Reviews (7)

brilliant
Gary Larson is by far the most genius, the most innovative cartoonest ever to hit the world. This gallery has a forward by Robin Williams and tons of Larson's best work. You can't not love his sense of humor (and definitely check out the Prehistory of the Far Side).

!The far side of histercleness!
Gary Larson in this includes some great ones like theres a dog with like 50 people following him he says, "I can't smell a damn thing." Plus there's a foreward by king of comedy from mrs. Doughtfire Robin Williams. Here's somhing he says in it. "I really like the way he draws humans. Maybe someday scientists will dig up his cartoons and think that the 20ith century man has a rarely big nose and buck teeth."

If you like The Far Side......
If you are a fan of The Far Side this book sells itself!!!![....]

Brilliant cartoons from a gloriously warped mind
Every one of Gary Larson's books has been a work of twisted genius, and "The Far Side Gallery 4" continues that tradition. A collection of hundreds of Larson's distinctive cartoons, this book will sometimes shock, sometimes mystify, but always amuse.

Larson's overall vision is a bizarre, yet oddly coherent blend of fantasy, science fiction, horror, theological speculation, anthropological/zoological observation, and cultural criticism, all distilled through the mind of a master parodist. His trademark technique--the anthropomorphization of the unexpected--is on abundant display in "Gallery 4." Larson's is a world in which squirrels read newspapers, alien juvenile delinquents abuse human astronauts, tapeworms go on vacation, bowling pins hold cocktail parties, and buzzards give poetry readings.

Larson will take on the most taboo subject in order to get a laugh, and he usually succeeds--often brilliantly. Trichinosis, obesity, conjoined twins, suicide, political protest, Native American culture, cryogenics, suffocation, old age, serial killers--nothing is off limits in "Gallery 4." Larson even makes fun of his own cartoon series.

Another of the pleasures of reading "The Far Side Gallery 4" is the fact that you never know who you'll run into next. Larson's deranged imagination captures a whole host of fictional and historical figures: Albert Einstein, Humpty Dumpty, Tito Puente, Dr. Jekyll, Stephen King, and many, many more. When the floating head of Zsa Zsa Gabor threatens the crew of the starship "Enterprise," you know you're in Larson territory.

The short foreword by Robin Williams (he describes Larson's vision as "a National Geographic special on Prozac") is an added bonus to this collection. For fans of "The Far Side," this is an indispensable collection; for those who haven't yet sampled the insane genius of Gary Larson, this is a great introduction.

it's perfect
This book is really funny. Gary Larson has really outdone himself this time! One I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Then when I finally did, I was halfway through the book! Everyday I read a comic to refresh my humor in the morning. Ha-ha ... Read more

Book Description

The ultimate collection by one of the most recognized talents in graphic novels: includes over a decade of comics and illustrations by the still-under-30 Adrian Tomine, from Pulse to The New Yorker and Esquire, collected together for the first time in one sharply-designed book. Scrapbook is the first comprehensive Adrian Tomnie collection. here you'll find the complete run of strips which was originally published in Tower Records' Pulse Magazine which Adrian started when he was only 17, along with comics originally published in Details and a host of other magazines of the past decade. A large section of Scrapbook is dedicated to Tomine's extensive illustration and design work, featuring his best material over the years from virtually every major publication in America including The New Yorker, Details, Esquire, and the late JFK Jr.-edited George. Tomines' art has also graced popular album covers and posters for bands such as The Eels and Weezer and posters and its' all included here in this beautifully packaged book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Perhaps the most interesting illustrator today
This is the best book present I've ever received. Whenever I come across AT's work in the New Yorker, I take a second, third, fourth look. There's definitely a pop sensibility in all his drawings, which I find appealing. The NY illustrations have been getting a little worn around the edges. AT's work brings back some of that edge that makes the NY still interesting--if only for the original art. (Someone dump their poetry editor!) That he could marry bright scenes and clean lines with his often alienated characters is a testament to his skill. Anomie has rarely been so colorful or so curious. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Bone first came on the scene, critics raved about it, often mentioning it as being"fun for the whole family." Jeff Smith has always been wary about others labeling his work "for children,"partly because he knew that "no topic of human experience--from the introspection of Peanuts or the politics of Doonesbury to thelyricism of Pogo--was beyond the wonderful world of comics." He was also cautious because he knewthat the story he was telling was going to deal with issues and themes graver than Saturday morning's cotton-candy cartoons. In Bone: TheDragonslayer, the first volume of the second Bone trilogy, there is conflict, sometimes involving violence. There are forces of evil. There is war. ButBone is neither pap nor pabulum; it is challenging without being obtuse, and yes, even within its fantasy setting,Bone is real.This distinct combination makes it the best kind of children's book. Parents, read this book withyour children. You'll find it may turn out to be your favorite book, too. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Vol. 4 takes "Bone" into overdrive
Timeless is every way, "Bone" is an expansive story about three "bone creatures" (you'd have to see them to understand) that find themselves in a valley peopled with an assortment of crazy and interesting characters. Looming over it all is the menace of a great evil, first glimpsed by the ferocious (and funny) rat creatures, but later revealed to be something much more disturbing.

"The Dragonslayer," the fourth in the nine-volume "Bone" series, ramps up the tension and dramatically increases the scope and scale of the story, while retaining touches of its all ages humor.

This volume picks up where the third left off, as revelations about the main characters and the evil looming over the peaceful valley central to the tale draw the reader more fully into Jeff Smith's wonderfully-woven plot. Though still geared towards an all-ages audience, the deeper issues that make this compelling reading for adults really begin to show here, taking prominence over the humor through a good portion of the book.

Smith combines the kind of classic storytelling perfected by the likes of the legendary Carl Barks (Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge) and Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) - gleefully funny cartooning with outrageously expressive faces and gestures - with the epic and engaging plotting of a sweeping fairy tale. "Bone" walks a tightrope and walks it well, managing to be something fans of both Donald Duck and Bilbo Baggins can enjoy.

Jeff Smith's "Bone" series is a critically acclaimed but criminally overlooked epic. Critics recognize Smith's masterful storytelling abilities and are drawn to his mix of all-ages humor and more mature darkness, but the black and white art and lack of superheroes turn off many comic book readers, making it a hit only in the "underground" sense.

And that's too bad, because this deserves to be read. Readers able to look past the lack of men in tights and color artwork will delight in this series. Little doubt people will still be reading "Bone" 50 years from now. Broad in scope yet personal and quaint, this is a charming story in every way that will surely outlast 90 percent of other comic works on the shelf.

*Great* Book!
Bone: The Dragonslayer is sure to please any hardcore Bone fan, and even not so hardcore ones! With humor, action, mystery, and beautiful pictures, this installation in the Bone series is sure to please.

A realistic fantasy on human nature
This comic has it all:the zany poetry of Peanuts,the wry criticism on human fallacies of Doonesbury,and the philosophy of Calvin and Hobbes,plus a scent of the best Pogo.Phoney Bone is the real negative hero of this book:his manipulation of the brainless masses superb,his total lack of scruples joined whit a nietzcheian rationalization ("People like to be victims! There's a sort of moral superiority attached to it...)unparalleled.If he fails,it is only for the spirit of sacrifice of the Dragon,a real Christian image,I dare say.Phoney Bone is a veritable Stavrogin of comics.

This book is great
Jeff Smith has again astounded me with the hardback publishing of the Dragonslayer series. A great plot, witty dialogue, and precise drawings make this one a must for any hardback collector.

BONE ROCKS!
Bone Vol 4: The Dragon Slayer is a great addition to the series. BONE is one of the best humor/fantascies I've read. This one of the better in the series. The story takes yet another bizarre Twist as a war unfolds. ... Read more

Book Description

"Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy . . .how can I ever forget them. . . ." -- CHARLES SCHULZ

How could any of us ever forget them? For fifty years, Charles Schulz and the whole Peanuts gang have delighted millions of readers around the world.Now, in celebration of the artist who quickly became a national treasure, this special anniversary volume brings together for the first time in book form the last year of the Peanuts comic strip. With Peanuts 2000, there's no need to say goodbye to old friends. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A Must for any 'Peanuts' Fan and a True Work of Art
I have loved Peanuts since childhood, and have an almost complete collection of Peanuts books. Charles Schultz has always been an inspiration to me in my work as an occasional professional cartoonist. Not only is Schultz unsurpassed as an artist, he is also one of the great philosophers of twentieth century life in America.
This book is, first and foremost, a celebration of the comic strip. It is a work of art in its own right. All the cartoons in the book are photographed from either their original drawings, or directly from the newspapers. The reader can see the artistic details that Schultz has used in creating each frame in photos of the originals. And the use of the original strips, with their rough paper and newsprint lines, brings back the joy of reading the comics for the first time in the funnies. The Sunday comics are complete with the little color dots that created the color images. There are literally hundreds of comic strips, both daily and Sunday, in this book, and they give a good overview of Schultz's long career.
There are many photos of Schultz's doodles and rough sketches, of his desk and his artist's tools, early cartoons 'Sparky' sold to the Saturday Evening Post, early drawings of certain characters, some of which pre-date 'Peanuts' itself. One can actually see the characters develop, artistically and as human beings. Interspersed with the cartoons are textual explanations and stories about Schultz and his characters, including many insightful comments by Charles Schultz himself about the evolution and personalities of his characters. Also included are photos of early Peanuts toys and dolls, and even these are photographed lovingly and with attention to detail and shadow.
This is a magical book, and any Peanuts fan would love it and treasure it. It is a book one can return to over and over to enjoy. Leave it lying around the living room where everybody can enjoy it and relive the joy Charles Schultz and the Peanuts gang gave us for over fifty years. Better yet, introduce a new generation of kids to the strip. The Peanuts gang is a microcosm of us, and reading it reveals much about ourselves and helps us to look on life with tenderness and humor.
Buy this book, read it, and share it. It would make a wonderful present as well. It is the best Peanuts book to date.

"How can I ever forget them?"
These were the final words in Peanuts comics delivered by the late Charles Schulz. To answer the question, you can never forget Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy.

I remember the last "new" comic strip came out 13 February, the day after he died. Thanks, Sparky, for all the memories and the inspiration (I work on my own cartoon strip).

These cartoons were originally published early 1999 through February, 2000 in the newspapers. Charlie Brown has a date for a dance (something that rarely happened). Rerun holds the football for Charlie Brown (he got more and more parts in the cartoon strip in the final years). Charlie Brown pays tribute to the ever scowling Joe Torre! Cartoonist Day is remembered (5 May). Snoopy writes more novels and plays golf with the musical notes from Schroder's piano. "Wolves are making a comeback," as Sally philosophises. There's also a tribute to painter Andrew Wyeth and Valley Forge, as acted out by Snoopy. Snoopy Claws can be seen downtown around Christmas.

Also, Charlie Brown hits a grand slam, Linus kicks the habit once and for all and gives his blanket to Snoopy, Peppermint Patty gets straight A's, the Great Pumpkin comes as promised and Schroeder finally admits he's got a crush on Lucy! Don't hold your breath on the last 5, folks! I was just seeing if you were paying attention!

However, this book is poignant since these were the final strips of Peanuts. Charles Schulz must have known the days of the Peanuts cartoon were numbered when he let Rerun hold the football! If you're a Peanuts fan, you'll enjoy this book!

A great tribute to one of my favorite comic strips
Since I can remember, I was always fascinated by the Peanuts comic strip. I would watch and tape all the TV sepcials I could find, and check out all the books from the elementary school library (the shelving code was 741.5 Sch), even decorate my bedroon door with drawings of Good Ol' Charlie Brown. Sadly, Charles Schulz passed away a week after I turned 20, and it was sad that morning to read the final Sunday strip and find that their creator had died just hours before. In this chronicle, from 1-1-99 up to 2-13-00, we see the escapades of all the characters. Most notable was the direction that Schulz was taking with Linus and Lucy's little brother Rerun. If you read these strips, you can see the potential for development of Rerun that would have come. And like many, there was the question if Charlie Brown would ever kick the football, and much more. However, the fact that Schulz never revealed this, gives our imagination a chance to speculate. Some notable articles include Charlie Brown attending a dance class with a little girl named Emily, that Schulz introduced about 2-4 years ago. There is even a funny little weekday strip where Sally tries to write to Harry Potter. There are plenty of other intersting topics the gang covers, but I won't go into detail here. Believe me, this is a great way to relax: kick back and read Peanuts 2000.

Yet another classic by Schultz
Charles Schultz knew how to entertain his audience. No matter how many times I read this book I always get many laughs.

-You're a good man, Charles Schultz!

Peanuts 2000
Make sure you get the edition that has the final farewell Peanuts comic strip dated 2-13-2000.
This book is a gem...my copy still say First Edition Sept.2000.
My edition has 9 blank pages at the end, but more importantly, it has ALL the daily and Sunday comics for 1999. The daily comics ended on 1/1/00;
The Sunday comics continued for 1/2/00, 1/9/00, 1/16/00, 1/23/00, 1/30/00, 2/6/00, and finally 2/13/00.
All the comics are in COLOR INCLUDING the daily strips. ... Read more

Book Description

Fans can follow the exploits of Darryl and Wanda as they confront the daily dilemmas--and miracles--of being first-time parents in this most recent Baby Blues collection.

Reviews (2)

Very funny!
"Baby Blues" is the funniest comic strip! I missed the early ones, so I'm glad I found "She started it!: a Baby blues cartoon collection." The situations this family gets into is priceless! When you're feeling 'blue,' grab this book and your spirits will be lifted! I recommend.

Non-stop Laughter!!
Baby Blues have always hit home. This one is no exception. The way Zoe acts is what usual kids do, except now it's all recorded down. All the moments you wished you had a camera? If you have kids or planning to have kids, this is the one and only book I would recommend. It doesn't have alot of tips on parenting, BUT it shows what you're in for and the situation is not always as bad as you think. OR if you don't have kids and not even planning to have any, this book will make you laugh, PROMISE!!! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Better masterpieces here than in that museum in Paris
With a cow Mona Lisa painting on the front cover how can you go wrong? The cartoons in here are from Hound of the Far Side, The Far Side Observer and Night of the Crash Test Dummies. It may be cheaper to buy these books individually instead of this gallery so compare prices before purchasing.

The advantage of owning the galleries is that some cartoons are full page size which is three times the size of the original books. Not all cartoons are full size though just some.

The classic cartoon set in an exam with the bonus question (50 points) "What's the name of that thing that hangs down the back of our throats?" The caption underneath states "Final Page of the Medical Boards," is in this edition.

Another has Noah saying "Now Listen Up. We're Going to do This Alphabetically," the Zebras are thinking "Damn!"

The Classic "Drive George! Drive! This One's Got a Coathanger!" with a lion trying to unlock the car door to eat the woman.

Should you buy it? Of course you should.

Humor and Biology--A Good Mix
Gary Larson has teamed up with Stephen Jay Gould, paleontologist and taxonomist --Harvard University, to create a biologically funny book. Humor has a purpose in this book. It is used in an attempt to cause the reader to think biologically on a macrocosmic level. Social interaction of all animals on the smallest level effects the bigger picture. I enjoyed this book very much; however, a few cartoons were biologically "over my head." With some critical thinking, all readers may be able to get the message of all the cartoons.

He has a amazing mind to be able to think up such comedy!
I loved it!! It was soooooo funny! I hope he keeps writing these books

I laughed till I cried !
Gary Larson's homour is unique and incredibly funny - and this is true for all his books that I've read so far! I already start laughing when looking at the cartoon characters - they are wonderfully drawn! If cows or chickens are your favourite animals and you like grotesque situations, or you simply want to laugh, then Gary Larson should be your first choice. He's the best!!!!!

So much FUN!!!!!
I loved it!!! I have it in my bathroom, and everytime I have to go....I look at it, and Istart laughing!!!!!! Every drawing is great, it just to much!!! If you do not know this author, you have to buy it, and start having laughs!!!! Gary, you are great!!!Thanks!! the best sense of humor!!!! So much immagination!!!! If anyone out there want to share the jokes, you can write me... Bye, Beatriz ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Callahan is a Needed Anti-PC Advocate
Callahan is simply incredible. Never before could such a man who so obviously has so many faults be considered a hero. At my high school, Callahan has become a cult hero on level with South Park. But Callahan's story is more than his sick and demented humor. He overcame a lot to just be himself. This isn't a self-help book nor is it a typical autobiography of a noted comedian. Callahan is something special. He overcame adversity so deep and so self-inflicted that at times it seems like John himself is the only one who could overcome it. In this book, he shows his glaring weaknesses and for it endears himself to his readers. This book is not only Callahan's finest, but it is also a triumph of humanity. Callahan proves over and over again through the book that sometimes the best thing you can do is forgive him for being himself. Just like you need to forgive everyone for being themselves.

An Inspiring Read
John Callahan has written a fabulous book for almost any audience, mature mid-teens and older. One could call it irreverent and funny, morbidly funny in places. But it's much more than that.

The opener sets the tone: "On the last day I walked, I woke up without a hangover. I was still loaded from the night before." On one level it's the story of his life. We watch as he becomes addicted to chemicals at a very early age, starting with alcohol at twelve. We watch him cruising through his teen years, experimenting with other drugs. We learn about his adoptive family dynamics, his Catholic upbringing, his alienation from his father, how he was with friends, and his resentment towards his birth mother, who he feels abandoned him.

The last day he walked he was twenty-one. He and his buddy, also drunk and the driver, left a topless bar and drove into a utility pole at ninety. Callahan takes the reader through the most vivid description I've ever read of what it is like to become paralyzed in all four limbs, have sex as a person with quadriplegia, what the rehabilitation process entails, and how difficult re-entry is. For the first time I began to understand how critical a personal care assistant is for a person with quadriplegia, and how dealing with the vagaries of a state welfare program can virtually make or break one's ability to function.

He shares unusually open insights into his involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous, and his successful struggle to control his addiction, his triumph over self-pity. We follow his intense and persistent search for his birth mother, and his reconciliation with old friends and his adoptive family.

And finally, we see a gifted cartoonist and writer hone his skills, submit his work, and be rejected. Callahan shows us the real meaning of tenacity as he continues his craft, mostly at night, "his time." Eventually he becomes recognized and his sometimes infamous work is widely published, from Penthouse to the New Yorker. He relishes the thrill of creating.

In short, this is a sobering, instructive, yet humorous book about his life, and life in general, by a gifted man. On another level, it's a book about sheer guts, tenacity, and believing in oneself. Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot is a very easy read, and although first published ten years ago, its appeal is timeless. I strongly recommend it and thank my friend Dennis for introducing me to it.

funny as hell
it's brutally honest, funny as hell. i never thought his cartoons were very funny, but this book is one of the funniest i've ever read. it's definitely got sections that some prissy types might find "offensive" etc, but if you can handle, say, R-rated cable TV, you should be ok.

Very Compelling
I didn't pick this up strictly to read the autobiography of a quadriplegic, or to read a journal of a man's struggle with alcoholism. Rather, I was interested in the the life story of a man who has produced some of the most raw, funny, and disturbing cartoons I've ever seen. I ended up with all three.

The stories are very compelling; beginning with the car accident that left Callahan crippled and moving back (to his upbringing in an adoptive Irish Catholic family in Oregon) and forth (to his search for his biological mother), with keen insights along the way (such as the irony of how our welfare system discourages the handicapped from trying to become productive members of society -- with specific examples) and ending with a day-in-the-life snapshot. All throughout, we are treated to Callahan's illustrations and cartoons.

The narrative is every bit as raw as his cartoons. He doesn't sugar coat his alcoholism; nor does he shirk from talking about his relationship with The Big G as he tried to kick the bottle (uh... figuratively speaking, of course). He describes unflinchingly the bad things he'd done as well as the good; there is no sense of self-pity or holier-than-thou coming through. This is one of the few books I've picked up lately that demanded my full attention.

John Callahan emerges from this book as a very interesting man; a flawed hero worthy of our attention. I highly recommend it, and I'll be reading his follow up (Will the Real John Callahan Please Stand Up?) next.

Don't Worry He Won't Get Far on Foot
This autobiography goes far beyond the sentimentality one would expect from a quadriplegic who stuggles against adversity. It is a testament to the raw wit and brutal honesty of a very talented cartoonist and writer. For example: "Boy if I ever get to heaven, I'm not going to ask for a new pair of legs like the average quad does. I'm going to ask for a dick. I can feel the idea promoted in rehab of the socially well-adjusted, happily married quad made me sick."

The only disappointment is his account of joining Alcoholics Anonymous and his passive acceptance of AA dogma - something that doesn't seem to jive with his critical-thinking mindset. For instance, he talks of his AA sponsor's God named "Chuckie." Still, this is a great book - a lively account of a brave, witty, talented and outrageous man. He does James Thurber proud. As a paraplegic, I identify with his story and the wonderful way he tells it. ... Read more

Book Description

Welcome to the world of that archetypal American, Reuben Lucius Goldberg, the dean of American cartoonists for most of the twentieth century. For more than sixty-five years, Rube Goldberg's syndicated cartoons -- he produced more than fifty strips -- appeared in as many as a thousand newspapers annually He was earning a hundred thousand dollars a year...in 1915. He wrote hit songs and stories and was, in succession, a star in vaudeville, motion pictures, newsreels, radio, and, finally, television.

He even, at the age of eighty, began an entirely new career as a sculptor, and, in inimitable Goldberg fashion, was soon selling his work to galleries, collectors, and museums all over the world. Sure, Rube won the Pulitzer Prize. Every year some cartoonist wins the Pulitzer Prize. But the National Cartoonists Society named its award -- the Reuben -- after you-know-who.

But it was Rube's "Inventions," those drawings of intricate and whimsical machines, that earned Rube his very own entry in Webster's New World Dictionary:

Rube Goldberg...adjective...Designating any very complicated invention, machine, scheme, etc. laboriously contrived to perform a seemingly simple operation.

"Inventions," even the earliest ones that date from 1914, are still being republished and recycled today as they have been over the last eighty-five years. New generations rediscover and enjoy them every day, even though their creator cleaned his pens, put the cap on his bottle of Higgins Black India Ink, and cleared his drawing board for the last time almost thirty years ago. The inventions inspired the National Rube Goldberg™ Machine Contest, held annually at Purdue University, an "Olympics of complexity" in which hundreds of engineering students from American universities and colleges -- and even middle and high schools -- compete to build and run Rube Goldberg invention machines that perform, in twenty or more steps, the annual challenge.

In 1970 the Smithsonian Institution hosted a show honoring Rube Goldberg's lifework. In a life filled with superlatives, it hardly needs mentioning that Rube is the only living cartoonist and humorist to have been so honored. In his speech at the show's opening, Rube said, "Many of the younger generation know my name in a vague way and connect it with grotesque inventions, but don't believe that I ever existed as a person. They think I am a nonperson, just a name that signifies a tangled web of pipes or wires or strings that suggest machinery. My name to them is like spiral staircase, veal cutlets, barber's itch -- terms that give you an immediate picture of what they mean..."

So welcome to a collection of spiral staircases and veal cutlets -- to the inventions of an American original, a creative genius named Rube Goldberg. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I thought It Would Be Better
The concept of accomplishing a ridiculously simple task with incredible complexity, is invented and taught here by Rube Goldberg.

As mechanical engineers in college, we used to play around with this concept quite often.

The use of unpredictable things in his cartoons (people, animals) make a cartoon look impossible, if it isn't enough already.

A plant being watered and growing (in a couple of seconds) to accompllish a task is to me, not possible, but at least predictable. An animal or person being heated up, causes Goldberg's desired effect only because he drew the human to do so. But for the human, the number of possible responses are many. We all know that the watered plant will do only one thing. Go up. The time suggested for it to do so; therein lies the humor.

The zaniest universe
I have a real problem with this book. Namely, I can't get on a New York bus or subway without having dozen strangers leaning over me to look at the cartoons, first with curiosity and then suddenly bursting into hysterical laughter. It's that kind of book. The name "Rube Goldberg:" is supposed to vaguely resemble a machine more complicated than it should be. But as I discovered here, the inventions are more than over-complicated.. They are zany, zappy, and have the weird quantum logic of a parallel universe existing in some mad scientist's crazy mind. Take a "modest mosquito-bite scratcher", which is modest if you have dogs, cannons and worms all hooked up in tandem. Or a "self-scrubbing bath brush", which is easy once you teach a monkey to play outfield and hook the monkey up with a millwheel, a jack-in-the-box and an organ grinder. But why go on? Each time I open the book, one of the hundreds and hundreds of insane worlds plays itself out with kind of an eerie reality. Maynard Frank Wolfe has written a decent down-to-earth biography of the real Rube Goldberg , who (obviously!) started his long life as an engineer. But the amazing and endless cartoons are simply the funniest and best things around. At first, I thought of Leonardo de Vinci on LSD. But the more realistic affinity is Gary Larson. Both Larson and Goldberg turn science on its head, with their own creations both defying and DEIFYING logic. Now if only he'd invented a way to make strangers on a subway train go away! Let them buy their OWN book!

They don't make them like ole' Rube anymore!
Rube Goldberg is justly famous for producing ingenious cartoons that show the most complicated ways imaginable to complete the most mundane of tasks. Any boomer, tweener, Gen-xer, teen, or kid who has played "Mousetrap" has witnessed a "Goldberg". This book reproduces his cartoons and reveals his three-fold genius - as a humorist, an artist, and a master mechanic. Today, the comic pages seem to be oriented either strictly towards children (Rugrats, et. al.), or adults (Doonebury, Dilbert and their kin); either type can be digested in seconds. Goldberg's genius was to produce a hilarious piece of work that could be enjoyed by all ages and actually made his audience think! Buy this book to revel in this master. ... Read more

Book Description

Here is the incomparable cast of the DC Comics universe: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman, the Green Lantern, and the rest of the Justice League as you’ve never seen them before. Mythology brings together the best-loved comic characters in the world, brought to life by one of the most astonishing young artists working in the medium today, Alex Ross. The award-winning designer/writer Chip Kidd and photographer Geoff Spear have teamed up to create a book like no other, with an introduction by M. Night Shyamalan, the acclaimed director of Signs and The Sixth Sense.

Ross has often been called “the Norman Rockwell of comics,” and this book reveals not only his lifelong love of these classic super heroes but also his vision: Mythology takes you into the studio for a behind-the-scenes look at his fascinating creative process. The combination of Ross’s dynamic art and Kidd’s kinetic design make images from his most memorable stories–including Kingdom Come, Superman: Peace on Earth, Batman: War on Crime, and Uncle Sam–soar off the more than 280 pages. There are also hundreds of never-before-seen sketches, limited edition prints, and prototype sculptures. Vintage DC comic panels are interspersed throughout, as reference points from which Ross launches his extraordinary interpretations.

And most exciting for Ross fans, inside is a DC Comics first: an exclusive, original Superman-Batman story, written by Kidd and painted by Ross. Also included is an all-new origin of Robin, written by Paul Dini. Mythology is a book in which every page explodes with the power of the icons it celebrates. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross
I had forgotten I ordered this until it came in the mail today. It's a pretty amazing piece of work. If you are an artist (like me) it's almost a text book on how to do it correctly. I found the highlight to be the last few pages of the book where Mr. Ross explains exactly how he created the cover from initial concept sketches to photography through finished art. The book also contains several things I'd never seen before or had just seen poorly printed or web versions of. Just amazing. Well worth the asking price.

No real DC fan should go without
Here is what I wrote in my column on the website comicbookbin.com (11/22/03):

"I finally got my copy of Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross this week. If you are any kind of fan of the work Alex Ross has done for DC you need this book. A plus for me was the design contributions of Chip Kidd. For size, beauty, vividness, and sheer comprehension, this is it. If Ross put down his pencils and brush tomorrow and say he was moving on to other pursuits, I'd thank him for doing it all in superhero art. I would always encourage more, but he has said all he needs to on the amazing array of heroes and villains of the DC Universe. Alex Ross has always done his best work for DC, so I'm glad the folks at Pantheon Books were able to assemble this in time for the holidays."

Packs in color full-page shots of his dynamic art
The colorful DC comic art of Alex Ross is profiled by Chip Kidd and Geoff Spear in their striking Mythology, bringing together the best comics of the Justice League members represented by Alex Ross, one of the foremost DC comics illustrators of modern times. Ross has often been called the 'Norman Rockwell of comics' and Mythology packs in color full-page shots of his dynamic art, blending with Kidd's design talents to bring to life highlights from some of Ross' most memorable stories. Add an exclusive, original Batman-Superman story written by Kidd and painted by Ross and you have a keepsake not to be missed.

Art Appreciation
I have often thought that, as popular as comic books and superheroes are with some folks, the medium still gets a raw deal from the "establishment". In other words, for every fan that exists, there's still at least one person who says, "Oh, comic books are just for kids". Any time you see an adult comic book fan, portrayed in the movies or on television,more often than not, they come across as a "Nerd" "Geek", or as someone who has trouble getting a date. If only thse who keep those stereotypes alive would take a look at Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross, I think they would gain a new perspective

Mr Ross is real asset for the medium.His artwork is nothing short of stunning. The drawings featured in the 288 page coffee table book are so well crafted and detailed, that if I didn't know any better I would swear that they were three demensional. These aren't just your average line drawlings of folks in funny looking pajamas. The depth of expression is astounding Ross takes you back in time to another era, while maintaining a very modern flair I would call him a mdern day Picaso or Rembrandt in his field. Film director M. Night Shyamalan, who made the super hero film Unbrakeable, provides the book's introduction. Collaborating with Ross for the book, designer/writer Chip Kidd and photographer Geoff Spearto further expand on Ross's work. There's also a n exclusive Batman and Superman tale, written by Paul Dini in the book as well.

This is recommended for anyone who follows comics. I also hope that a few non-fans, will give it a chance, as well.

A must for any Alex Ross Fan
Mythology is a complete rundown of the works of Alex Ross. Even since he hit the seen with Marvels, I have been blown away with his incredible attention to detail. No one has brought the characters to life on the pages of a comic book like Alex Ross.

The book does more then reprint some of his best paintings. There is tons of detail on how the poses came about and what his inspirations were. His tributes to the golden age of comics can be found in alot of his work. ... Read more

Book Description

A hilarious hole in one! Golfers are, to say the least, dedicated (some would argue certifiable) and these cartoons bring out the best of the humor of the game—from its triumphs to its frustrations. The New Yorker 's cartoon editor Bob Mankoff has selected the very best golf cartoons for this book from the magazine's amazing artists. And the best of The New Yorker means cartoonists like Charles Addams, Peter Arno, George Booth, Roz Chast, Edward Koren, and William Steig. George Plimpton has theorized on sports books that "the smaller the ball, the better the book." He was commenting on prose, but this fabulous collection proves his theory true for cartoons as well. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent Humor about "Course" and "Off-Course" Moments
This book only lacks a knowledgeable introduction by a humorist, top golfer or pro, or cartoonist to make it a five-star offering.

To me, the best humor is one that captures the reality of how the viewer perceives life. In the case of The New Yorker Book of Golf Cartoons, every golfer will recognize her- or himself . . . and members of past foursomes.

Unlike most sports cartoons, these wonderful offerings provide both female and male perspectives as players. There's still the battle of the sexes around the missing male golfer, but not all cartoons are sex stereotyped . . . which I liked.

Here are a few of my favorites:

One guru with a long beard to another in front of cave overlooking a canyon as the second guru tees off: "If you're so enlightened, how come you can't lick that slice?" This reminded me of the section about Deepak Chopra in Who's Your Caddy?

With a tree lying between the ball and the pin, the caddy hands a saw to the golfer.

"The Male Biological Clock" shows a golfer thinking: "If I don't learn how to play golf by the time I'm forty-three, I'll never learn."

A golfer is thrashing behind a bush and birds and animals run pell-mell away from him.

"I am the Lady of the Lake, and because thou hast defiled my crystal waters I must hence smite thee. That or penalize thee a stroke. Your call." As you can imagine, most golfers would avoid the one stroke penalty.

Man races out the door carrying clubs says to wife, "Gotta run, sweetheart. By the way, that was one fabulous job you did raising the children."

A woman stands on a widow's walk atop her roof looking through a telescope towards a golf course.

One golfer to another as the second one takes his ball out of the cup, "Bankruptcy doesn't seem to have hurt your putting eye a bit, Pete."

One golfer to another as the second one wrestles with an alligator in a swamp, "Oh, for goodness' sake, forget it, Beasley. Play another one."

A man holds clubs next to a woman who's just finished her swing. The ball drops into the cup after two bounces. She asks, "Like so?" This reminded me of the time I took my mother to play golf for the first time, and she beat me on almost every hole after the first four. She quit the game in disgust that day, complaining that it was just too easy to be interesting.
Two golfers are thrashing through the high grass beyond the green looking for a lost ball. One turns to the other and says, "You know something, Jeff. There is one place we haven't looked." That's exactly what happened to me when I hit my hole-in-one to a blind green.

I could go on, but won't so that you'll have something to look forward to (other than your next round of golf). You can see that the cartoonists have a great sense of the game . . . that can only come from having struggled out on the links themselves.

This book will be a great gift for a parent who is a golfer for either Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Fore!!

Amusing Perspectives on Both Golfing and Flogging
At least to me, reviewing an anthology of cartoons resembles reviewing a performance by Marcel Marceau. Just as you really had to be there to see the performance to appreciate his talent, you really have to see the cartoons to appreciate their creators' talent. So, what to say now? First, that I am avid golfer and thus have a special interest in this volume, one of several in a series. Also, I am a long-time subscriber to The New Yorker and had already seen most of Robert Mankoff's selections as editor. I just wish I had aged as well as they have. Finally, if you love both golf (which is "flog" spelled backwards) and a good laugh, and no one else has as yet purchased The New Yorker Book of Golf Cartoons for you, don't begin dropping hints resembling anvils and then eagerly await the next birthday, anniversary, or holiday. Treat yourself to a copy TODAY. Amazon enables you to check out several of Robert Mankoff's selections as editor. Meanwhile, here's an excerpt from the dust jacket: "Mark Twain called it 'a good walk spoiled.' Lee Trevino said it was the most fun he ever had with his clothes on. For duffers and pros alike, golf can be both a delight and a torment -- often on the same day, sometimes on the same hole." Been there, done that. And, alas, will no doubt do so again...and again...and again. Fellow duffers, however badly you may play, you can count on this volume to entertain you later...and thereby help you to have the right perspective when you golf and/or flog your way through the next round.

The perfect, brainy "no-brainer" gift for golfers.
Golfers are, almost without exception, fanatical and this book hilariously captures all the elements of the game - the joys and frustrations, the golfers and the golf widows, the pros and the duffers. ... Read more

Book Description

Based on the author's popular website, Alex Boese's The Museum of Hoaxes takes readers on a tour of hundreds of documented hoaxes, many published here for the first time. You'll read about the curiosities and cons of the most notorious hornswogglers and flimflam men of the nineteenth century; you'll be astounded at the impostors, pretenders, carnies, and tricksters of the twentieth.

Learn how Edgar Allan Poe got away with an astonishing literary deception. Or how P. T. Barnum turned hoaxing the public into big business. It's all here, from the origin of April Fools' Day to the Taco Liberty Bell, from Bigfoot to the War of the Worlds to recent Internet hoaxes. There's also a Gullibility Test that challenges readers to answer the question: "Would these hoaxes have fooled YOU?"

Written with both humor and historical insight, and complete with photographs and illustrations, The Museum of Hoaxes will be the gift book of choice for anyone who has ever been duped, deceived, tricked, or trumped . . . or just likes watching the pros in action. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Cursory Curiosities
I have to admit to being simultaneously disappointed and entertained by Alex Boese's The Museum of Hoaxes. While Boese certainly has researched many pranks, stunts and deceptions and writes in a breezy style, I kept wishing for more information about the hoaxes he reports (not more hoaxes, of which there are plenty). Had I come across this book in a brick-and-mortar store, I probably would not have bought it; and I have to admit that the Amazon reviewer does comment about the lack of detail. For example, the section on The Great Chess Automaton is only two rather small pages long, with no pictures. Look on James Randi's (the Amazing Randi) website for the James Randi Educational Fountation, dedicated to debunking hoaxes, physics, and the like, and you'll find two commentaries dedicated to the same topic, with several drawings which make the hoax perfectly clear. Randi's account is much more engaging, as its detail brings the story to life. Boese discusses the Loch Ness Monster and the "surgeon's photo"--but doesn't include the photo itself. The book makes good light reading, and perhaps it's greatest good is as a testiment to the fact that the media is less in the news and education business than in the entertainment business, a case which Randi also makes repeatedly. You'll probably encounter a few stories you've heard before and not realised were hoaxes or outright frauds, such as the sightings of sea monsters by the passenger ship Mauretania--a report first published in the New York Times and repeated ad infinitum in books on Cryptozoology and Fortean Phenomena, but which has entirely no basis in fact. You'll surely discover things of which you've not heard--my favorite is "The Great Monkey Hoax" hailing from my home state of Georgia, wherein a dead Capuchin monkey was doused in depiliatory cream and left in the road by two boys who claimed they'd struck it while two other "aliens" escaped in a glowing UFO. Boese has a gullibilty test in his book, which I, a confirmed skeptic, didn't do well on. And a number of famous or otherwise interesting hoaxes didn't make it into his book--including Mother Shipton, the psychic more accurate than Nostradamus but who unfortunately didn't exist, or the mermaid story which took place here in Hong Kong less than 10 years ago--a report was widely circulated in the media that a fisherman had caught a mermaid and his boat was bringing her into port. People flocked to the docks, but the boat was delayed and wouldn't be in until the next day. Still people came, but of course, no mermaid ever showed up--I don't remember what the excuse was--I think perhaps he freed the mermaid because she'd threatened him with a curse. Or the monkey man that was running around rooftops in India, supposedly assulting people, also within the last decade. Boese maintains a website where at least some of these hoaxes are written up; but like the book that site lacks detail and seems somewhat flat.

Marvelous and astounding!
I've been waiting for this book, and now I'm delighted to have "The Museum of Hoaxes" to take with me everywhere. This is a wonderful collection of hoax stories from the Middle Ages to the Internet era, each an illustration of clever prankstering -- or astonishing gullibility. Well-written and easy to read at a page or two each, these hoaxes sometimes crack me up, sometimes make me feel smugly superior, and sometimes leave me afraid that I will soon get hoaxed myself. When I'm reading, I often find myself wanting to tell somebody about one of the incredible stories I've just found. Because the Museum is so comprehensive and thorough, there's almost a feeling of something useful about the knowledge I've acquired, all this trivia about centuries of hoaxes. It's just enough to make the pleasure entirely guiltless. This book is fabulous -- and that's no hoax!

Fun for what it is
This book is basically a well-organized laundry list of hoaxes. The author arranges hoaxes in logical categories based on the type of deception involved. Some, especially those from further in the past, sound preposterous, but one must always account for the differences in knowledge and thought processes between times past and now. What was most disturbing to me is the fact that some of the hoaxes sounded plausible; it makes you wonder how many pieces of knowledge we take for granted might be well-contrived hoaxes. Conspiracy theorists take THAT attitude to the extreme, seeing hoaxes everywhere. But hoaxes are most prevalent when it is hard to get independent supporting data about a topic, which this book points out. For instance, if a white fellow turned up in Europe and claimed to be a Taiwanese native, we would laugh at him. But a white fellow did turn up in Europe several centuries ago, claiming to be a native of Formosa (Taiwan's former name). Without additional information (that Taiwanese are Asians), the people of Europe were unable to quickly discount the story.

You'll be surprised by what you don't know
So are you one of those many people, like I was, who believed the old rumor about subliminal advertising? You know, the one where a group of researchers added a few clever lines like "Hungry? Candy and Popcorn at the Concession" to be flashed during a movie so quickly the conscious mind missed it but the subconscious caught it and the concession stand sold 50% more candy and popcorn. I believed it quite completely for many years, until Alex Boese, our esteemed curator for this Museum of Hoaxes, informed me it was complete hooey. Turns out a researcher did indeed claim to do this and it caused quite a stir 40 years ago, but when scientific colleagues pressed him to reproduce this effect in a more controlled setting, he could not. And, to this day, the receipt of subliminal messages remains unproven.

Interesting stuff, isn't it? You'll be surprised at all the things you thought you knew. Its well written and a page turner, in fact, I tore through this book in less than a day, I simply could not put it down, much to the annoyance of my pretty wife.

Really interesting and fun book.
This book is an interesting read. I tells enough about each hoax so that you enjoy readin about the story, but it does not get "clinical" and boring. I like the fact you read just a few pages at a time if you like, and come back to it later. If you are interested in practical jokes and hoaxes, check this out, it is a fun read. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

One of the all-time best business books + Scott Adams¿ best
I cannot say enough positive things about BABLBSOS, Scott Adams' first book and the one that started him on his path to fame, glory, and fortune. I bought my first copy in the early nineties at the MIT Tech Coop bookstore, when a fellow geek friend of mine said I absolutely had to read it - he just shoved it into my shopping tote. At that point in time I had never heard of Scott Adams, and I think the Boston Globe was one of a small handful of papers carrying Dilbert (it subsequently took two years of letter writing before my local paper agreed to carry it).

In BABLBSOS, Scott Adams covers his by now familiar territory of the world of American high tech business for the very first time. BABLBSOS is not a rehash of the daily Dilbert strip like so many other collections of Adams'. Rather, BABLBSOS is original material organized by topics, which collectively cover all major aspects of the workplace experience in a high tech company. Since Adams is exploring this material for the first time, and is not doing it in a daily comic strip form, the results are more hard-hitting and concise than Adams' subsequent books. Each page stands on its own and showcases in the best possible way Adams' brilliantly cynical understanding of how businesses all too often really function.

But BABLBSOS is more than just Scott Adams' best work. It also is one of the best business books and management guides ever created, and certainly the pithiest. All too many business books present prescriptions for how businesses should operate. BABLBSOS is the opposite: an "anti-business" book that shows how businesses actually behave, from the perspective of the employees. The challenge and guidance for managers, then, is to do the opposite of the pointy-haired boss, to avoid the situations that Adams presents.

After I originally read BABLBSOS, I recommended it to everyone I knew who would appreciate it (which is almost anyone who works for a living in a corporation), and used many of the panels in various presentations. I still keep a copy handy in my office for reference. So, as you can see, I cannot recommend BABLBSOS highly enough.

OK Book
Interesting title but the cartoons inside does not match the funniness of the cover.

P.

Dogbert has useful tips for everyday situations.
This book is practical, humorous, and has big, simple cartoon pictures so it's easy to understand. Dogbert gives useful insights on everyday situations such as coffee intake, boss classifications, and hallway greetings. A must read!

A book about business through the eyes of Dilbert
There are many book about business etiquette. Many of them talk about all sorts of obscure manners and what to do in the strangest of situations. But this one actually talks about situations that you get into every day, such as hallway etiquette and mettings. But the best part about it is that it is fun to read. Other books have pages and pages of text that talk endlessly like a moron in the hallway. With this book, every page have something funny about it

excellent, excellent, excellent!
I will forever be grateful to the wise woman introduced me to the world according to Dilbert (and his megalomaniac dog Dogbert) with this book a few Christmases ago. If you enjoy this -- or rather, when you need more Dilbert, you have to get Dogbert's Clues for the Clueless -- my all-time favorite Dilbert book. ... Read more

Book Description

Featuring the mannister! Two-fisted Poe! Mister Bossman! wonder Book Junior, Boy Detective! Cousin Grampa! Sex Blimps! Underpants-on-his-head man! and much, much, much, more!

Reviews (9)

I love love love love love it!
I can go on and on about Michael Kupperman. My friends (that have had the honor of reading this book) and I have adapted Snake N' Bacon catch phrases into our daily lives. Such as, "Chee I wish we had a snackin' cracka" (I'm hungry), "Murder Me? Murder You!" (Gee, I'm angry) and also "We're all private detectives now, that's how it works in this crazy, fast paced world of the future!" (We're all private detectives now, that's how it works in this crazy, fast paced world of the future!) I... Just buy the book!

Incomparable weirdness
Oh, new taste! This is sublime cartoon Dada, an uncontrollable mixmaster of comic book and pulp fiction cliches, miscellaneous 20th century popular culture, and crazed anachronisms (Leonardo da Vinci inventing "Crunchalicious" snackin' crackers for a group of young hooligans straight out of the "Little Rascals".) Every page delivers the unexpected. I was mesmerized, and my wife was howling with laughter the whole time she read it. Now, most people aren't the type to be reduced to helpless giggles by a cartoon snake and a strip of bacon who say "Ssss!" and "Pat me dry with a paper towel to remove excess grease!", but if you're among the lucky few who are, press that big candy-colored patented One-Click button RIGHT NOW!

You May Remove Excess Grease with Paper Towel
For those of you who, like me, discovered the work of P. Revess through his occassional appearances in the Zero Zero anthology: this is the same guy. In fact, a couple of the stories in this book were also published in Zero Zero (which were themselves reprinted from other hard to find publications). So if you enjoyed those stories, you'll love this whole collection which is equally surreal and laugh-out-loud funny. For those who haven't read his work in Zero Zero, the reviews below give good descriptions.

Funny and bizarre
I am a fan of Bill Fitzhugh and as he recommended it I decided to try it.

Black humour, satire, and tongue-in-cheek send-ups on just about everything related to underground comics abound in Kupperman's little tour-de-force. Kupperman is endlessly inventive with weird super-hero ideas, such as "Underpants on his head man." Some of the other strips like Roger Daltry's Sex Diary, Long John Silver's Sex Diary, The Party Sex Blimps, Ozzy Osbourne in the 25rh century, are hilarious.

I like the way Kupperman takes famous people from the past, such as Einstein, Mark Twain, and Poe and reinvents them as superheroes. A lot of the humour in his work comes from that.

A lot of it is more weird than funny, but there is enough truly funny stuff to make it worth reading through the dry patches. To me it's a lot like what Mark Leyner would do if he did comics strips. As Bill Fitzhugh said in his review, a lot of the humour in Kupperman's work comes from the concept itself. And he's a damn good artist and illustrator as well.

Inspired beyond words
When I first heard of Snake 'n' Bacon about a year ago I laughed out loud. I hadn't seen the drawings -- the idea alone tickled me. Now I've seen the art and I'm knocked silly.

Michael Kupperman is a genius. This collection of work is profoundly inspired. He's created superheros the likes of which have never been seen before: Underpants-on-his-head-man; Dr. Slappy; Rip Lazybones and His Futuristic Wonderbed; and Professor Gastropod to name only a few. And superheros aren't necessarily his strong suit. Part surreal, part non-sequitur, all inspired. The humor comes from the concepts, the dialogue, and the art itself.

If you're a fan of humor that lands in the ballpark with Gary Larson, Monty Python, The Onion, Robert Smigel, Smack the Pony, National Lampoon etc., this collection is for you. And for your friends. Do yourself a favor and get it now! You can thank me later. ... Read more

Book Description

Fifteen-year-old Jeremy Duncan is the heart and soul of puberty. A typical teen, Jeremy is shy, self-absorbed, and bored. He loves hanging out and playing the guitar, and is constantly befuddled at his parents' uncoolness. He lives in the shadow of his older brother's perfect 4.0 grade-point-average, star athlete, flawless complexion image. Jeremy's girlfriend, Sara, loves that she can get him to do anything for her. His best friends are Hector and Pierce, whom he's known for-almost-ever. His parents? Uncool baby boomers. (Unless you're a parent. Then they are two suburban professionals trying to do the best they can with a teenager going through that "awkward" phase.)The enormously popular comic strip Zits depicts teenage and parental angst like no other. Teenage Tales is a cornucopia of recent Zits for die-hard fans everywhere.Zits can be seen in more than 1,100 newspapers, which is almost unheard of. Only 18 other comic strips have achieved that extraordinary milestone. Zits has won the National Cartoonists Society's Best Comic Strip of the Year for two years in a row. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Teenagers relate to Zits
It is funny and the most well dramatized version of a teenage life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The best of the Bat
Amazing.

This is one VERY rare comic in that the quality of the writing - not just the story, but the prose could stand alone in any other medium. A better story than even the beloved (by Batfans) 'The Dark Knight Returns', BLIND JUSTICE will change the way you think about this character.

I guess I haven't seen this book in well over ten years and I can still remember its message and its closing words.

Well, Wouldn't You Know It?
Interestingly enough, Sam Hamm is the same person who penned the original "Batman" movie, directed by Tim Burton. On the eve of the Bat's 600th anniversary issue, DC Comics brought in Mr. Hamm to penn 'Blind Justice' ... and, sadly, this work of art would never be filmed for reasons I won't disclose here in the event that you rush out to read it. However, if the thought of truly exploring the possibly demented psyche of Bruce Wayne interests you, then BLIND JUSTICE is right up your alley. In this tale, you'll be shocked to find out just how far Bruce Wayne will go to not only preserve his secret identity but also how far he will go to preserve the justice that is the Batman. An incredible work of fiction that deserved more praise than it received. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Two paws up!
I really am Garfield's biggest fan. Ask me ANY question about him - I'll know the answer. I absolutely loved this book - Garfield has done it again! I don't understand how you can't love a fat cat! Is it his sarcasm? Is it his love for food? Maybe it's his , well , I don't know what it is! Just read the book =)

As someone who owns all of the Garfield books
This was truly a let down. I know after so many years it's hard to keep a strip fresh. But Jim Davis shouldn't let Garfield get so watered down. I've loved Garfield since I was a kid, and own all the books (Number 14 being my favorite), and all the other books Davis has released. I could pick up this book, and go through it without finding a joke that was new, or funny, which of course is a huge let down. Garfield is not Snoopy, where Charles Schultz made the Peanuts Gang interesting and funny as long as he wrote it. After reading this, you get the feeling that Jim Davis was out of new material 10 years ago, and he's just trying to milk the series for all it's worth. Cats don't usually live well into their 30's, so I believe it's time for Davis to start thinking of how to let Garfield ride into the sunset with a scred of dignity left. If you must purchase this book, stop in your local bookstore and leaf through it, to see if you still like it. I love Garfield as much as the next person, but not this way.

If You're Hungry For Garfield, This Is A Satisfying Treat
I can never get enough of Garfield's sarcastic humor, so I love to sit down with a book like this and read six months of strips in one single sitting.

This, his 40th book, covers the strips from June-December of 2001 with a few outrageous outtakes in which you won't recognize Garfield before he took on his present form.

My favorites are always the ones with Nermal, but his neighbor Mrs. Feeny also gets her share of torture from the tubby tabby and his antics with Jon and Odie take center stage. When it comes to cats, fat is where it's at and nobody does fat better than Garfield in a smorgasboord of full-color strips to make you laugh the day away.

the best way to read Garfield..
Is by reading about a year and a half of strips in these little books that they keep releasing . I buy like 10 of these every time that I know I'm about to go on a trip. I'm pretty sure that I own everyone of them. I love Garfield and I hope that he stays around forever. :)

Fat Cat's Rule
I really enjoy Garfield's humor. This book is great. ... Read more

Book Description

Bill Amend does it better than anybody else. His ability to present middle-class family life in a way that's consistently fresh, irreverent, and downright wacky is unsurpassed. If asked'and they are each day they open the more than 1,000 newspapers that carry his strip'Amend's audience of 25 million readers would say the same thing.That committed and connected audience will be delighted once again to discover Who's Up for Some Bonding', the latest in a series that includes 18 previous collections and eight treasuries, amounting to nearly two million FoxTrot books in circulation. This time around, Amend's antics with the Fox family include the artist's invitingly skewed views of 'normal' life: children who are light-years ahead of their parents when it comes to computers, siblings who could teach the CIA a thing or two about covert and 'get-even' ops, and parents who stumble around in a slight daze as they deal with all the 'amenities' of the modern world.Jason, Peter, Paige, and their parents, Roger and Andy, deliver the laughs. They all bring their unique personalities and perspectives to the FoxTrot world, whether the subject is technology, tofu recipes . . . or a son convinced he could be the next zillionaire Martha Stewart. FoxTrot surprises. FoxTrot charms. FoxTrot always satisfies.

... Read more

Reviews (12)

Bill Amend does it again!
Bill Amend cranks out another collection of comic strips featuri