Comics Books

It may seem "Furry" but its a well composed literation of society>
The Blacksad comics have wonderful art design to them and a well developed story and well composed characters. I know some people cringe at the thought of "furries" but this doesn't really go there, it touches on society issues using anthromorphic characters as archetypes and stylization. Especially in this volume where the artic animals have organized a KKK-like organization.

"Arctic Nation" is the second of the Blacksad graphic novels. (And, disappointingly, the only one still in print in English; due to publisher issues, the first is out of print and the third was never finished). Blacksad is a detective in a world of anthropomorphized animals - he's a black cat with white around his muzzle.

The art is frankly amazing - Guarnido is a great artist, and he flexes his muscles here. The anthropomorphic characters are drawn in a realistic style that works perfectly, and the book is worth buying for the art alone. The story itself is a Noir one, set in a decaying neighborhood being taken over by racist thugs; fur color is used as the dividing line, while species is usually used as a shorthand to help define the characters.

The translated dialogue is fine; while nothing special, it matches the noir mood and isn't clunky or wooden. The main problem with the book is the pacing - it's too fast. The book is only 56 pages, and they cover a lot of ground. The art is obviously time-intensive given it's quality, but it still would have been better to have a little more breathing room in the book. The storyline and characters are good and have hints of depth, but never have time to reach the level of the astounding art.

"Arctic Nation" is a great book; I just wish it was longer.

This is a masterpiece. The illustration is unparralleled and the story is a thriller. Have read many graphic novels and seen many illustrators but there is nothing like this out there. Too bad it is so hard to come across, US publisher went bankrupt, perhaps can be found on international sites (French, spanish, German). Buy this book and see for yourself, you won't be able to look away.

I went to art school, and one of my teachers introduced me to this artist. If an art teacher is showing you something, you tend to pay attention, especially if it has an excellent storyline as well. Its not meant for kids, but it does have sort of a film-noir-esque feel to it. Its not so much animals acting out people roles in a detective story as much as it is people who just happen to look like animals in a detective story. Not one of the people i showed it to could give it a poor review. So its worth it.

I found this book at my library. I thought it was Batman on the cover at first, but a closer inspection revealed it to be a cat. I checked it out that very day, and spent all night reading it again...and again...and again.
All I can say is "WOW!" Mr. Canales's story is so engrossing, and Mr. Guarinido's pictures are wonderfully done. I feel a personal connection to Blacksad and his search for Natalia Wilford's killer, but mostly to Blacksad himself. When I showed it to my aunt, she said he looked like Stacy Keach. Thing is, I don't know who that is.
That aside, this is a wonderful book, and I heartily recommend it!!

I think this was my favorite volume in the series so far. The first two were fun and entertaining, but in this one the plot becomes thicker, more complicated, and we start to see glimpses of a rich backstory behind the characters Grandma Ben and Thorn. People who liked the first two books will be sure to like this one, too.

This is my 1st Graphic Novel that I have read. Jeff Smith is a great author and illustrator. The words along with the pictures tell a great story. Jeff uses many story elements in his book Eyes of the storm. His plot has several conflicts in it. He uses mainly person-against-person, with it being the Bone cousins and village people against the rat creatures. Jeff Smith uses flashbacks and foreshadowing in dreams to let Thorn know what her past was like. He uses cliff hangers to make the story more suspenseful. Amongst all of this, Jeff Smith knows how to lighten the atmosphere by putting humor in the right places. This book kept me wanting more. I can't wait to get a hold of the next volume. This will not be my last graphic novel that I read.

The Bone books are the gratest comics I have Ever read

check em' out ;)

This book I just read is about a boy named Bone. Bone's friend started a cow race, and convinced everyone to bet on a cow that didn't even exist. So now they have to wash dishes at a bar to pay back what they destroyed. They have weird dreams about their past. So they spend days trying to figure out what their dreams were about. There are furry creatures in the woods trying to kill them.
Bone was the main character in the story he is the coolest and funniest in the book. There grandma reminds me of my grandma from when I was 3. She told me that there as no such thing as ghosts. I figured out that there was such thing as ghosts when I was 5. My favorite part in the story is when Bone realized that their dreams where real. If you like comic books then you will like the Bone series. This book was made to be read by kids 11 and older.

These books are fantastic! I have two 7yr old boys that cry if I don't read this book to them at night.

Parents:
Imagine using, I won't read to you tonight if you don't stop right now, and it works...that's how good this series is. At first I thought the book might be a little too scary for them but they were hooked and it wasn't until book 4 that I had to consider sensoring some of the language (things like "idiot"). Any book that brings kids back to the well again and again is worth purchasing.

This product was received in a timely manner and in excellent shape. Was very satisfied.

My son fell in love with this books. Its a good way of having him improve his reading skill...

Book 6 of Jeff Smith's graphic novel Bone series, Bone: Old Man's Cave features a showdown between the Hooded One and the valley folk - and Bone and Phoney Bone at the center of controversy. A secret sacrificial moonlight ceremony threatens them in another fine Bone presentation.

I can see why Bone is so popular! This volume is truly a great continuation of the series. The plot continues to become more complicated and intriguing, and the characters are still as likeable and endearing as ever. I can't wait to read the next volume!

I'm a fanatic of bone products, so i think they are the most wonderful things i have ever bought.

For a die-hard Peanuts fan, this series is a must-have!

This series is going to be a regular drain on my bank balance for the coming decade, as that is how long it is going to take Fantagraphics to finish publishing this collection, if they stick to their published schedule.

Be warned: The Sunday strips are not in colour unlike the Calvin & Hobbes and the Farside collection in which even the black and white strips are printed on colour pages. This quite pisses me off...

Finally, a Peanuts collection in chronological order and nothing left out. It's going to be a long wait indeed...

I've always thought of creating a bookshelf of hard cover with all my favourite comic strips, when I could afford them... Calvin & Hobbes, Farside, Tintin, Asterix & of course Peanuts.

I have the first two, and I'm on my way with Peanuts... It's going to be a long and interesting 11 years...

There was a time when the newspaper comic strip was HUGE. In the early 1900s, the success of a newspaper was in part due to the comics it featured. That era has long since disappeared, and it often seems that the comic strip is a neglected relic. There are still some good comics out there, but they are getting rarer and the newspapers treat them with less and less respect, cramming many onto a single page that used to hold just a few.

Where does Peanuts fit into all this? Well, it is the most popular comic strip of all time. Does any other strip have anything close to its legacy of movies, TV shows, plays, books and merchandise? And happily, it is deserving of its success; it is arguably the best comic strip ever, and certainly one of the top ten or so. As a result, it is not hard to see why the newspapers continue to publish old strips years after its creator, Charles Schulz had died. They don't stop printing it or allow another artist to take it over. The comic strips overall are a pale shadow of what they once were, so repeats of Peanuts can prosper because nothing new can replace them.

Volume 4 of the Complete Peanuts is where the characters are really beginning to show their full development. We have Lucy, the champion fussbudget and Linus, her philosophical brother with a dependence on his security blanket. Schroeder is the budding musical genius. Patty, Violet and Shermy are mostly supporting characters at this point; they will be eventually replaced by other characters (but not in this volume).

The two key roles, however, are those of Charlie Brown and Snoopy. Snoopy is up to his usual antics, pretending to be a vulture, grabbing at Linus's blanket and relaxing in his water bowl. He also starts his practice of lying on top of his dog house, although his first attempts are not all that successful. Charlie Brown is, well, Charlie Brown, the ultimate loser who the Fates themselves conspire against. Kites won't fly for him, pens constantly smear and if, by some remote chance, his baseball team is doing okay, they heavens themselves will open up and rain out the game. His "friends" are often cruel to him (with the exception of the benevolent Linus and the aloof Schroeder). In a way, the main theme of Peanuts is defined in the very first strip (in volume 1) when Shermy says, "Good old Charlie Brown...How I hate him." This seems to be the way the whole world thinks of this hapless character.

Peanuts may seem to some to be just an overrated strip, but I don't think that's so. It may be overly merchandised, but the comic itself is a cornerstone of the genre and one of the most influential strips out there. This volume again shows why Peanuts is one of the all-time greats.

Here the Peanuts gang becomes familiar, as they start hitting the usual topics that would develop and blossom over the years. Every one of the main characters has secured their place, and Snoopy starts his development into the multi-faceted character we know and love.

Probably the best thing about the book is that we watch Charles M. Schultz modify and mollify his characters. In 1957, quite a few of the Sunday cartoons show Lucy becoming too much the bully, abusing her younger brother viciously without cause and causing no end of pain to Charlie Brown. During 1958, Lucy develops a vulnerability and Linus becomes more an actor, sometimes getting back at his sister and sometimes causing his sister's temper tantrum (it's easier watching her blow up when she has a cause). Schultz could have blown things with Lucy, but with a few modifications between her and Linus, a balance is made that makes things more interesting.

Now, here's to next April, and 1959-1960.

Everyone's favorite beagle comes into his own in this fourth volume of the best-selling COMPLETE PEANUTS series. Snoopy covets Linus's security blanket, indulges in imitations and impressions,joins the baseball team and, toward the end of the book, he even--an epochal development!--starts sleeping on the roof of his doghouse.

Of course, fans of Schroeder, Lucy, Linus, Patty, Pig-Pen, Shermy, Violet, and Charlie Brown will also find plenty of hilarious strips to enjoy as well including several hundred that have never seen print in book form before today.

Though it may look like your average children's book do not be fooled- these are some of Edgar Allan Poe's finest (darkest) short stories brought to life by Gris Grimly's beautiful illustrations. I purchased this book as an introduction to Poe for my 13 year old goth nephew and he adores it.

This is a must have for any Poe fan!
You may already own the stories here, but it's worth it for the art alone. The classic stories combined with Gris Girmly's artwork are truly amazing.
There was one particular image I recall from reading The Fall of the House of Usher that was such a loving tribute to Vincent Price it really moved me. In fact, I ended up writing Mr Grimly an email to tell him how much I appreciated his work and to ask about the possibilty of a companion book which he hinted was in the works. You can tell he is also a fan of the material.

Gently abridged seems to be the phrase of choice associated with this book...and it is an apt choice indeed. In this volume we have four classic Poe tales "gently abridged" for readers 12 and up. The age range shown on Amazon is 9-12 and while some 9 year olds might "get" these stories, they will probably be best appreciated by slightly older readers as there is a lot of subtlety to the work. Gus Grimly's magnificently macabre illustrations help bring the text to life and help draw the reader into the story. The four stories covered here are: The Black Cat, The Masque of the Red Death, Hop-Frog and the Fall of the House of Usher. This volume would make a fine introduction to Edgar Allan Poe's work for young readers and would certainly be welcome as a collectable item for those who love picture books and/or are fans of Poe's work already. Grimly's illustrated version is almost manga like but still retains the readability of a regular book...so really the best of both worlds and a format that young readers are likely to identify with and enjoy. I give it 5 stars and two thumbs up. A great introduction to Poe for young readers and a fun read for those of us who simply enjoy Poe's work and like illustrated versions of classic texts.

I purchased this book along with several others along the same vane for my Grand Daughters. age 2 and 4 to eventually enjoy as I know they will. I am their Gran Pa and are really looking forward to reading it to them when they are old enough. Great illustrations which go great with a twist of the tale....

You've never seen Poe like this before, the nighmare world he creates in his ingenious horror stories comes to life with madly grinning figures trapped in a landscape of sweltering oatmeal colored skies and stark, grasping trees. Gris Grimly breaks through the cliche of Poe illustrations with his brilliant use of color and humor that embodies the manic glee of the doomed that characterizes Poe's most chilling tales.

This product showed up speedily and in very good condition. I am very happy with it.

I'm a big fan for Fruits Basket, the anime, but I started to read the Manga out of curiosity to continue the story and I have to admit that the Manga never failed to amazes me. This volume is so great. We see the relationship between Tohru & the others grows during the summer break, Tohru in her swimsuit, Yuki kissing her and Kyo's care and hidden love for her. It is so much fun to read.

I own this series in Japanese, and it is a wonderful read! It has all the important elements of a good shoujo manga: it is romantic, twisted, with a shoujo (in the traditional meaning of the word) involved in finding a new family and love triangles galore. It is just a very fun read, no matter the language!

the best anime i ever had try it you will never regret (:

This book and all the others totaly rock! I don't know what I would do without them!

Fungus is part of a bogeyman family. Their job is basically to be gross and go around scaring kids and all that sort of thing, slime, nastiness, saying boo, and that whole caper. What if this is your destiny and you don't want it to be? That is the issue under investigation in this amusing and clever tale by Briggs.

Wow! I got this book 20+ years ago from my older brother and loved it! I lost track of my copy and for years now I've been trying to remember what it was called...I just happened upon the dvd on netflix and there was that familiar face. I remember looking through this book over and over again and seeing something new each time. I'm pretty sure pages were falling apart and coming out of the binding I read it so much. I highly recommend this book for youngsters, and I plan on ordering copies for my neices...and probably one for myself!

Very happy with this copy....great read and goes with the other Raymond Briggs books I purchased....made a fabulous xmas present!

I've loved this book for years, and actively sought it out in my adulthood to own. The book is filled with everything from gross visual jokes and puns, to the deep philosophical questions every Bogey must have. It's ingenius and unique. Worth buying for a creative or visually stimulated child.

'Repulsive but none the less compulsive'. This classic Raymond Briggs book hasn't got a real storyline. It's more like an comic strip encyclopedia on the life of bogeymen (Fungus) and bogeywomen (wife Mildew) and their bogeychildren. The book just charts a day in the life of a bogeyman, who it seems, exists merely to torment us 'Drycleaners'. Briggs richly illustrated study of bogeydom delights in all things revolting, slimy, putrid, and lavatorial, and even raises deep questions on the meaning of Bogeydom life. The book is filled with visual and literary gags, e.g. hidden on Mildrew's bathroom shelf there's 'FemStench' perfume which is real Eau de Toilete (toilet water), plus you finally find out what Great Aunt Ada Doom of Cold Comfort Farm really saw in the woodshed as a child (and it was something nasty). This book would be of interest to any kid over 8, boys might go for it at an earlier age than girls - although be warned it's not suitable for sensitive parents. It's ideal for teenagers and young adults, who will appreciated the sophisticated humour more. So if you ever wondered what makes the bogeyman hiding under your bed tick, get this superbly illustrated and funny book.

All this book is, is a collection of the daily comic from the last book with very little new material. I don't think they've created any new material for this strip sense Liz and John ended up together.

This is a great book. I hope Jim Davis makes a 50th.

Other than now being in full color instead of black and white, Garfield hasn't changed much over the years. He still picks on Jon and Odie, sleeps all the time, loves food, and can't help being nasty, incorrigible, and hopelessly loveable. This book is a thick, beautiful, and easily readable tome to everybody's favorite cat.

Highly recommended.

I have been reading Garfield books for a long time now, and I have wathched him evolve in his animation and personality. He is truly still just as funny as he was when he first started. He has made us laugh through all these years, and is still making books. The book was truly classic Garfield. I hope Jim Davis makes a 50th.

Okay, there's not many days left until Xmas but let me assure you that this Garfield book makes an excellent last-minute gift. Everyone I know loves Garfield and would be thrilled at getting a book like this.

It's rather thick and taller than usual. Plus it's in full color. As long as I can remember I've loved reading Garfield, even when I was a little kid reading the black and white pocket books. So kids will appreciate this too. Trust me.

It opens with 'Garfield's code of Nevers', such as 'Never Eat the Mystery Meat. And ends with 'Garfield's Top Ten Suggestions for New Athletic Events, such as 'The Fridge Lift' and 'Eat till you Explode'. Crammed inbetween are hundreds of hilarious comic strips. Plus there is information on the last page on how to join the Garfield fan club. And why not?

I love Get Fuzzy cartoons and I absolutely can't live without the 365 days a year calendar. Each day depicts another glimpse into the lives of Satchel and Bucky which in some small way always reminds me of my 3 Girls (Suzie, Trixie and Gracie). We can't help but relate to the lives of Bucky and Satchel since they always seem to hit upon something that happens in our own lives.

Keep up the good work.

Thank you, Pattie K

Get Fuzzy is something that can always be counted on to make me laugh. Sometimes out loud. Other times it just makes me grin. No matter what it always lifts my mood. Getting a new strip everyday is even better so the day to day calender is great. It is also nice that the strips are run in order so the small stories in the strip do not get messed up and are all the more funny when they are linked together the right way.

I am a tremendous lover of Bucky Katt. It is wonderful to have a Get Fuzzy comic to wake up to every day. I highly recommend buying this page-a-day calendar so that you can get that humorous lift to start your day.

A constant - as time itself ... every day Rob, Sachel and Bucky cat deliver something that helps the days beginnings.... its addictive as coffee and a donut ... but more healthy...

Darby Conley must be an animal lover, or has grown up with cats & dogs all his life. His 'animal' wit is astounding. Satchel is simply lovable Bucky Cat is, well, as sarcastic as a cat can be. If you want to have a LOL day, every day, this is a must for any desk top.

.....its because you never heard of Lynda Barry......if you grew up in the 60's and/or were on the wrong side of the tracks and/or were not of the popular crowd OR knew anybody of the above-described groups, you will enjoy this book (and her others). They really bring forth memories and emotion....catharis, baby!

Linda Barry nails tweener angst. And her drawings are so different from anyone else's, they're mesmerizing.

I read the "Marlys" comicstrip back when it appeared in DC's City Paper. Marlys, her friends, her mother are drawn in gorgeous and grotesque panel-cartoon style. Barry's characters are bizarre yet familiar. The angst is universal. Think Gidget on acid: a super gift book to delight a funky friend.

If your a long time fan or have never heard of Lynda Berry this is a book you must own. For the first timer the drawings might seem alittle rough,(but you get past that real quick and realize its perfect)just like the stories about Marlys. I love Lynda Berry and her work. Iv followed the stories of Marlys since the early 80's. I can so relate to Marlys and her environment and I think many others will too. Im not a writer just a huge fan so I hope you all will give it a peek and find out for yourselves. Matt Groening (creator of Simpsons) says "Lynda Berry rocks".

Wow! Number one!! This book captures the feeling of childhood in an amazingly touching fashion.