality of strip malls, low-paying service jobs and fading memories.

Already one of the most heavily-publicized graphic novels in history, this new edition (featuring new covers by Clowes) should make the book more popular than ever. With lengthy write-ups in Time, Newsweek, Publisher's Weekly, Details, Vogue, Jane, and many others, press interest in the book and film promises to be higher than ever this spring. ... Read more

Reviews (44)

Identity and confusion
An enjoyable comic book that can aptly be called alternative, GHOST WORLD ultimately disappointed me because I didn't find it to be much more than entertaining. To his credit, Daniel Clowes creates characters that are believable, and I'm sure there are many people out there who can relate to the story, sympathize with Enid's dissatisfaction with her life, and agree with her general view of the world. And Clowes' treatment of his teen characters, a little cruel and unrelenting, but not cold-hearted, is refreshing. But at the end, I didn't feel attached in any way to Enid or Becky or Josh, and didn't really care anyway. Yeah, it was entertaining, but so what? And though this may be a personal bias, I wasn't too fond of Clowes' drawing style, which seemed a bit clumsy and inexpressive. I don't mean for this review to sound negative. I did enjoy GHOST WORLD, and I would recommend it without hesitation to people who are looking for something different. It's short anyway, and reading the other reviews, there's a good chance you'll find more to it than I did.

Haunting little masterpiece
Dan Clowes' graphic novel, "Ghost World" tells the story of Enid Coleslaw and her best friend Rebecca during the months between their high school graduation and the following October. The girls curse a lot, obsess over freaks and strange events in their lives and eventually come to realize their childhood friendship may not survive their transition into adulthood.

Clowes has an amazing ability to zero in on life's smallest moments and find in them a fragile poetry. He's also not afraid to make his characters fallible, and sometimes, in the manner of callous youth, even cruel. Enid and Rebecca dub a waiter "Weird Al" because of his curly hair, and play a rude prank on a poor boob whose only crime was to gain their notice by placing a pathetic personal ad. And yet you won't hate the characters. They're vulnerable and honest in a very believable way, and their emotional journey through their final months together accurately depicts longing and unease, their nostalgia for things the way they were, and their need for different lives. For Rebecca, it's to hold onto things as they are, and for Enid, it's to go someplace else not to find herself, but to become someone different.

The story's also full of humor and mystery. Enid and Rebecca inhabit a world of strange grafitti, of diners and run-down apartments where things tend to happen just outside the frame, or within windows. And Clowes' two-toned, semi-realistic, sometimes cartoony depiction of the various geeks, pervos and schmoes who inhabit "Ghost World" is dead on... the dopey expressions, the sudden crises, the need to feel something and the fear that accompanies that desire... it's all there in his characters' faces.

Reminiscent of Will Eisner's work (and just a touch of Charles Burns'), and with a hip, modern feel, "Ghost World" provides a truly amazing and unique reading experience.

Didn't like the movie...
I didn't like the Ghost world movie, but the graphic novel was a lot better. There were a couple of times I got confused with people (heh, maybe it's just me) but it was funny and there were moments when I could relate to the characters and the artwork was cool what with the blue and all and so overall I would recommend it to anyone who is as addicted to graphic novels as I am.

Brillinat writing, Brilliant art
Daniel Clowes', 'Ghost World,' is a shining example on how effective the medium of the graphic novel can be when coupled with fantastic, highly literate writing. Clowes' brilliance is demonstrated with his remarkable ability in capturing dialogue and the psyches of his late-teenage female characters - Enid and Becky. In fact, their characterizations and conversations seems so authentic and natural that it's almost as if Clowes videotaped real-life snippets of actual teenagers lives and then fashioned comic strips out of them.

Unlike the movie adaptation, which had a sustained narrative, the graphic novel is comprised of episodic vignettes that seem more like a collection of short stories. These little tales are packed with so much melodrama, sharp-humour, keen observation and emotion that by the time you're finished with this 80 or so page book you'll feel like you've already digested volumes.

I can't recommend this book highly enough and whether or not you've seen the movie you definitely need to read the original source. Top quality stuff all the way through.

struggle to find who you are
I saw the movie upon recommendation from my ex-girlfriend (as if that matters), and that's the way I found this gem out, as so many others have. This was my first encounter with Daniel Clowes, and I loved it. He always maintain some self-defacing quality in his humor (see Eightball, for example), but that actually translates to the search for true self in a rather seriously frustrating (pseudo-)real-world experiences of Enid and her pals. It is quite amazing what Clowes captures in what he probably could not experience himself --- the life of a "teenage girl" who avoids to fit in, yet could not find her own comfortable niche.

My criticism is that Ghost World is too short. I find some seriously deep qualities in what are depicted; yet the development of story goes too fast that literally nothing gets elaborate enough for me to slow down and appreciate to the extend that I wish. After reading, I just wished strongly I could read more of the stuff.

Maybe that's the joy of graphic novels --- so much is left for readers to wonder. Or it is just me having read numerous Japanese comics with elaborate story lines --- I can assure that a Japanese manga artist would make 20 volumes of comics out of a cool story like this. In any case, this one certainly made me interested in Clowes other works. ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Something I thought not possible...
The Death of Superman sure surprised a lot of people, comic fans and the average joe. Who would have thought that the Man of Steel could even be beaten let alot die. The media storm that these issues built up were something unaccounted for in the comic world for a long time. People started thinking how could DC, the comics' publisher, kill off the first superhero icon, an American icon similar to McDonald's and Coca Cola, but the did and they sure did it with good storytelling and incredible art. First people should understand that this a tradepaperback collecting the comics in which Superman valiantly fought to fend off Doomsday from Metroplois. The book is not a graphic novel, thus does not read like one. Through that, the editors performed a solid effort to bring in the storyline, which is written by a group of people and the artists, thus at times, the story would be faster and then slow down. This is only due to the different creative teams responsible for bringing out the book and should not be held against them. If the comics were read individually, it would have meant a whole lot better, but since those issues have become a rarity, collecting them was the right choice all in all.

The story introduces Doomsday, a character so bestial and primal he'll make any horror monster run for his money and teh cruelty he portrays is somewhat disturbing. Not much is said about the monster's origin and that could be held as a downpoint to the story, but as mentioned since this was part of an ongoing series, his origins are mentioned and delved in deeper later on. The intrigue on why he wanted Metropolois and why Superman had to stop him are all set in motion here, but are tackled later in future issues not collected here.

All in all, this collection is a must have in the Superman mythos and those interested in Big Blue. It portrays his heart and determination to beat the odds in which he does, even though it meant his life. It is recommended that you check out part 2 and 3 of the trilogy, World without a Superman and The Return of Superman to truly comprehend the big picture of things. This book alone holds true when it comes to standing alone, but do you really want to stop there?

DC embarked on a great risk with this direction, but truly put out an actionpacked, hold on to your hats effort. They're commended for taking the big step and bringing us a good, highly acclaimed form of entertainemt.

It delivers what it promises
The death of superman is exactly what it sounds like...the death of superman. In this story, Superman fights an unknown creature called Doomsday (who is for one reason or other hell-bent on destruction) and falls in battle. The story is fast paced and has pages filled with superman and Doomsday swapping hits and all-in-all racking up a huge amount of collateral damage. In the end, Big Blue dies. This story came out when I was in junior high and at that time I felt it was the best book I had ever read but now, it is hard not to look at the numerous plot holes and loose threads in the story. But comics has matured and has come a long way but this story is still worth picking up for the buzz it generated. It's fun to read but don't expect anything Alan Moore-esque or Jeph Loeb type writing.

It's was like watching Muhammed Ali VS Mike Tyson.....
The absolute best fight in Sperman's existance!!!!!
Picture this; A creature of pure strength, power, rage. (No, not the Incredible Hulk, but at a very close proximity). On a path for an unknown reason to Metropolis. A team of powerful (even though uncoordinated) superheroes literally ripped apart by this creature (Named Doomsday by Booster Gold before he also got the ultimate beatdown). Everything and everyone in his path is destroyed and killed at a blink of an eye. One man, the ultimate boy scout, Big Blue himself is left to fend off thhis creature.
First he underestimated Doomsday's power and that changed Real Quick!!..The battle crossed all across America and the focal point is in his hometown Metropolis..When it come down to it, Superman knows that this is the fight of his life. And as the title goes, it will be his life. Once you get past the side story in the beginning you'll be in for a wild (and painful) ride of your life.

One of the best grapic novels ever
Like I siad before, I hadn't read the entire book intill the other day and still I loved it. I bought this at a book fiar for a decint price, I might have found it at a comic shop signed, by the guy behind the counter! The story is rich in creativety, art and charcter useage. The best part in the story is when the JLA got the crap bbeatin out of them by a Super-Super-Super Villian named Doomsday, Then Superman comes in and kills Doomsday and himself, at Metorpolis. This is the only D.C. comic I have but its great.

What Does It Take To Kill The Man Of Steel?
"The Death of Superman" was one of those times when a comicbook storyline became a media event. In the uncertain and cynical early 1990s, it really looked like the poster-boy for idealistic, traditional morals and the voice of paternal authority may really be headed towards oblivion. Image Comics was booming with their anti-heroes and kids were really digging the songs of Kurt Cobain. Does Superman still have any relevance in the 1990s? In fact, that was one of the underlying (yet often ignored) subtle themes in this storyline. Teenagers in school were supposed to tune in to a Superman interview on TV but many of them were uninterested in listening to a "washed-out has-been", preferring instead the obnoxious and cynical Guy Gardner. In fact, Superman's only "fan" in the story seems to be this little black orphan called Keith.

Then, Doomsday happened! A monster fights Superman for dozens of pages and Superman dies defending his beloved city, Metropolis, against said monster. That's all there really was to the plot.

But suddenly we sat up and took notice. Suddenly we realized just what we have lost. A symbol. A hero. An icon. And we see it most starkly through the teary eyes of "Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane" and "Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen".

DC Comics returned to iconic heroism in comics in the mid-1990s. But in the early 1990s, they had to shock the readers into realizing their folly for ignoring the "originals" - thus, Superman got killed, Batman got crippled, Wonder Woman was replaced, Aquaman lost a hand, Green Arrow died and Green Lantern went nuts. But don't blame DC. It was what the disloyal, Image-buying fans deserved... and it was what they ultimately got. This story, "The Death of Superman" is the clearest example of DC's "shock-treatment" event. It is a product of its times. ... Read more

Reviews (49)

A fitting tribute
This book is certainly an appropriate tribute to the greatest comic strip of all time. It gives us a good dose of the best from each decade. My favorite aspect is the great margin notes by Charles Schulz, wherein he gives us fascinating background comments on the evolution of Peanuts and on ideas behind specific strips. My only regret, and the reason I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5, is that most of the Sunday samples of Peanuts are not in color here. They would have been in color originally, and I like seeing them that way. But this is certainly a terrific book to own, and I highly recommend it.

Peanuts deserves better, we deserve better
This is a delightful book. The photos and information of Charles Schulz (allow me an aside:: I think that Charlie "BROWN" is a smokescreen: the main character of this strip is Charlie SCHULZ), his background, and his studio are wonderful for a lifelong fan (I'm a year younger than Linus). The commentary and selection are superb, and it's even fun to shake your head over some of the 'fan' mail he got.

Allow me a sour note: the editing is sloppy. Strip #5 on page 15 appears again on page 16. The lower four strips on page 149 are out of order: they should go #6, #3, #5, #4. Good grief! Confused order on page 168 threatens to ruin the story line. #5 on page 168 belongs on page 170. Line 4 on page 171 appears again on page 236 (not that I minded seeing it again, but it means one less strip for us to enjoy.)

You may think I've got too much time on my hands, to go through a comic collection so carefully, but come on! This *is* Peanuts, after all! What could matter more?

Wonderful compilation for the casual Peanuts reader
When first printed in 1999, this book offered the best retrospective on Schulz' Peanuts. It's still a wonderful book, which I own. If you're a casual fan of the strip, and don't mind if you haven't read all the panels, then you'll love this compilation. It serves as a perfect introduction to Schulz' comic.

If you're a rabid, hardcore Peanuts fan like me, however, you might consider purchasing the complete Peanuts collection, which is available through Fantagraphics. (The first edition, printed in May, 2004, contains the first two years of Peanuts from 1950-1952. Several more volumes will volume over the next decade.) I've reviewed the first volume of that set, and plan on purchasing the others.

The "Golden Celebration" should still be in every "Peanuts" collector's library and is the best edited compilation I've seen on Peanuts.

A Great Sampling of 50 years worth of Cartoon Genius
If you are a Peanuts fanatic, you already have this book. If you like the strip, and would like to have a comprehensive overview of the entire series, this book is perfect. It contains comic strips from 1950 to 1999, in chronological order. Of course, this is just a sampling, another company is releasing all the strips in order starting in April.
The book also contains a short biography of Schulz, a section on the TV shows and movies, & peanuts collectibles. If you have the 25th or 40th anniversary books, you'