Book Description

It's the 10th Anniversary Edition of Love Is Hell! A book that's been in the making for a solid decade! This medium-sized guide is now available to the public with extra bonus fun-pages never-before-included in previous volumes of the same name! Slightly less scrawny than the original Love Is Hell, this behemoth-style handbook is jam-packed with all the info YOU need to keep your love-fight burnin'! Frankly written and profusely illustrated by famed cartoonist and merchandising monarch Matt Groening, Love Is Hell is the answer to all your Quandaries de l'Amour, or, as we say in American, Love Quandaries. Inside, you'll find handy tips on everything from Getting the Love You Deserve to Getting Your Heart Broken into Millions of Tiny Pieces. Plus so very much more. Why, we've even included a brand-spankin'-new intro by the author himself, written especially for this incredible 10th Anniversary Edition! And as if that wasn't enough, because you've waited so patiently for this special edition to come out, you get a special gold-colored anniversary seal right on the front cover, just because we care. Here's hoping you find a love as lasting and meaningful as this paperback. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Matt Groening, creator of the Simpsons, all in perspective
This book is from the brilliant mind of Matt Groening, the creator of the Nationally Renowned "THE SIMPSONS" television show. Before he founded the Simpsons, Matt was doing a weekly comic strip here in Santa Cruz for our local paper which developed a huge following. His cult-like status soon followed when his comic strip based "unusual" animated characters began to reach out to everyone with a heart. "Love is Hell" is a book that anyone who has ever been in love can appreciate and laugh at, but anyone who's gone through that harsh, bitter, "kill me now" time after rejection, needs to understand the humor behind the pain. And it's here, in Matt's book. It will make you laugh and be grateful you're not one of his characters. I LOVE THIS BOOK! The comics are from the 80's and gives you that perspective as well. priceless as far as I'm concerned. I'll NEVER part with my book!

What's hell got to do with it?
Love is hell is a laugh out loud book. If you've ever been in love, lust had a crush or anything in between you'll be able to relate. Matt Groening shows us all the pitfalls of love. With cartoons such as The 9 types of boyfriends,Getting the Love You Deserve, etc you realize that people really are the same all over.

Love is hell is the book you pull out when you think love isn't going to happen because after reading it and thinking a while you realize...maybe love is hell. By the creator of the Simpsons before he hit it big this is a one of a kind book that will have a place of honor in your home. Just don't lend it out because you'll never het it back! Do you want to laugh really laugh than buy this book unless your in love....than well wait awhile eventually you'll need to buy it.

How much do I love this?
Love is Hell--sounds redundant doesn't it?

I love the subtitle to this: A CARTOON BOOK, as if Matt Groening were downplaying the truth behind almost every page in his book. This is hardly "cartoon" material: every page takes a very mature look at pitfalls of relationships and turns them into hilarious results! And Groening is an equal-opportunity skewerer: men, women, straight, gay, everyone gets it. And the great thing is to see a little of yourself in here, and have a good laugh at that too.

To quote Homer Simpson: It's funny becasue it's true!
It is not that the idea that "Love Is Hell" is news to anybody; after all, there is a sense in which the phrase is redundant and repetitive. What matters here is that Matt Groening gets us to laugh at the most painful aspect of human existence, namely having your heart and other body parts ripped to shreds by someone you love (e.g., "The 22 Stages of Heartbreak"). The 13-chapter miniseries "Love is Hell," which begins the collection of "Life is Hell" strips circa 1982-1986, is not so much a "self help" treatise as it is a "self defense manual." Whether you are a girl who needs to be aware of the difference between having "Joe Sensitive" and "The Sneak," or a boy who should recognize "Ms. Vaguely Dissatisfied" as being different from the "Woman From Mars." As the brutally honest back cover blurb tells the potential reader, "Many men and women have reconciled themselves to their hellish doom" after reading this "frankly illustrated" and "profusely written" volume.

However, there is the proverbial much, much more besides the "Love is Hell" cartoon mini-series. Some also deal with love, as in "What Not to Say During Moments of Intimacy," but others deal with the opposite, as in "Kids' Questions About Death." I shared "How to Be a Clever Film Critic" with my Pop Culture students so that would know how to impress me in their film papers, and the collection's final single panel cartoon provides the words that every young kid needs to know to get through life (but do not tell anybody that I said this). "The Simpsons" is wickedly funny, but it seems like a cartoon show compared to these comic strips.

A must read
If you are a fan of the Simpsons and Matt Groening, you will love this book. From his take on the types of girlfriends to the stages of a breakup, Groening approaches each subject with sarcastic precision that will have you rolling on the floor. If you like the Life in Hell series, this is a must for you. Buy this book! You will love it. ... Read more

Book Description

With deadpan humor that combines sneaky social satire with clever wordplay, New Yorker cartoonist Jack Ziegler has inspired paroxysms of laughter for the last three decades. And now this "genius with a touch of madness" serves up his most delicious and satisfying comic fare: 125 tasty morsels about food culture and consumption.

The cartoons in this hilarious book-some of them never published before-include a conversation about the market at a local tavern ("I took one look at the price of coffee futures this morning and decided to reinvest in the stability of beer"), a fish psychiatrist offering sage counsel to a fish patient ("Has it ever occurred to you just to say, 'Hey, I quit. I don't want to be part of the food chain anymore'?"), and a culinary face-off between René Magritte and Betty Crocker. These cartoons, the author promises, will make readers so sick with laughter that they won't be able to eat for a week. AUTHOR BIO: Jack Ziegler has published more than 1,000 cartoons in The New Yorker since his first work appeared there in 1974. His work also appears regularly in Playboy and other periodicals, and he has illustrated a number of humor and children's books. Ziegler lives in Las Vegas. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A book that puts the laugh in laughter!
The title says it all. This is the most hilarious book I`ve read so far! If there wasn`t a maximum of 5 stars I`d rate this comic more than that! One of my favorites is when Odie types. Then, the computer says, "Your order has been processed. Thank you." Then, Jon walks over and says, "www.dingleball.com?" This is DEFINITELY one of your better Garfield books! The sooner you get it, the sooner you`ll have the laughter of your life!

Date Coverage
Contains all the daily and Sunday strips April 9, 2000 through November 4, 2000.

The Best I've Read
I have loved Garfield since I started reading about him, and I'm always after the next one. If I was to say my favorite comic in this book, it would probably be the one where Jon says, "YAH" and Garfield says, "Paper cut", then Jon says, "YAAH", and Garfield says, "Envelope Cut", then Jon says, "YAAAAAAAAAAAH", or something, (I can't remember how many "A"'s in that "YAH"). Then Garfield says, "And that would be the stamp cut", and smiles. However, another favorite of mine in this book is when Jon gets a paper cut on his tongue and Garfield offers a potato chip. You know what happens then, Jon says, "NYAH GAH NYAH NYAH GAAAAH GAH GAH NYAH" (or something like that) because Garfield remembers how to make "Fun with salt". This is definitely a must-own for any Garfield lover.

20 years and still going strong!
This book is awesome, as usual. Jim Davis has come through with another excellent collection of Garfield comics, and the new, larger, color format is much more fun to read! Garfield and Odie's antics will keep you laughing from cover to cover. This book is a must read for any Garfield fanatic.

Garfield can never disappoint me
I have finally gotten used to this new format that Jim Davis started using with the previous Garfield book. As usual, Jim doesn't disappoint me with Garfield's antics. Poor Jon and Odie are Garfield's usual targets, and spiders too. I love the moments in the book when Garfield is busy squishing spiders. Those have become some of the funniest moments for Garfield. And I was laughing pretty hard when Jon hits his thumb with the hammer and he yells out "mommy!" and tries to retract that statement by saying "ouch!" but Garfield replies with "too late". Another favorite moment is when Garfield and Jon tries to outdo each other by eating the hottest peppers there are. Classic Garfield. And as usual, Jon has trouble getting a date or one that can fit through the doorway of his house. I may be 27 years old but I will never outgrow Garfield. This is one cool cat that should never change. ... Read more

Book Description

"Congratulations to Bradford W. Wright for penning one of the most comprehensive and readable accounts of the pervasive effect that comic books have had upon generations of readers throughout America, and indeed—the world."—Stan Lee

As American as jazz or rock and roll, comic books have been central in the nation's popular culture since Superman's 1938 debut in Action Comics #1. Selling in the millions each year for the past six decades, comic books have figured prominently in the childhoods of most Americans alive today. In Comic Book Nation, Bradford W. Wright offers an engaging, illuminating, and often provocative history of the comic book industry within the context of twentieth-century American society.

From Batman's Depression-era battles against corrupt local politicians and Captain America's one-man war against Nazi Germany to Iron Man's Cold War exploits in Vietnam and Spider-Man's confrontations with student protestors and drug use in the early 1970s, comic books have continually reflected the national mood, as Wright's imaginative reading of thousands of titles from the 1930s to the 1980s makes clear. In every genre—superhero, war, romance, crime, and horror comic books—Wright finds that writers and illustrators used the medium to address a variety of serious issues, including racism, economic injustice, fascism, the threat of nuclear war, drug abuse, and teenage alienation. At the same time, xenophobic wartime series proved that comic books could be as reactionary as any medium.

Wright's lively study also focuses on the role comic books played in transforming children and adolescents into consumers; the industry's ingenious efforts to market their products to legions of young but savvy fans; the efforts of parents, politicians, religious organizations, civic groups, and child psychologists like Dr. Fredric Wertham (whose 1954 book Seduction of the Innocent, a salacious exposé of the medium's violence and sexual content, led to U.S. Senate hearings) to link juvenile delinquency to comic books and impose censorship on the industry; and the changing economics of comic book publishing over the course of the century. For the paperback edition, Wright has written a new postscript that details industry developments in the late 1990s and the response of comic artists to the tragedy of 9/11. Comic Book Nation is at once a serious study of popular culture and an entertaining look at an enduring American art form. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Fascinating Look at the Culture Depicted in Comic Books
Bradford W. Wright in Comic Book Nation (The Transformation of Youth in Culture in America) looks at the history of comic books as reflected in the form of culture presented within the comic books themselves and the changing culture of youth, who were the largest market for these comic books. It is not a definitive look at comics but it is an interesting examination of culture that will take the reader on a tour through much of the changes in comic books and society since the thirties using the books themselves as a form of primary evidence. It brilliantly continues the work of William W. Savage, Jr. in his pioneering Comic Books and American, 1945 - 1954. This book will be loved by comic book fans, of course, but should also prove quite interesting to any reader interested in matters of popular culture. It is the right balance between scholarly and fun and is a joy to read.

Thorough survey of the business and culture of comic books
In jargon-free, exuberant prose, Bradford Wright has written what may well be the definitive history of comic books. As Wright notes in his introduction, however, since his investigation is also a survey of mass adolescent culture, he properly focuses on "popular" commercial magazines--especially on superhero-themed comics--to the exclusion of newspaper funnies (like Dick Tracy and Li'l Abner), underground comics and graphic novels (such as works by R. Crumb and Daniel Clowes), and cartoon series for children (Archie and the Disney characters).

Painstakingly researched, "Comic Book Nation" is really three books in one. Wright provides both plot outlines and summaries of trends in subject matter, from the launch of Superman to the sinister underworld of the Watchmen. He also places those themes and developments in the larger cultural context, from Depression-era longings and liberalism, through the patriotism induced by World War II and the Cold War, to the anti-crime vigilantism of the Reagan era. Finally, he charts the multiple peaks and valleys experienced by the business itself: its unpredictable sales patterns, the unhappiness of its work force, the rise and fall of the largest publishers, and the takeover of the industry by corporate and licensing interests. Along the way, he examines the 1940s and 1950s backlash against the violent and sexual nature of comic books (which resulted in the Comics Code Authority, an agency of censorship unparalleled in its broad sweep and its power); the heyday of EC Comics, purveyor of classics ranging from "Tales from the Crypt" to "Mad Magazine"; and the brilliant, original creation of "Spider-Man" and the succeeding generation of reluctant, misunderstood heroes.

Wright wisely avoids making aesthetic judgments, and it's a tribute to his objectivity that readers would have a difficult time figuring out which series rank among the author's own favorites. Likewise, although Wright's left-of-center political judgments are on display throughout (and I confess I often found myself in agreement with him), he is consistently even-handed and empathetic when discussing the advocates of censorship (like Fredric Wertham) and the creators of more "patriotic" and even propagandistic comic books (such as Charlton Publications).

Not having read a superhero-themed comic book in years, I admit I was drawn to buy and read this book by Michael Chabon's "Kavalier and Clay," and I can confirm that this is a great book for readers of that novel who want to learn more. Although I imagine that some comic book fans (especially young readers) might find Wright's study long on analysis and short on comics, "Comic Book Nation" is truly a seminal contribution to the field of culture studies.

Very easy to read
Since I am not a huge fan of comic books myself & was only required to read this book for a very interesting class, I was very pleased with how easy it was to read Dr. Wright's intriguing look at the comic book industry. I don't have a lengthy commentary to give, however, if you want to read a book which combines comic book history with a personal touch this is the book for you. It is very thoughtfully written. And it is the perfect book to give to readers who may be a bit ignorant when it comes to the ups and downs of the comic book industry.

It is especially important to read the introduction so you can see where Dr. Wright is coming from. He, along with his comic book collection, just may have been a contributing factor in the downfall of East Germany... One will never know.

The Transformation of Youth Culture in America!
Trained in historical studies, Wright has a decisive advantage in writing this survey. He beautifully ties together the development of comic books with political, economic, and sociocultural events (1930s-60s), showing impacts in both directions. The reader learns about comics promoting colonialism, the US side during WW II and the Korean War, postwar triumphalism, the Cold War, and 1960s movements. Wright's raw material is thousands of comic books and their stories, which he systematically links to the history of the times. However, Wright's lack of connection to the growing community of comics scholars results in some inaccuracies: specifically, that "virtually nothing scholarly had been written" about comic books and that not much attention has been paid to comics in a historical context (both assertions contradicted by a number of scholarly works he cites in extensive endnotes and a reference overview); and that no standard for the citation of comic books exists (such a guide, developed by a group of comics scholars in 1998, was published in International Journal of Comic Art and online). The book also contains some serious factual errors (e.g., Tony Isabella is not a black writer). Nevertheless, there is no denying this as an extremely significant link on the history of comics--professionally researched, systematically analyzed, and fascinating. All collections.

Wright Probes the Importance of Popular Culture
This book weaves together three important strands of American cultural and social history between 1933 and the early 1990's. First, Bradford W. Wright relates the history of the comic book industry, developing his account around a series of themes such as superheroes, social problems, race, the Cold War, militarism, and revolt. Second, this thematic material is used as the springboard for a thoughtful reflection on the social development of the US during the dates under consideration. Finally, Wright also studies the fascinating relationships between publishers, artists, and market forces within the comic book industry. This book emphasizes the importance of comics as a healthy genre that has often explored areas of life in the United States that were taboo to mainstream media and culture. Wright's account of the evolution of comics during the Vietnam War is especially valuable. Johns Hopkins has done a beautiful job of designing this book: the elegantly typeset pages are complemented by many excellently chosen replicas of comic book covers and interior pages. These replicas are well chosen and enhance the reading of the book. One can't say enough about this young scholar's prose and insightful analysis. This is a book that all students and professors of 20th century American culture should read-several times! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

amazing cartoonist.
John Callahan is one of the greatest humor cartoonists that I have com across. This entire book (my introduction to Callahan) is filled with hilarious cartoons. If you dont laugh, you either think he's too mean or you just didnt get the cartoon. Amazing guy.

Most Brilliant Cartoonist
I was introduced to Mr. Callahan in 8th grade and I am now a student in college. After buying Levels of Insanity I realized that Nothing else in the world is funnier than Callahan's cartoons!!! Every single comic within this book will have you laughing and wishing you were'nt! CALLAHAN OWNES!! If you're ever in a bad mood, pick up a Callahan book and be completely transformed back to happpiness. Callahan is a genius and his comics rank with the greatest of all time (including Calvin and Hobbes, Far Side etc.) In this book, Callahan makes fun of the pitiful little America we live in and exploits such weaknesses within society in a hilarious manner! I wish I could tell this man what great laughter his cartoons have given me and that there are people who truly appreciate BRUTAL HONESTY!!!!!BUY THIS BOOK! Don't even think about not doing so

brilliant!
damn johns funny. and i love how his cartoons look like he's dipped a stick in mud and drawn directly onto paper - it distinguishes him from the 'newyorker' clones. fantastic ideas. ... Read more

Book Description

The nation's leading sports cartoonist delivers a hu-morous,outrageous, and irreverent collection of parodies guaranteed to elicit laughs. Steve Moore has done it again. In the spirit of cartoonists B. Kliban, Gary Larson, Charles Addams, and Gahan Wilson, the nation's leading sports cartoonist tackles, well, everything! Football, baseball, basketball, skiing, hunting, fishing, jogging, golf--even chess. No sport is spared from Moore's wickedly clever gags, drawn from the viewpoints of players, fans, and couch potatoes everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Subtle and over the top humor...
Arguably the most consistently funny panel since "The Far Side." A great collection. Viva en la bleachers! ... Read more

Amazon.com

'Dilbert' is the most quoted, photocopied, and faxed comic strip of the nineties, with more than 30 million readers in nine countries and many more throughout cyberspace.But in case you've been living in a mayonnaisecontainer for the past five years, Dilbert is a luckless, cubicle-dwelling engineer.His canine companion, Dogbert, plans to conquer the planet andmake all the people his slaves.Together, they navigate a world filled withclueless and annoying people.'Dilbert' is the comic for anyone who thinks they're surrounded by idiots. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A great Dilbert book
One of the main reasons I like this book so much is that it focuses mainly on Dilbert and Dogbert. I have two Dilbert books with just them in it and 9 ones with Dilbert at the office and this one gives a nice change to the whole office aspect. Bob the dinosaur's son Rex is born is this book which is great because in one of my other books they introduce him. Dilbert and Dogbert have a great time together and Dilbert is great and this book is no exception.

Dilbert DIES!
Yes, in this book, the character of Dilbert dies. But never fear, he is cloned back to life from his garbage! This book covers strips from mid-1990 to May 1991. The dinosaurs Bob and Dawn have an egg which hatches into the short-lived character of Rex. Also returning for a series is Dilber't Ego. Scott Adams continues to improve his trade in this book. Great for when you need some laughs or light reading.

5 Stars All the Way
Bring me the Head of Willy the Mailboy! is just as funny as all the other Dilbert books. This one like all of them is a must read for any Dilbert Fan. Look at the average rating for it, A perfect five stars so you know it must be great

Magnificent Book!
Bring Me the Head of Willy the Mailboy is a very wonderful Dilbert book. It exposes the many insane issues of life. It has not fully developed into a workplace comic strip yet, but it is evolving into a semi-workplace comic strip. It is a wonderful book with some darker sides also-like Dilbert dying (But coming back, of course).

Worth a couple read-throughs
A fairly witty book, but you lose something when you re-read it a couple of times. Fairly funny book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Based on the popular course Eisner taught for several years at New York's School of Visual Arts, this lovingly written book on visual storytelling contains an accumulation of his ideas, theories and advice on the practice of graphic story-telling and the uses to which the comic book art form can be applied. Whether you're a film student, literature student, artist or simply a fan of good storytelling, you'll love this book filled with Eisner's cartoons. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

INDESPENSIBLE EXAMINATION OF THE ART OF COMICS
INDISPENSIBLE HOW-TO BOOK THAT REALLY STUDIES THE MEDIUM Reviewer: Zorikh Lequidre from Brooklyn, NY Before this book came out, most "how to draw comics" books were mostly concentrated on big, muscular heroes and action poses. There was very little emphasis on comics as a storytelling medium. Will Eisner has been drawing comics since God invented dirt and has explored almost every way a story can be told. One of his biggest contributions is using every element of the medium to tell the story. This book expounds heavilly on this.

Written years before Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics," Eisner expounds upon how comics are a visual, reading experience using both words and pictures. He instructs the reader in how words and pictures can be used together to tell a story. The author must lead the reader with visual clues to each sequential immage. Mood, emotion, even time can be expressed visually in a comic. Camera angles, panel borders, typefaces, all play a part in the effectiveness of a story.

Eisner gives plenty of examples of his work to illustrate his ideas. Most significant are his "Hamlet," "Life on Another Planet," and several "Spirit" works. Looking at this really helps the reader see how creatively a story can be told.

Also included in this book are examinations of the various types of work a comic illustrator can do, including storyboards and instruction manuals.

This book, and its sequel "Graphic Storytelling," are must reading for anyone who wants to create comics, and good reading for anyone who wants to understand them better. Don't settle for mediocrity, read the best!

The basic to the advanced can learn from Mr. Eisner
This book is one of the finest productions when it comes to the production of the comic book medium. There are several other books available that can tell someone how to draw, but none do what this one does, it focuses on teaching the reader how to tell a story, a virtually lost art in the modern comics arena. It breaks down into simple, yet not trivial components, the way a comic book artist should tell his story, as well as providing examples form Mr. Eisner's portfolio to help the reader understand what is being said. After all what is a book about telling a story with pictures, going to do without using pictures to tell it's story. The book also contains the basics of the drawing medium and some helpful tips for the rendering of comic art, but this is probably one of the best you'll ever see when it comes to learning what it is to tell the story.

Professor Eisner explains comic books as sequential art
"Comics & Sequential Art" is based on a course Will Eisner taught at New York's School of Visual Art although originally this work was written as a series of essays that appeared randomly in "The Spirit" magazine. Eisner provides a guide book to the "principles & practice of the world's most popular art form, and while it is of interest to those of us who read comic books it is clearly intended to be of use to aspiring comic book artists (and writers, albeit to a lesser degree). One way of measuring the book's success is to note that I have the 24th printing of a work that was first published in 1985 (and expanded in 1990 to include print and computer), but then the fact that the book was written by Eisner and uses dozens of examples of his own art work to evidence his points, as well as drawings down specifically for the book, is enough to tell you this is something special.

There are eight lessons in Professor Eisner's syllabus: (1) Comics as a Form of Reading looks at the interplay of word and image in comic books that has created a cross-breeding of illustration and prose, including the idea of how text can be read as image, which shows the sense of detail Eisner brings to his subject. (2) Imagery begins with the idea of letters as images and develops a notion of how the "pictograph" functions in the modern comic strip as a calligraphic style variation. The key subject here is that of images without words. (3) "Timing" considers the phenomenon of duration and its experience as an integral dimension of sequential art, with Eisner drawing (literally) a distinction between "time" and "timing." This chapter looks at framing speech and framing time, with Eisner making his points in the textual part of the chapter and then providing a series of comic book pages evidencing different features he wants to emphasize. (4) The Frame is a major chapter that examines in detail the sequences segments called panels or frames, with Eisner emphasizing the idea that these frames do not correspond exactly to cinematic frames because they are part of the creative process and not the result of the technology. Eisner examines encapsulation, the panel as a medium of control, creating the panel, the panel as container, the "language" of the panel border, the frame as a narrative device, the frame as a structural support, the panel outline, the emotional function of the frame, the "splash" page, the page as a meta panel, the super-panel as a page, panel composition, the function of perspective, and realism and perspective. This chapter is not half the book, but it is close, and it basically tells you everything you ever wanted to know about a panel in a comic book. When you are taking into account the meaning of the border of the panel, then you know this is a comprehensive examination of the subject under discussion.

The rest of the book deals with what you put in those panels: (5) Expressive Anatomy provides a micro-Dictionary of Gestures before covering your options in drawing the body, the face, and the body and the face. As an extended example Eisner provides his complete "Hamlet on a Rooftop," which does the "To be, or not to be" soliloquy. (6) Writing & Sequential Art talks about the relationship between the writer and the artist (whether they are two separate people or not), and various story telling elements. There are several choice examples on the application of words and the various ways then can add meaning to a series of panels, and practical examples of how writers and artists work together to create comic book stories. (7) Application (The Use of Sequential Art) makes a distinction between the functions of sequential art as instruction and as entertainment. This leads to a discussion of not only the graphic novel and technical instruction comics, but story boarding for commercials and films as well. (8) Teaching/Learning, Sequential Art for Comics in the Print and Computer Era lays out the range of diverse disciplines involved in comic books, laid out in a structured typology (categorized under psychology, physics, mechanics, design language and draftsmanship). Eisner also briefly shows what adding a computer to the process means for creating comic books.

There is an inevitable comparison to be drawn between Eisner's "Comics & Sequential Art" and Scott McCloud's "Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art," but I really see the two books as being complementary. Although you obviously can shift back and forth between perspectives, McCloud is looking at the medium from the reader's point of view and Eisner is more concerned with the creative process. Eisner has praised McCloud's book as "a landmark dissection and intellectual consideration of comics as a valid medium," which is a fundamental assumption of Eisner's work here. The primary value of "Comics & Sequential Art" is for professional and amateur artist, but students and teachers, and even mere comic book fans, can benefit from a serious and comprehensive examination of the art of funny books.

A Comics Pro Gives It A Thumbs UP!
As a veteran comic book illustrator (You can find my work here on Amazon.com; I am the CO-creator and artist of Transmetropolitan), I am often asked to recommend books to aspiring professionals in comic book illustration. In that case I always enthusiastically recommend any of Eisner's instructional books as essential reading for anyone serious about their craft and dreams of getting into the industry.

From the earliest work of his career, Will Eisner was an innovator in writing as well as illustration. Even in his twilight years the man is still a vigorous and creative artist producing work that pros as well as fans can't wait to get their hands on.

These books display his genius in an entertaining and easy to follow method, and if put to practice will inspire and reveal hidden keys to making your work truly professional grade. A great companion book to Eisner's "Graphic Storytelling".

- Darick Roberston

More for the professional than the lay person
This is something of Will Eisner's lifework, the non-fiction complement to his wonderful work from the 1950s onward with _The Spirit_ through _A Contract with God_. Herein, Eisner describes the means by which his stories work, what makes them flow and live. Before Scott McCloud's _Understanding Comics_, Eisner was the standard bearer for the explanation of how comics achieved their effect. But this book never got the acclaim that McCloud's did, for it is not necessarily directed at the public, but at the would-be comics professional. In fact, most of the book is a reworking of Eisner's lecture notes from his teaching time at New York's School of Visual Art. The general public can still glean some great information about the medium from this book, but McCloud has supplanted Eisner as the popular textbook for courses on comics. ... Read more

Book Description

Maxine is a bona fide phenomenon. Her likeness graces mugs, calendars, T-shirts, collectibles, and even a 2.5-foot doll. She's been hailed by the press as the "Mother Lode of laughs" (- People magazine) and "The queen of outrageous" (- McCall's). Maxine is fresh, funny, odd, and ever-so-deliciously twisted. Maxine's creator, artist John Wagner, based part of his character's tell-it-like-it-is persona on his grandmother, mother, and maiden aunts. "She's been a voice for a silent group of women that are glad that this cranky old woman is finally saying what she wants."

The voice of Maxine comes out as: "My soul's had enough chicken soup. It wants some chocolate." "My idea of feng shui is to have them arrange the pepperoni in a circle on my pizza." "I may be old, but people who look like me always win the lottery." MAXINE: YELLING IT LIKE IT IS includes all-new, never-before-published material, all in full-color. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Maxine Yelling It Like It Is
I picked this book up off of the grocery store shelf and started reading it. I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. I looked up to see I was entertaining other shoppers. I am buying this book for my cousin who has just started chemo therapy. I believe laughter is the Best Medicine and Maxine sure Yells out the laughs.

Maxine has the right answers
My review is that this book is funny and so truthful you laugh your socks off when reading it. This is one book that can instantly get you from a down mood to one happy person. The pictures in the book add just the right touch to the wording stated. A must book for someone with a great sense of humor. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Fritz the Cat romped his way right into icon status by indulging in the drugs and free love of the 1960s. It was through Fritz that legendary cartoonist R. Crumb delivered most of his satirical commentary on that tumultuous decade.The Life and Death of Fritz the Cat chronicles Fritz's adventures from his early days as an idealistic college student to the bitter end, where the burned-out boozing and womanizing Fritz sees his stardom fizzle. This comprehensive collecti-on of Fritz comics is a fun record of a provocative period in American social history. ... Read more

Book Description

Dark Horse is tempted to call Little Lulu the "comeback comic" of the year, but truth be told, Lulu's been a treasured part of the entertainment canon for years! Dark Horse Books is proudly presenting the complete library of classic Marge's Little Lulu comics in a reader-friendly series of affordable paperback volumes. A rascally but good-hearted seven-year-old with an endless supply of sass, oodles of smarts, and a wild imagination, Lulu is truly one of a kind. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Read with Printing Errors
I love having the chance to read this material in a new package. It's clever, funny, and well cartooned. Unfortunately, in this volume, two of the stories later in the book have pages printed out of order. Otherwise, I'd give it five stars. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Simply The Best
Great comic book. Easily one of the best strips in the paper today. Its kind of like looking at what happened to all of those characters in Bambi after they grew up and reality hit 'em! This is up there with Get Fuzzy, Far Side, and even Peanuts. Over The Hedge is hilarious and will be around for a long long time...LONG LIVE TWINKIE FISHING!

Welcome to an animal world beyond Pogo!
This is the very beginning of a very amusing saga involving funny animals - a welcome combination of "Calvin and Hobbes", "The Bloom County", and "Pogo", which are all now gone forever from the funny pages. In this zany comic strip, the follies of human nature are slyly observed through the bright eyes of a know-it-all turtle and an arrogant raccoon with his unquenchable thirst for chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate! Though this book may not be recommanded for anyone who don't have time for so many words, there are still fans out there who would love to read such witty dialouge from this silly pair of surburban slinkers!

Good fun
"Over the Hedge" is an appealing enough strip, revelling in the consumer culture of which we are all victims, "guzzling Mrs. Butterworth's." America is a sick place, and the joke's on us, not on the critters that arise from our senseless lifestyles.

Genesis of a Classic
Some of you out there, like me, may not have been blessed to watch the birth of Over the Hedge and see the early development of RJ and Verne. That's what makes this collection so wonderful...see the early, scrawny RJ and his graceful transformation into the loveable glutton we know today. Check out the size of Verne's head in the early strips. Yet throughout, RJ and Verne have always served as a source of biting (though never rabid) social commentary. ... Read more

Book Description

It's the swinging 80's period of Crumb's career now featured in the multiple award-winning Complete Crumb Comics series.The mid-1980s period of Crumb's career is compiled in this 15th volume of the series, a period that many critics consider to be the richest of Crumb's career.Anchored by Crumb's contributions to the seminal anthology Weirdo, created and edited by Crumb, this volume includes the first several appearances of classic Crumb character Mode-O-Day, the networking fashion plate that serves as a foil for some of Crumb's most biting satire about America's cultural elite.Also included are Crumb's first collaborations with the late writer Charles Bukowski, as well as several collaborations with Harvey Pekar from his autobiographical series American Splendor. The book is rounded out with a color section that includes rare album art for various jazz and blues greats, as well reproductions of his various comic book covers from this period. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Social commentary and raunchy behavior
Fans of Crumb's biting comics of social commentary and raunchy behavior will find this set of comics continues the chronological series covering his complete work. Here Mode O'Day and Her Pals are the feature, covering his cartoons from 1983-85. A centerfold of fine color images provides lively full-page panels; most of the presentation is in classic black and white. ... Read more

Book Description

The multiple Harvey and Eisner Awards series collecting one of America's true national treasures, Krazy Kat.

This is the fifth in a series reprinting George Herriman's early 20th Century comic strip masterpiece. Most of these strips have not seen print since originally running in Hearst newspapers over 70 years ago. Each volume is edited by the San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum's Bill Blackbeard. Krazy & Ignatz 1933-1934 will be a hot-baked brickbat of a volume, adance with nearly two full years of the Sunday Krazy Kat (Herriman did not use color until 1935), snug between multiple pages of Herriman extras, not the least of which include an introduction by Blackbeard, a new "Debaffler" page, and a stunning layout front and back and throughout by the inimitable Chris Ware!

Krazy Kat is a love story, focusing on the relationships of its three main characters. Krazy Kat adored Ignatz Mouse. Ignatz Mouse just tolerated Krazy Kat, except for recurrent onsets of targeting tumescence, which found expression in the fast delivery of bricks to Krazy's cranium. Offisa Pup loved Krazy and sought to protect "her" (Herriman always maintained that Krazy was gender-less) by throwing Ignatz in jail. Each of the characters was ignorant of the others' true motivations, and this simple structure allowed Herriman to build entire worlds of meaning into the actions, building thematic depth and sweeping his readers up by the looping verbal rhythms of Krazy & Co.'s unique dialogue. ... Read more

Book Description

The 2004 presidential election was the climax of a year filled with accusations, revelations, hope, terror, and finally, triumph for the incumbent administration.In this thirty-third annual volume, leading editorial cartoonists capture this energized year, one in which even the apolitically bent found themselves unusually motivated and engaged.

Over four hundred editorial cartoons by more than 180 editorial cartoonists present a variety of viewpoints on the ever-expansive global war on terrorism, the dramatically contested presidential campaign, the goals, successes, and failures of the Bush administration, and other domestic and international crises and achievements. ... Read more

Book Description

“John is the funniest man on four wheels.” –ROBIN WILLIAMS

“Screw the critics. I love Callahan. His cartoons are like tongue-kissing your grandma. If it’s so bad, why does it feel so good?” –DAVE ATTELL, Writer and host of Comedy Central’s Insomniac with Dave Attell

From the warped mind of one of America’s most twisted cartoonists comes The Best of Callahan–a wildly satirical, wickedly funny collection of favorite cartoons, of fans and author alike. Warning: This book is not for the timid, the easily offended, the politically correct, or your grandparents. It’s for people who like their humor dark . . . about issues Mom and Dad told us were impolite to talk about in public. If you find offense, you shouldn’t have been looking! We’re not the boss of you. . . . ... Read more

Book Description

As its loyal fans will gladly tell you, Pickles has been a zinger-filled, laugh-out-loud gem since it debuted in 1990. Over the last decade, it's steadily climbed in popularity, and today appears in over 400 papers worldwide. Now Andrews McMeel Publishing is releasing its first-ever collection of the strip that Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel readers voted as their overwhelming favorite comic, spanning all sexes and age groups.Still Pickled After All These Years collects recent strips from the sweet intergenerational comic that alternates point of view between an older married couple, a 30-something married couple, and a their son. The strip centers on Earl and Opal Pickles, who have been married over 50 years but inject plenty of spunk and insight into everything they do. Whether they're taking a wry but sympathetic glance at their divorced daughter Sylvia, laughing at their faithful but feckless canine, Roscoe, marveling at their dictatorial feline, Muffin, or just commenting on the little things in life, Earl and Opal's good-natured wit and dry humor is brilliantly on target.Pickles is about growing old and keeping your sense of humor but never forgetting what it's like to be a child. The strip's inaugural AMP collection, Still Pickled After All These Years, encapsulates the importance of staying close to those who bring you the most joy and reminds everyone from teens to seniors about the incalculable value of the unconditional love of pets, family, and friends.

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Book Description

As Doonesbury shifts to a wartime footing, the strip"s major players find themselves pre-positioned for the coming cakewalk. Weekend warrior B.D. leaves the Fighting Swooshes of Walden in the care of acting Coach Boopstein, returning to the sands of Kuwait as Camp Blowback"s Public Affairs Officer. Among his charges: Roland Hedley, veteran of a grueling combat training program designed to keep media folk from getting capped. Offshore, the irrepressible Morale Officer Lieutenant. Tripler goes live ("Good MORNING, regime-changers!") to lift the shipbound spirits of his pre-swarthy charges, while offstage, Viceroy-in-Waiting Duke prepares to answer empire"s call.Stateside, Mike takes up a flanking position on the sofa to log some serious CNN time, while the Reverend Sloan girds his loins for peace: "Look for us on TV"we"ll be a million strong." Marching to the beat of a different cause, Zonker's old surfing mentor tries to enlist Z in a desperate fight to liberate Left Coastal access. Protests Zonk, "What can I do' I am but one dude!" Meanwhile, Jeff Redfern is but one CIA intern, yet he manages to launch a Predator drone and, using basic Nintendo training, knock out an Al-Q ammo dump. Also taking a hit, Trent Lott, busted for giving props to segregation. "I was trying to say I was down with the hood!" he backpedals, realizing too late that Mr. James Crow has finally left the house.With Alex declaring eco-jihad on SUVs, and Elmont launching a daily assault on coherence as on-line blogger "Jenny McTagart, Girl Pirate," it"s hard to see a peaceful world ahead. But Jimmy Thudpucker can. Waging war on the recording industry, he and other filesharers have a vision of ultimate change de regime: "The suits die off, and Pepperland will be free again."

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Reviews (1)

Typical Tudeau
Love it or leave it. As usual Trudeau as at its best when he makes you think before you laugh. ... Read more