A silly little book from a silly little Twitter feed that I've been enjoying. It uses maps to make bad puns and/or poke fun at the way we use maps in A silly little book from a silly little Twitter feed that I've been enjoying. It uses maps to make bad puns and/or poke fun at the way we use maps in our society. I definitely recommend it if you want to have a bit of silly in your life....more
In the third collection of Spacetrawler a band of liberated eebs are running amuck, seeking revenge against the galaxy that enslaved them by torching In the third collection of Spacetrawler a band of liberated eebs are running amuck, seeking revenge against the galaxy that enslaved them by torching entire planets with their powerful telekinesis. The six humans who were instrumental in freeing the eebs are faced with the choice of hiding out or trying to stop the genocidal rampage. Of course, with these humans, neither choice will go as planned......more
In this volume, Mr. Abrams takes the unprecedented step of splitting up Riff and Torg. Riff has been transported to another dimension where he is trapIn this volume, Mr. Abrams takes the unprecedented step of splitting up Riff and Torg. Riff has been transported to another dimension where he is trapped in 4U City, a futuristic metropolis where everyone is happy. Said happiness is mandated by law and achieved by a combination of pharmaceuticals and weeding out of the sad. Riff, of course, begins to make his plans for escape. Meanwhile, back home, Torg gathers with Sasha, Bun-bun, Kiki, Sam, and Zombie Head on a Stick to work for the Minion Master. Together they work to eliminate the competing, super scientific, criminal organizations.
While I wasn't fond of the character split when the strips first came out, I do think it gave a kick in quality to the strip. The humor in the Minion Master strips evoke the spirit of the earlier strips in the series. And the unraveling plot in both storylines is enticing. I'll have to splurge on the next collection the next time I get an influx of cash. ...more
When putting Doonesbury Deluxe away, I happened to pick this one off the shelf. It's a collection of comics from the late Cornerstone magazine from abWhen putting Doonesbury Deluxe away, I happened to pick this one off the shelf. It's a collection of comics from the late Cornerstone magazine from about 1985 to 1992. The strip features Oboe, an apartment building manager, and the people in his life. Most the characters are born-again Christians with a Baptist-flavored theology, so the book is a humorous peek into the life of folks in that sub-culture at that time. (As a Lutheran, I get most of the jokes, even if they don't always hit deep.) While many aspects of the strip have become dated, the humor and stories still work and the characters are appealing. Definitely a keeper for me....more
In this collection, the Walden crowd has graduated and moved on to begin their careers. Mike and JJ relocate to New York where Mike works at an ad ageIn this collection, the Walden crowd has graduated and moved on to begin their careers. Mike and JJ relocate to New York where Mike works at an ad agency and JJ tries to make a place for herself in the NY art scene. BD and Boopsie are on the other coast, where Boopsie is an actress and spiritual channeler and BD is third string quarterback for the LA Rams. Mark is now working for National Public Radio, and Zonker enters medical school. Well, at least that's what his Uncle Duke calls it. In the background are the events of the mid-1980s: homelessness, musical artists raising funds for Africa, the Star Wars defense, Iran-Contra, and the AIDS epidemic. ...more
Okay, I've read a Ronald Reagan biography, so it's time to dig into the next Doonesbury collection on my shelf. This one covers 1980 through 1984. In Okay, I've read a Ronald Reagan biography, so it's time to dig into the next Doonesbury collection on my shelf. This one covers 1980 through 1984. In addition to the 1980 election and the first Reagan administration, the collection covers: Zonker's stint on the professional tanning circuit, Mike's campaigning for John Anderson (and meeting J.J.), Honey's testifying against the Gang of Four, Joanie and Rick's marriage and the birth of their son, Mark's father's business adventures under the Reagan administration, and Duke's problems as an ex-hostage and attempt to start a charter boat business....more
Book 18 of Sluggy Freelance. I think this one is my least favorite to date. The main storyline is pretty much just the gang sharing quarters in an apaBook 18 of Sluggy Freelance. I think this one is my least favorite to date. The main storyline is pretty much just the gang sharing quarters in an apartment with an excursion to a spirit dimension. There are plenty of interruptions: another Torg Potter parody ("The Giblets with Fiber"), Stick Figures in Space, Torg's "Gunman Stan McKurt" comics, and a variety of full page gags "from the Art Desk of Torg". (Hmmm, 'tis a very Torgy volume.) There's also a collection of Clay Yount's weekend strips. The best part, methinks, is the Years of Yarncraft story which tells of the gang's addiction to a MMORPG. It plays out with both strips within the game world and strips out in "reality". Anyway, the book has some laughs, but it definitely was not the best work Mr. Abrams has done. Still, it's worth checking out....more
This Doonesbury collection features some strips from 1975-1978. Ongoing storylines include Duke's stints as governor of American Samoa and U.S. ambassThis Doonesbury collection features some strips from 1975-1978. Ongoing storylines include Duke's stints as governor of American Samoa and U.S. ambassador to China, adoptee Kim's new life in America, bicentennial recollections of minuteman Nate Harris, Ginny's congressional campaign, as well as various jabs at the Ford and Carter administrations. Having read biographies of both Presidents in the past year, I could better appreciate the political jokes. It makes me wonder if I should move on to the next Doonesbury collection I have or wait until after I read a biography of Ronald Reagan....more
I've had this one on the shelf for a long, long time, but I haven't read it in a while. It's a collection of some of the strips from the first six yeaI've had this one on the shelf for a long, long time, but I haven't read it in a while. It's a collection of some of the strips from the first six years of the comic strip Doonesbury--1970 to 1975. It's been so long, it's kind of like I'm reading it for the first time. The first thing that struck me was echoes of Charles Schulz in the strips. If the early For Better or For Worse was Charlie Brown as an adult, these early Doonesbury strips could be Charlie Brown goes to college. But as I read further, my attention focused less on the art & the gags and more on the historical context. My knowledge of America in the 1960s and 70s has increased and I'm better equipped to appreciate the satire on changing mores, the Vietnam War, and the Nixon era than I was in my younger days. I came for the jokes but I think I'll keep it for the history....more
For the 20th Anniversary of the comic strip For Better or For Worse, Lynn Johnston put together this 213 page book that looks at the world of her striFor the 20th Anniversary of the comic strip For Better or For Worse, Lynn Johnston put together this 213 page book that looks at the world of her strip. Part of it is back story on the characters and the settings, part of it tells of the real life inspirations of the same. All of it is liberally illustrated with strips and artwork from the strip's first 20 years. It's a book only a true fan could appreciate. But the non-fan might enjoy skipping the text and just reading the comics....more
This one's a collection of comic strips that Dave Berg did for Mad magazine. As the subtitle says, it spans five decades of work. The collection is noThis one's a collection of comic strips that Dave Berg did for Mad magazine. As the subtitle says, it spans five decades of work. The collection is not complete--I only recognized one set of strips, even though I read numerous issues of Mad back in the day. But it's still worth checking out. Mr. Berg had a great talent in finding humor in everyday life....more
At this stage in the series, Drawn & Quarterly should start naming these reprints Skeezix & Walt. By 1933, the focus of Gasoline Alley had changed froAt this stage in the series, Drawn & Quarterly should start naming these reprints Skeezix & Walt. By 1933, the focus of Gasoline Alley had changed from Walt Wallet and his fellow auto aficionados to the antics of Skeezix and his pals. As such, the road trip storylines from previous years give way to tales of youthful clubs, capers, and investigations. It's still amusing and still offers a peek into another time...more
Volume 6? The book cover says volume 7. Oh, yeah, that's right. After they published volume 5 (1929-1930), Drawn & Quarterly published Walt Before SkeVolume 6? The book cover says volume 7. Oh, yeah, that's right. After they published volume 5 (1929-1930), Drawn & Quarterly published Walt Before Skeezix (1918-1920) which would bump the rest of the series up a number. Anyway, this Gasoline Alley collection has a lot of strips dedicated to Skeezix and his gang, the Alley Rangers from their fad of collecting postmarks through encounters with a couple of neighborhood bullies to a member of the unemployed taking up residence in their clubhouse. There's also a couple of road trips in 1932, the second weaved together with a biography of George Washington. In the background, cousin Lora is courted by a couple of gentlemen, much to the concern of Walt....more
Volume five of the Gasoline Alley collection continues the shenanigans. The spirit of the times is reflected as the stock market craze hits the Alley Volume five of the Gasoline Alley collection continues the shenanigans. The spirit of the times is reflected as the stock market craze hits the Alley denizens. Skeezix is mostly unaware of a large inheritance he has tied up in legal wranglings. Instead he's more concerned about playing with his friends, forming the "Alley Rangers". The adult Alley gang continues to take road trips as neighbor Avery converts his tin lizzie into a mobile home. Walt, meanwhile, takes little jaunts out to the farm, and down to Florida and, later, Brazil...more
This fourth volume in the series continues to chronicle the antics of Walt Wallet, his family, and the neighbors of Gasoline Alley. Well, the neighborThis fourth volume in the series continues to chronicle the antics of Walt Wallet, his family, and the neighbors of Gasoline Alley. Well, the neighbors provide less antics as the storylines focus more on the growing Wallet family. Probably the longest tale running through these years details yet another attempt to take Skeezix away from Walt. I think if all of these happened to someone in real life, they'd need therapy. Fortunately, in the comics we can have some drama with a happy ending all but guaranteed....more
As I set out to write this review, I discovered that I've never written up my thoughts on the first two volumes of the series. My bad. Overall, I've bAs I set out to write this review, I discovered that I've never written up my thoughts on the first two volumes of the series. My bad. Overall, I've been enjoying these collections of the earliest Gasoline Alley comic strips. Not only are the comics amusing, but they offer a glimpse of another world--mid-America in the 1920s.* The picture is enhanced by the extensive articles and notes added by the publishers at Drawn & Quarterly Books.
The strips from 1925 & 1926 focus more on the romance between Walt & Phyllis Blossom and less on Skeezix's shenanigans. They illustrate a culture with strict gender roles and social mores. I'm assuming they've been exaggerated a bit to draw out the storyline and work in a few gags. There also seems to be more travelling involved in this volume than in the previous ones. If I were inclined to count them, I think its possible that more of the strips are set "on the road" than in Gasoline Alley. Makes me wonder how the characters can afford such a lifestyle. But that's taking the book way too seriously. I'd much rather move on to the next volume. ________ *Note: That world is a far from perfect world. The racial stereotypes in the art are painful. The writing is a bit better, though still reflects the biases of the time. Read at your own risk....more
Book 17 of the Sluggy Freelance collection. The bulk of this collection deals with Torg and Aylee's jaunt in another dimension where the earth has beeBook 17 of the Sluggy Freelance collection. The bulk of this collection deals with Torg and Aylee's jaunt in another dimension where the earth has been taken over by hordes of ghouls. There's also strips dealing with zombies on this earth, as well as developments in the evil HeretiCorp. This collection's not as laugh-out-loud-funny as some of the previous books, but it's still good stuff....more
Moonshot is a collection of comic book art & stories by Native American creators. The works range from an excerpt from a mainstream superhero comic toMoonshot is a collection of comic book art & stories by Native American creators. The works range from an excerpt from a mainstream superhero comic to ancient American stories. The settings also run the gamut of past, present, and future. The common threads that bind them together is the cultural sensibilities and the excellent art and storytelling. Either is a good enough reason to buy this book and put it on your shelf....more
One of the best ways to learn about history is by reading a first person account. Another good way is to read a biography. So an autobiography, therefOne of the best ways to learn about history is by reading a first person account. Another good way is to read a biography. So an autobiography, therefore, would be a good choice if you wanted to learn about a particular stretch of time. Or so goes my opinion. Now if you had asked my opinion on what you should read to learn about the Japanese Internement during World War II, I would have immediately recommended Nisei Daughter by Monica Sone. Well, until I read this book. Now I'd have to think a moment first.
They Called Us Enemy is a graphic novel telling George Takei's experiences of being interned during the war. In it he not only details his childhood thoughts and feelings of the time, but also the thoughts and feelings of his family and neighbors that he didn't understand at the time. He also mentions some of his post-war experiences and the scars the internment left on his family. The delightful artwork of Harmony Becker adds to the storytelling, conveying the emotions of the tale to a deeper extent than simple text could do.
So now what book would I recommend to someone looking to learn about the Japanese Internement? Well, I'd honestly recommend both. If you limited me to one, I suppose I'd lean toward this one, and hope it would influence you to read the other....more
This ones a collection of cartoons featuring the grey aliens. The schtick is that the aliens are living typical American lives and talking about them This ones a collection of cartoons featuring the grey aliens. The schtick is that the aliens are living typical American lives and talking about them with descriptive phrases instead of the typical words. For example, the Sun is referred to as "the Star" and people are routinely called "beings". The strips are amusing and the art is cute. I don't know why I like them so much--maybe it's a break from more cynical or sarcastic humor. Whatever the reason, it's on my shelf....more
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