Comics Books

Gary Larson has a macabre and twisted sense of humor and I commend him for it. His "The Far Side" comic strip was one of my favorites from the first time I read it until he retired the strip. This book contains the cartoons of the last six months of the strip as well as 13 additional cartoons drawn by Larson after he retired. They all have the twisted look at life that was Larson's trademark. If your funnybone is twisted into a similar contortion, then this is a book that you must read.

This book is the last six months of Far Side cartoons. Plus 13 new cartoons. They are phenomenal. And now, a moment of silence for The Far Side...

its like a drug. once you read 1 you cant stop. you got to read more and more AND MORE. till you read them all,then it starts slowly you feel unforfilled then you go in to denile"thair has to be more!!!!!!!!!!!" then anger"i need a (...) FAR SIDE BOOK!!!. then you find more and joy is restored. i just finished Winer Dog Art. now,i am in a state of peril. I NEED A (...)Far Side book. Larson RUN FOR PRESIDENT,you my not no this but you thousands of bystanderdeds who are willing to rise up and carry you to power.i know i would

This isn't Larson's best book but being his last Farside cartoon collection before retirement is a collectors piece. The 140 cartoons in the bulk part of the book contain some classics such as the Inferiority Complex Sufferers cartoon and the ACME Wingbaby cartoon. The majority are good but there are some that you can tell were being left out of earlier books due to their standard. I love the two cartoons on page 80 (the end of the general cartoon section) that tell us The Far Side cartoons were all a dream of a man and the cavemen, cows, nerdy kids all looked like members of his family. The 13 full page cartoons at the back of the book are drawn after retirement and in most cases I would say aren't up to Larson's usual brilliant standard.

There is also an Afterword by Gary Larson that tells a tale his father drew on his kitchen table about a kid in school, drawing a box that becomes a lightbulb then becomes his mum bending over. Interesting story but I would have preferred a few more cartoons.

There are better Far Side collections than this one but if you own the rest you need this to complete your collection. There are plenty of good cartoons here.

For those of you Larson~FarSiders like me, this is a must have. You need to love and see FarSide on your daily life to understand and enjoy Larson's humor. This last book has more of what we all wished he could and would continue giving us. On a scale of one to ten farsides, and compared to previous FarSide books, this one is an "8". Buy it!

These first issues of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's X-Men may not seem that great by today's standards, but taking into account that this was 40 years ago and Stan and Jack started an experimental new line of comics focusing on human drama as much as superheroics, it must be said that they were brilliant for their time. The stories are pretty basic and center around the X-Men's training under the tutelage of Professor X as well as their repeated encounters with Magneto, but the characters these tales introduce is what makes this Masterworks volume a real treat. The Vanisher, The Blob, Mastermind, The Toad, Scarlet Witch, Unus and Quicksilver all make appearances, and boy is it worth it! The battles are well drawn by Kirby, and the humor is there as well, making every panel an exhilirating read. Within a few short issues we can already see most of the characters developing into individuals with personalities, flaws and desires. How they interact with each other is also skillfully handled, and this above all makes X-Men masterworks a fine addition to any X-phile's library.

Although it was self-proclaimed before the X-Men were first published, for me the Marvel Age didn't get started until Chic Stone, Vince Colletta and Joe Sinnott arrived on the scene to ink Kirby's art. As a kid I used to read my older brother's early issues of FF, Spider-Man, Thor, even the Avengers but I didn't start actually buying the things until I saw how Chic Stone transformed the art. I could tell something was different immediately. At first I thought it was Kirby just getting better (which he was), but then I started noticing who was inking the comics. It was like a light switch had been thrown--the art work seemed electrified. It's interesting to see the transition from previous inkers to Chic Stone in this series of early X-Men. I consider him the first "Marvel Age" inker. Later you can see how Kirby and the inkers worked together to put together a product that I have yet to like better. The team of Stan Lee, Kirby and Stone, Colletta, and Sinnott were the real superheroes to me. Their work stood head and shoulders above anything else (and still hold up pretty darn good) around, with the possible exception of Ditko...

This is great stuff! Beyond the simply drawn panels, goofy characterizations and nearly adolescent plot lines there's a real sense of marvel, excitement and virtue that's just absolutely wonderful. To my thinking this book shows the beginning of the combined creative genius of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
Over the course of these earliest issues of the "original" X-Men we see Lee's seminal themes of isolation, alienation and intolerance really beginning to take root. At the same time we witness Kirby slowly depart from traditional styles of comic book illustration and gradually come into his own-by issue #10 with the introduction of Ka-zar we see the first glimmer of Kirby's eventual brilliance.
I can't see how anyone could be disappointed with the stories collected in this book.

I expected and did find the stories to be dated having been published 40 years ago. However, I still found volume one to be a very enjoyable read. I will continue with the X-Men, there are many more volumes to go.

This X-Men Masterworks reprints Unncany X-Men #1-10! These issues were originally published in 1963. they are reprinted in a full color Hardcover format published by Marvel Comics. The Marvel Comics creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created this strange science fiction world of Mutants! The X-Men team roster consist of Cyclops,Iceman,Angel,Beast,and Marvel Girl. the X-Men's Mentor is Professor X. He trains the X-Men to use their Mutant powers for the good of Mankind. the first issue features the first appearance of the X-Men,Professor X, and the super villian Magneto! Buy this X-Men Masterworks edition. Highest possible recommendation! if you want to get Unncanny X-Men#1-10 in full color, this is the place to start! Make Mine Marvel!

...this novel is far, far superior! A truly great exploration of human loneliness and the desire for companionship. Quite funny and bizarre in parts, too.

Not being an expert on the modern American novel, I'm reluctant to state that "Midnight Cowboy" is one of the great American novels, but I will, anyway. It's vastly superior to the film, a shallow and perverse adaptation. (Please see my Amazon review.)

Herlihy's characters are so vividly realistic, and his writing so elegantly simple, that one is not immediately aware that the story is an attack on American society's grossly materialistic "values".

The ending leaves the reader hanging. Joe has decided to abandon prostitution, to find a regular job and get Ratso the treatment he needs, but before he can do any of these things, Ratso dies. Lacking another human being to help -- and thus, no unselfed purpose in life -- what will Joe do?

The implication is that Joe will fall back into a life of aimless prostitution (he's learned enough to know how to turn tricks), as he no longer has the motive -- a sincere personal relationship -- for changing. If Herlihy _wanted_ Joe to be "saved", would he not have shown it?

Herlihy might be suggesting that we are what we are, and it is almost impossible to change our values. But that is perhaps reading too much into the novel's intent. Nevertheless, this is hardly an "uplifting" story. One might even interpret it as cyncial.

However you interpret it, "Midnight Cowboy" is an exceptional novel, one of those rare books that rewards the time spent reading it. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Herlihy has brought us a classic. The American Dream and the struggle to attain it. Certainly not the happiest of storylines but well worth reading. I've yet to see the film, but if it's half as good as the book then it has to be a winner too. 100% Recommended.

I have watched the movie many times and recently, based on the reviews here, decided to read the book. While I am not a big reader of fiction, I could not put it down!!! Herlihy is one of those rare authors that can articulate the human condition in a way that resonates with everyone. I found myself reading certain paragraphs over and over because they were so beautiful. Joe is a symbol of loneliness and alienation. Emotionally stunted by a neglectful past, he becomes a full human being through a series of events that enable him to become aware of how broken he really is and what he really needs.

If you loved the movie, I highly recommend reading the book -- you will never see Joe Buck or Ratso Rizzo the same way again.

Herlihy's gift to American literature was this novel. Though the rest of his work is less remarkable, the author created a special vision of American life in Midnight Cowboy. Herlihy's reputation was founded on his ability to write about "grotesqueries" in an authentic voice, and nowhere is this talent better illustrated than in the exploits of Joe Buck and Ratso Rizzo. The novel is full of contrasting elements that go to the heart of Buck's desire to be more than he has been in his young life. His failures as a son, as a military man and as a women's man were only glossed over in the movie, but are fully explored in the book, and serve as impetus for him to continually seek what he perceives to be his destiny. Buck's transition from southwestern hayseed to knowledgeable New Yorker (with the characteristics of each location carefully explored) is painfully rendered; his ignorance of sophisticated (if not corrupt) urban behavior is contrasted against Rizzo's phenomenal knowledge of all things sleazy (though Rizzo maintains a kind of corrupt righteousness in his appraisal of his own bizarre talents). Joe Buck moves from the Purgatorial heat of Texas to the frozen Hell of New York City, and, with the help of the complex mentality of Rizzo, manages to find redemption in the dream of Florida sunshine. Again, this Dantesque journey of a naïve dreamer is beautifully explored in the most grotesque environments. That Joe Buck was able to carry Rizzo with him into that light of redemption is the most poignant aspect of the novel.

More awesome comics in the Life In Hell series. I love these books! I just wish I'd had them as a teenager!

Some of the best humor is based on gross exaggeration of circumstances, which is Groening's specialty. This book of cartoons stars a set of odd-looking "children" who hate school. They do everything they can to ridicule all members of the teaching staff. I am not so old that I have lost my memories of my time in the grades K through 12. These cartoons brought back memories of many of the things we used to say about our teachers. My friends and I used to draw simple and unflattering figures of our teachers and our principal in elementary school was unmarried. We often said, "Well, you can certainly tell why she is a Miss!"
One of the ways we cope with difficulties is to make jokes about it. If you had a difficult time in the early years of school, then this book will provide a lot of coping. Humor is a tonic for stress and there is plenty to drink in this book.

I've always had a love hate relationship with school. I LOVE LEARNING despite enough years of school that I should be a doctor. Groening hit the nail on the head though, that school is about everything but learning. Conformity is king. It kind of makes me sick.
I have a degree in art education, taught school for one semester. Love teaching, love the kids. Hate the system. I don't want to go to "school" the rest of my life. Ironically, I think I picked this up at the end of that semester. I just picked it up and read it from cover to cover a few years later. A wicked gift for someone in education considering a change of career...
His actual diary from elementary school should be "required reading" for anyone in education.

"School is Hell" was a very disturbing book for me to read because of "Lesson 18: The 9 Types of College Teachers." In the grand Aristotlean tradition Matt Groening has devised classification systems for types of teachers for grade school, high school and college, as well as for students at the first two levels. So, of course, I tried to figure out which category applied to me and so far I have narrowed it down to two uncomfortable possibilities. The first is "The Genius From Another Dimension," because I think the loony and entertaining advantages apply, but the warning of turning students into believers just does not apply because I do not believe in anything enough to pass it on. The second is "The Singe-Theory-To-Explain-Everything Maniac" because irony is the master trope of the reality, but I already know that parroting is not learning. Maybe there is a hole in Groening's theory, but that does not seem right since he seems to touch on every other aspect of education in this mini-jumbo compendium of hellish cartoons.

Within the pages of "School Is Hell" there are 48 cartoons from Groening's syndicated "Life in Hell" comic strip circa 1982-87. The main attraction are the 21 lessons of the "School Is Hell" educational miniseries, but there are also the eight parts of "My 5th Grade Diary" ("I decided I'll never be prez of the U.S. so I think I'll stop now"), several pages of "Parental Brain Twisters" ("What's wrong with you?"), and assorted fillers such as "Lies My Older Brother and Sister Told Me" (e.g., "The Alphabet Trick"). Not all of these are school related, but they do feature Bongo, the young rabbit with one ear who has to endure the trials and tribulations of the educational system throughout this volume. One thing that has to be said for mandatory education in this country is that everybody should be able to relate to the subject matters in "School Is Hell."

Obviously students are going to get a big kick out of "School Is Hell," because it embodies the great truth of most of Matt Groening humor, "It is funny because it is true." They will also have an easier time finding themselves in the list of 33 types of grade school students from the teacher's pet to the class clown. Teachers will also learn a thing or two from cartoons like the "Teacher's Guide to Words That Make Kids Snicker" (e.g., "Who can tell us if there are rings around Uranus?"). This is just the sort of book to students and teachers alike get through the travails of finals week. It certainly gives me a sense of nostalgia for grade school humor when being rubber was better than being glue and driving a teacher crazy was the prime directive. These cartoons are wicked bad funny.

Matt Groening is right on the money with his take on school. His sarcastic treatment of the subject is both hilarious and true. For all Simpsons fans, this book, and his other Life in Hell books are necessary reading material. While this collection of comic strips was written well before his Simpsons days, the show's humor is present over each page. You will find yourself laughing out loud constantly, and it is just as funny when you decide to read it again. If you disliked school at any point in your life, this book is for you. A brilliant, witty, and hilarious book that will be enjoyed for years. I strongly urge you to check it out.

There's a select few people who were around for the golden age of Impromanga... but from it a lot of artists exploded onto the scene. One who's talent was always apparent but never appreciated was Mal... who is finally hitting the big time with Scott Pilgrim.

Sure there's the upcoming Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead) movie adaptation in the works, but this is one of those books that doesn't need the movie deal to carry it. Fresh, innovative, addictive like pizza to a fat kid... Scott Pilgrim is on his way to conquering the world. You might want to take the time to nab the entire run, and Mal's first manga Lost at Sea, if only to rub your friends faces in their lack of coolness for not getting them first.

It is dork-tastic and kind of stupid, but if you're a gamer, or now gamers or, you know, watch tv and movies, you'll love this comic. This art is a little unrefined, but I think that was sort of the point, and the manga style is spot on for this book.

Yep. I get every comic out these days but this was the best comic I think I have ever read. I can't wait for more.

Girlfriends are evil.


Even more so if they are exes in rock bands, or other oddities. Current girlfriends that have ex-boyfriends that want to fight you are also a bit annoying.

So are teenage girls that like to go ninja on your current squeeze.

Having something to sit on at your place is also useful.

The first volume in the Scott Pilgrim series introduced us to one of the most bizarre faux-anime concepts (and casts) ever conceived. Scott Pilgrim is the ultimate slacker: he is 23 years old, is between jobs, plays in a bad band, and was, until recently, dating a high school girl. He left the 17-year-old Knives Chau for the more age-appropriate Ramona Flowers, an Amazon.ca delivery girl. However, Scott soon learned that in order to keep dating Ramona, he would have to fight and defeat her seven evil ex-boyfriends. The fight against the first boyfriend was an over-the-top awesome fest of unrivaled proportions. So the question was, "Would the second volume, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World be as good?" Yes.
Scott and Ramona (who he refers to as "Rammy" sometimes) are still getting to know each other as Scott is forced to fight Lucas Lee, Ramona's second evil ex-boyfriend, who is also a pretty-boy movie star and ex-skater. But things get more complicated when Scott's ex-girlfriend Natalie "Envy" Adams threatens to come back into the picture. Best of all, Knives engages Ramona in a fight for Scott's heart that is even better than the fight against Matthew Patel in the first volume. There are plenty of other humorous moments, especially those involving Wallace, Scott's roommate, as well as a scene that plays like a cooking show.
If you are a fan of video games, anime parody, and sweet fights, you should definitely check out Scott Pilgrim. The humor is top-notch, and the story is great.

As a person who is always on the lookout for the newest Get Fuzzy as well as looking online everyday to see the latest in the world of Bucky Katt; this is a must have book of funny comics. I would recommend this edition to anyone either just starting out on the Get Fuzzy path or for someone who has loved it since the beginning.

I laughed; I cried; I spit up my tuna! A bunch of old favorites, plus a lot that I had forgotten. Hurry and order, before Darby Conley retires, or whatever those cartoonists do when they burn out...

this book is so good that i re-read it again for old times sake! if i need a laugh or smile i just pick a randomn page and read the current comic strip. this is by far the best work of darby conley yet!

As with all previous Get Fuzzy collections, this one serves up more antics of our favorite trio .... the only thing I miss is the full color on the Sunday strips, other than that no complaints and as always, Conley delivers cutting edge wit throughout this collection. A must have for any Get fuzzy fan or anyone who is not familiar with his work I would recommend giving any in this collection a chance.

This is a typical collection of strips, but if you love "Get Fuzzy" (I do) you'll love this.

The second edition of this book was recently offered and I'm really pleased to finally get a copy. Melonpool is very rare among internet strips as it has well-developed characters with charm and personality and is well-drawn. It's been favorably compared to Calvin & Hobbes for good reason. It does help to start at the beginning (and this book starts just there) so you can get to know the circumstances the characters are living under and their basic personalities. Steve Troop deserves to be in newspapers and it's a shame that none of the syndicates have recognized his talent.

Melonpool is a great comic. It is a funny book with stories for all ages. The author does parodies on all different kinds of popular media. The chacters make for a funny story in every strip. Steve Troop,(the author) is brillant. I like this book better than Peanut , Garfield, or Calvin and Hobbs. If you buy this book, you wont regret it!

If you're a fan of comic strips, then you really should be let in on a little secret-the best comic strips today aren't in newspapers; they're online. One of the first, and greatest, online comics I read was Mayberry Melonpool. Troop's work will remind you of the heyday of most great comic strips; there is an aura of good feelings about these strips that is just infectuous, that will make you smile if you're not already aughing out loud at Steve's unabashed silliness. While this book contains a collection of great comics, by far the best part is following Steve Troops journey as his characters and strip evolve. If you enjoyed books like "Pre-History of the Far Side" or "The Essential Calvin and Hobbes," then you will want to check this tome out.

The Ultimate Melonpool is a great book about the evolution of one of todays most popular internet comic strips. Reading this book gives the reader the story behind his most popular works. His witty, timely humor is also apparent in the fantastic collection of strips in this book. This book must be read by any fan of witty humor. His website is updated daily with new strips. You should expect to see Troop's strip syndicated shortly.

In a world of sub par performances, it's nice every once in a while to see an instant classic like the Melonpool saga. This book is not only a superb collection of some of the best cartoon art available, it's also a glimpse into the mind of one of the world's truly misunderstood geniuses. I KNOW Steve Troop. I've broken bread with him. I've bowled with Steve Troop. I've held covoluted discussions with Steve Troop. Those of you who were never as lucky might benefit from reading this book...

Yes.
This is the ultimate guide to Zen.
TCC's great drawings and simple explanations brings you the Zen thinking to your home.

A must have for anyone interested in eastern culture.

Just getting started on your desire to understand eastern philosophies? Have you stood at the bookstore for hours pouring over where to start and what to buy?

Any of this authors books are a wonderful place to start. The reason? Because these books are all about the title subject in a nutshell, easy to read as a comic book, the story lines and illustrations are wonderful, and after you read this as well as all the other books by Tsai, you will have a great, well rounded start on your path and will know what you want to study more deeply!

To add, when others ask you about your interest in eastern philosophy, you can get them started here as well, because these books are fun, consise, and you know they will enjoy them over and over again!

This book exists to make Zen more accessible to the general public. For those people that practice Zen, the essence of Zen can only be felt or only be understood but not through words or pictures. As one teaching of Zen would have it, you would appreciate how beautiful the moon is rather than the finger that points you to that moon. I have to admit that this book manages to clarify certain teachings that are also mentioned in other Zen books. I'm not saying that this comic book provides me with the absolute truth about certain Zen sayings but it does provide me with an insight. Everyone has their own ways of getting to the original thinking & if this book cuts the cake, so be it. If we think that this is merely a comic book, then, it is a delusion! Remember, don't judge a book by its cover. This book is profoundly serious. Highly recommended, light-hearted & enjoyable to read.

"Comics are just words and pictures. You can say anything with words and pictures." ---someone I don't recall.

This comic book contains one hundred Zen Tales (koans), and I have heard some of them before. They seem to gain something when presented in this format. The author brings out something of the shock that is enlightenment that I hadn't really felt in the stroies before. The artwork is simple, yet effective. The writing is the same. The ideas conveyed are both profound and obvious. And, of course, it is a very enjoyable read.

Hard to imagine that a cartoon could unfold the depths of Zen. Perhaps it is the fact the cartoons are brief yet encapsulate so much. Personally, I find it to be in the expressions of the characters in the drawings that tell the story. I really feel the smiles throughout the book and can almost see them winking along with that smile.

Never straying from the seriousness of Zen, this little gem really reveals the joy that lies underneath. A great way to get started; a great little reminder for those already underway.

The story is magnificent, the wide array of background characters and new characters provides a rich backdrop for the conflict, and the artwork is absolutely amazing.

A ground-breaking must-read for any fan of DC comics characters!

The hardcover Absolute Kingdom Come is one of the BEST hardcover comics I own. The story is excellent as well. If you want a comic that will boost your collection this is definitely one of the ones to choose!

A complete encyclopedia of superheroes. If you ever had a question of who came from where, this is your book. Excellent graphics. And huge!!! You absolutely get what you pay for!

Exactly what I was looking for at a great price! My husband could not get enough of it - he has read it from cover to cover!!

This book was the best gift I've ever given. I've read it before and its a must read by for any comic lover. Plus, the price is unbeatable because it normally goes for atleast $75 in any give bookstore. It came in awesome condition and very timely. A high reccomended item for any comic fan.

This volume is exceptional, just like all the other ones. A lot of mysteries are solved in this book but some other mysteries pop up too. I suggest you buy this book... you won't regret it.

this is a great kids book! very romantic and alot of koge donbo cuteness! I luv it! although, isnt it weird how karin doesnt realize kirika is evil? maybe she doesnt realize because shes failing school!
still the cutest manga ever!

I really love Kamichama Karin. I've collected the whole set. I kind of recommend older mature kids to read it, like from 12+. Let's just say that volumes 3 and 6 are kind of, ahem, ODD. I shall not tell you what oddness it is, as I do not want to be a spoiler. But overall, Kamichama Karin is a super funny story!!

OK, I love this series! Spoilers ahead! This book introduces the weirdest character in any manga I've EVER read: Micchi hate 'im. He introduces him self to the class, and on the way to his seat, hears Karin's name, gives her a kiss on the cheek. He's apparently heard of her before. Then, he hears Kazune's name and gives him a kiss on the lips (a random girl: must..e-mail..everyone!). He then starts flirting with Karin relentlessly, despite the fact that she hates it. Once, he grabs her, despite her protests, and gives Kazune a mysterious look, along the lines of "hey, look, I can hug her. Ha,ha." Could Kazune like Karin? The book ends with him pinning down Kazune, saying that he owes him a favor. Hmm... I love the romantic tension and fights!! ;P

As far as the plot goes, Kamichama Karin is a rather generic 'magical girl' story- an ordinary girl suddenly gains magic powers (wowie zowie!) and is forced to fight evil. Sound familiar?
All the characters seem, at first glance at least, to be nothing more than flat archetypes. There's the kind, sweet, motherly girl; the mean, rude, expert fighter guy; the nauseatingly 'normal' girl (the main character, of course); the dashing, polite, gorgeous male love interest; the wisecracking cute mascot. Yes, they're all here.
Not helping matters is the incredibly poor dialogue. For some reason, the translators felt obliged to pump it full of incredibly irritating slang at bizarre moments. This is especially strange-sounding when you realise that half the cast consists of wealthy kids who probably would have been brought up to be extremely polite.
However, even with all of its faults, Kamichama Karin is quite entertaining. It is genuinely funny at times (although the later volumes seem to be less so), and there really are some really heartwarming bits. And it's cute. Good grief, is it cute. I practically had a heart attack while reading the extra chapter in volume 3. Kamichama Karin was drawn by cuteness expert Koge-Donbo (of Di Gi Charat fame), and it shows.
In short, the plot is only okay, while there is some humour and general 'warm fuzzy feeling'-ness. And it's very, very, very cute.