Humor Books

This was a lot of fun for getting down into the intricacies of some of the sketches. You catch things that make you laugh at the memory of watching them.

I've seen "Monty Python's Flying Circus" so many times that I can recite long stretches of it. But those guys are always using weird accents and manic deliveries ("My neeples explode with delight!"), and sometimes they're hard to understad.

Fortunately for those times, Python fans have "The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words," a series from the second half of the classic comedy skit show. These are only trascripts (a bit lacking in details), but still enormous fun and full of delightfully quotable lines ("And now my lords, my ladies... your LUPINS!").

It opes with the weird "Conquistador Coffee" sketch, in which a boss berates his employee for changing the brand's name to Conquistador Instant Leprosy. ("The tingling fresh coffee that brings you exciting new cholera, mange, dropsy, the clap, hard pad, and athlete's foot." "It was a soft sell, sir.")

And then it contains plenty of others: the cheese shop with no cheese, films with giant teeth, spam spam spam, cannibal undertakers, Njorl's it's-not-that-terrible saga, the BBC's financial troubles, the Money Programme, the pantomime horse, hairdressers climbing Everest, the war against pornography, Gumbys, Dennis Moore, kamikaze highlanders, and the golden age of ballooning ("I am so excited I can hardly wash!").

The dialogue to each one is carefully outlined, with each character identified as being played by one of the guys (like "Interviewer (JOHN)"), although we usually don't get to hear much about Terry Gilliam's mad animations. Most of these episodes are one long continuing sketch that spills from one scenario to the next, but occasionally we'll have different ones patched together.

These guys had a rare, crazy talent -- these sketches are crammed with glorious dialogue ("Drop your panties, Sir William. I cannot wait till lunchtime") and bizarre insults ("you cloth-eared heap of anteater's catarrh"). Not much description of the action in places, although in a few we get plenty of detail when it's called for (such as the weirdness convention).

The problem is that this should only be read after you've seen the series. If you don't, it all seems like a befuddling string of of stream-of-consciousness comedy numbers, full of in-jokes and surreal twists. You have a better chance of finding Ilchester in a cheese shop than understanding this without seeing the skits first.

In case you couldn't understand what Eric Idle was bibbling in one episode, or John Cleese was screaming in another, "The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words Volume 2" will tell you what is going on. No time to lose!

This item was purchased for my daughter and she absolutely loved it. It was received in good order and in a timely manner

The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus: All the Words, Volume 2 is the second half of a set containing the scripts of the entire series (45 episodes). This book, volume 2, contains scripts for episode 24: "How not to be seen" through episode 45: "Party Political Broadcast". This book is more fun than an endless supply of "lupins". Both volumes make great companions to the MPFC video/dvd collection ("There you go, can't be bad.") and also unlike the DVDs, there are no edits, these are the original words. So that horrible "m" word that Graham said in episode 31: "The All England Summarize Proust Competition" is in this book. Enjoy!

Yours etc., Brigadier Mainwaring Smith Smith Smith etc., Deceased etc.

FYI-This is the same as the review of Volume 1. There was no real sense in distinguishing the two.

As a fan of MPFC since it first aired on PBS in 1973, these two volumes sort of put a cap on a 30 year fascination with the team. Maybe like me, you've watched every Python-Marathon or taped every show, but having these scripts really is the icing on the cake.

What's striking to me is the simplicity of the scripts. When you watch the episodes, the gags seem so complicated. Then to see The Dead Parrot sketch reduced to just a few pages, you realize how brilliant those guys were in terms of compression, and in terms of acting. An added plus, for me at least, was to finally see the words and phrases that I never quite "got" because they were unique to British English. From there, I logged on to a few websites on British slang and, boy, I realized what MPFC got away with...some of it was pretty raunchy. Anyway, this is two-volume set is priceless for any fan.

This was a prize gift for a meeting we had at the office. The receipient just loved it. Of course we all had to borrow it!

This is a very fun book to read. Many of the survival tips are common sense but just reading some of the crazy scenarios makes it a worthwhile book.

Reminds me of the "Far Side" type of humor. It's very funny but at the same time the advice given makes sense. The situations are possible but very highly unlikely, like "How to escape from a sinking car" & "How to foil a UFO Abudction". The Chapters are, Animal Encounters, Great Escapes, Illiness & Injuries, Social Disasters, Domestic Dangers, &
Out and About. Includes a few golf senarios. A searchable CD of all 11 handbooks is included.

Do you feel your child is about to go into the world without all the "necessary" skills? Do you feel your loved one isn't adequately prepared to face life's most daunting challenges? Have you ever wondered what to do if you're stuck on a raising drawbridge? Are you so paranoid that you look for an escape to every situation? If you answered yes to any and/or all of these questions, then buy this book, NOW! This is your bible to every worst-case situation that life may throw at you, and more.

But don't think this is strictly a humor book, and sure it may contain some of that, like how to escape from a costumed character/mascot, or you should escape a meeting by crawling under the table, but there's plenty of serious entries to go along. For example, if your elevator is plummeting, something I fear all the time, then you should lie flat on your stomach to distribute the force. They do go to experts for many of these entries, and although I wouldn't like to test any of them, I'm sure they're pretty useful in the situation.

It's the best-of the long-time series, sure to help with most any predicament you may find yourself in. And for further reference, this edition contains a CD with ever scenario, in full, complete with a few wallpapers and screensavers for good measure. Just be warned, every scenario is in Adobe Acrobat format, which I hate since it's such a difficult program to navigate.

Overall, you can't go wrong in giving this as a gift to somebody, whether you're giving it to them for practical or enjoyment purposes. I highly recommend it for any rainy day, paranoid people, or anybody who just ever wondered what to do if... well, you get the point.

The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook (Worst Case Scenario)

Great product! A compilation of many other gudess, plus a cd, it's a great value for the money. However, I'm going to have to get a second copy for myself; my college student son took the first one I bought.

From The Rebel Housewife to One Madcap Mom...I felt an instant kinship with Kathryn Mahoney. She writes fast-paced, clever essays on universal truths and embarrassing secrets of motherhood -- and the lady is funny. From totally relate-able riffs on Reality TV, modern-day children's birthday parties, and our eerily number-ized society to WYSIWYG Woman (which I whole-heartedly support!), CRACKED AT BIRTH offers fantastic diversion and out-loud laughs to overwhelmed Moms everywhere -- CRACKED AT BIRTH would be a great gift to those women in your life.

-- Sherri Caldwell, Humor Columnist & Reviewer,
Co-Author, The Rebel Housewife Rules: To Heck With Domestic Bliss!

Kathy was funny in high school and she has gotten funnier! She is a modern Erma Bombeck. My husband picked up the book and started chuckling as he began to read. We need to keep a sense of humor in the midst of the chaos of family life. Kathy has a knack for putting the adventures into words that we all can relate to and laugh at. A great read for Moms (and Dads too!)who are trying to maintain their sanity through the ups and downs of everyday life in the trenches.

This book is just great... true to life stories with a humorous twist! A good read when traveling for any parent!

A friend gave this to me as a "baby #3 gift". It was so nice to just sit and laugh about all the craziness of motherhood. It's nice to know I'm not alone!

Some lives were just made to be made fun of. Some lives are so wacky, so silly, so undeniably cracked up, you just can't help but chuckle. Kathryn S. Mahoney is living one of those lives.

Kathryn Mahoney, who thinks she was CRACKED AT BIRTH, takes time to sit back and good naturedly marvel at the absurdity in her life. And, like the next door neighbor who keeps us in stitches with her zany tales, Mahoney shares the absurdity with us - one laughable story at a time.

CRACKED AT BIRTH is a collection of Mahoney's essays from her humor column, "Sunny Side Up," which has been running in six newspapers published by Nashoba Publishing of Devens, MA, since 2001. In this lighthearted essay collection, Mahoney tackles such hilarities as:

*Attempting yoga with children in the house

*The feeling of being invisible

*How to make your husband leave the room

*Household mishaps

*Valentine's Day romance failures

Mahoney seems to have mastered the art of being funny without being too sarcastic. Her style is refreshing and fun, and nearly all of her essays end with a feeling that, given the choice of any other life and family on the planet, she'd still choose the life and family she has. Her essays are warm and endearing, with just enough silly thrown in to make them irresistible.

While CRACKED AT BIRTH is consistent - none of her essays are weak or boring - Mahoney's funniest work revolves around her husband and the relationship between the two of them. Far be it from Mahoney to engage in man-bashing - she'd rather lovingly poke fun at the things that make her hubby so adorably male. This slant on love, marriage, and romance is a refreshing style for all those women who adore their hubbies but sometimes just can't help but shake their heads and chuckle over something they've said or done. Mahoney should follow CRACKED AT BIRTH with another humor book ("Cracked at Marriage," perhaps?) filled with nothing but marriage and romance-related essays.

Make no mistake, however; CRACKED AT BIRTH points out the sunnier side of so much more than love and marriage. Mahoney has no qualms ribbing her kids, her mother, even herself! It is this quality that gives her work tantalizing breadth.

Good for a light read and perfect for the bookshelf of any aspiring humorist, Kathryn S. Mahoney's CRACKED AT BIRTH will tickle your funny bone and maybe even make you look at your own cracked life in a little sunnier light.

I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me. Take a look at ..... site regarding the first chapter of Crackpot. It is as wild as the book. Many of the links are gone, but many are still there. Loved this book.

First, let me say that this book should have more universal appeal than do his movies. We all know that his movies are just too gross for some people to stomach, but there's nothing here that any adult reader should find offensive. If you enjoy homorous writing, a la Woody Allen, Steve Martin, Joe Queenan, David Sedaris, etc., you should find this little volume right up your alley.

Waters displays an acerbic, eccentric, but highly insightful comic sensibility. There are fifteen short pieces here, which first appeared in various magazines during the mid '80s, primarily NATIONAL LAMPOON (When it was still funny) and AMERICAN FILM.

The book opens with a bang, in one of the funniest pieces, "John Waters tour of L.A." Needless to say, this is not the L.A Chamber of Commerce "official guide." He takes us to some of the seamier sights, including the spot on Hollywood Boulevard where you can catch "the legless, one-armed white guy who break-dances on the street for horrified families as they stroll up the Walk of Fame." He also offers some timely,timeless advice for when you're driving around L.A: "Never look at pedestrians; they're the sad faces of L.A., the ones who had their licenses revoked for driving while impaired."

There really aren't too many weak entries in the collection. He does go a bit over the top in his rhapsodizing of Pia Zadora, perhaps, in an article devoted to that queen of glitz, but one comes to expect "over the top" from Waters. Who would want it any other way? He's also very much the exaggerator when it comes to his likes, "Puff Piece (100 Things I Love)and his dislikes: "Hatchet Piece (100 Things I Hate)." Amongst the things he most admires are Supermarket Tabloids: "Then I gazed at the great LAS VEGAS SUN wire-photo of a giant ostrich, escaped from a zoo chasing a totally bewildered middle-aged woman down the street. Every time I see her horrified expression, the creative juices start to flow." Not content with this passing mention, he writes an entire article entitled WHY I LOVE THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER as a paean to that fine bastion of journalistic integrity.

Some of Waters' images do convey a bit more of the "so banal it's hysterical" quality of his movies, as when he conjures up "a fancy Santa," in a piece called WHY I LOVE CHRISTMAS.
"Why hasn't Bloomingdales or Tiffany's tried a fancy Santa? Deathly pale, this never-too-thin-or-too-rich Kris Kringle, dressed in head-to-toe unstructured, oversize Armani, could pose on a throne, bored and elegant, and every so often deign to let a rich little brat sit NEAR his lap before dismissing his wishes with a condescending 'Oh darling, you dont REALLY want that, do you?" I mean, really, wouldn't you just love to have John Waters' private phone number and be able to shoot the breeze with him about popular culture? No!! you say? Well then this book's not for you. However, if you enjoy mordant, biting wit, and a breezy, conversational style of writing, this book is definitely for you. It was sent me by a friend. I'm going to be sending a few copies out to other friends now. Who knows, maybe we could start a John Waters cult?

BEK

This collection of essays is one of the most compulsively readable, and re-readable, books I have ever owned. I was drawn to it, as you might expect, by my enjoyment of Waters' camp classics. But to be honest, I enjoy Waters the essayist at least as much, if not more, than Waters the filmmaker. Waters' films, and particularly Pecker, Serial Mom, and Hairspray, set the scene for the miscellany of obsessions which animate this book. Crackpot offers a comforting way to understand Waters' recent turn to a more conventional cinematic venue: these films are *also* celebrations of his passionate likes (and dislikes).

Waters writes a witty and acerbic prose, which conveys genuine passion for his obsessions, obsessions which include trials, the National Enquirer, Woody Allen's Interiors, dangerous candy, menthol cigarettes, and Christmas. His preferred methods seem to be the catalogue and the reminiscence: Waters' list of 101 things he hates, and 101 things he loves, are obsessive ruminations on the everyday, and Waters' methodical survey of his everyday touches gives new meaning to the sublime *and* the ridiculous. Most memorable to me, perhaps, is his LA Tour, a pre-OJ intinerary of murder, mayhem, and showbiz, and his loving tribute to the Enquirer. But his celebration of William Castle, or shame-faced coming out as a fan of avant garde, his ritualistic account of Christmas and his loving descriptions of his interests, home, and personal history all make for a case study of obsession that feels both candid and arch, in Waters' inimitable, and paradoxical way. If you read it once, you're going to read it again.

This is absolutely the funniest book that ,Baltimore Bad Boy, John Waters has ever wrote! This book made me laugh out loud several times to the point that I'm sure my significant other may have harbored thoughts about having me committed.

This is the book that piqued my intrest in John Waters over ten years ago before I could even be called a teenager.

For a man with such a reputation for being "filthy, perverse, trashy, etc., etc., etc.", this book ggives the reader a delightful gllimpse into his bouyant and often child like mind. Whether raving over meeting with Pia Zadora, listing the events of a truly hellish day, or giving a guided tour of Los Angeles as only he can, he guides the reader along in a cheerful skip, full of bounce and frolick.

Even for one who's unfamiliar with his films, this book is a light, quick read sure to entertain and provide laughs, crating a vivid and lovable image of the man known to so many as "The Prince Of Puke"

Cruise Confidential would be HIGHLY recommended to anyone who has been on a cruise or is thinking about a cruise vacation in the future.

The book goes into very revealing detail of the happenings below the water line, in the restaurants, on the decks, and warm tropical locales. Intrigue, crazy antics, misadventures, flitations, and sex are brought to life in the pages of this book. In reading this book I felt like I was actually going through the same battery of emotions the author was revealing to us. I really got caught up in so many of the situations captured in this wonderful tell all. With each turn of the page I kept on wanting more and more. I simply could not put the book down. Matter of factly, I've read the book three times over the past month. That's how good of a book Brian Bruns has written. I have a much deeper respect for the hardworking crew that slave endlessly to provide us cruise vacationers with a tip-top, rewarding, good time on the high seas.

Needless to say, I am absolutely thrilled that there is currently an upcoming sequel to Cruise Confidential in the works. I'm there with the click of my mouse to pre-order the next high seas adventure writen by Brian Bruns, as soon as Amazon starts advertising to do so. Can't wait!!!

After buying a couple of guides to finding a job on a cruise ship I stumbled across this book about a month ago here on Amazon.com I figured I could get some information about what it was like to live and work on a cruise ship. After reading the book I am not so sure I want to work on a cruise ship, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Brian's experiences during his year working for Carnival Cruises.
He is not shy about exposing the elements of cruising that you don't see in the brochure and beyond entertainment this book could have an enormous practical benefit in terms of work quality in cruising. He makes it perfectly clear that working on a cruise ship is not the same experience as taking a cruise vacation, detailing just what the crew must go through in order to provide the highest quality experience.
Brian's writing style is not only entertaining, but super-detailed and relatable. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes humor and adventure.

This book was great .I have been on 15 cruises and Im a travel agent and always wanted to know what it was like to work on a cruise ship.I could not put the book down. You will love it .I dont think I needed to know that he does not believe in God .Im not sure that help the story any but thats his story.I hope he changes his mind as he grows older.It seems like there is a lot of Sexn going on below deck .I guess thats part of it.I would have like to know how much money he made on his contract as he seems to say they pay them slave wages.But great book. It can be rated X in some spots .

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is written in a very relaxed and friendly way. The author brings you in to his world and easily shares his tales with you. From beginning to end this book will astonish you with the many details that go in to the cruising industry. You will never be able to look at having a meal on a cruise the same way again. The author does a great job of giving you a peak in to how Americans are perceived by folks from other countries...it will likely give you something to think about. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy traveling and would like a greater appreciation for those who make it great.

Cruise Confidential is a tremendously entertaining behind-the-scenes view of life at sea for cruise crew members, as told by someone who actually worked on a cruise ship. It's a humorous insider's view told in an entertaining form, and it's a must-read for anyone who's ever sailed and then wondered how does the crew live and work on a cruise ship. If you've sailed and thought about how the always-smiling crew copes with long working hours and long periods of time at sea, you will really enjoy this book. Among the things the author reveals are what happens down in the crew deck (yes, they have their own decks that the passengers never see), what their living and working conditions are like, what a typical day is like, how much time they get off, what is the relationship among crew members, how they receive their assignments and what the struggles and pressures of working on a cruise ship are.

I've taken quite a few cruises and I've always wondered what it's really like for those who keep the ship running smoothly while working seemingly endless hours and smiling the whole time. This book answered my questions. Even if you have not cruised before this is a fun book that is humorous, engaging, entertaining and reads like a novel. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down and once I was done it left me wanting more. I can't recommend this book enough. Luckily the author is writing another book, and I am eagerly awaiting it.

Upon the second reading of this book, I've found I enjoyed it just as much- if not, more. I noticed a lot more the second time. Nowadays, comic collectors will just bag up their books and never bother to read them. DON'T DO THAT TO THIS BOOK. Read it. And buy two- one to read and one to preserve...

In one of the most original evil plots of all time (a madman tries to blow up the moon!), the Feimans have outdone themselves. The distinctive, Popeye-esque artwork will keep the casual reader captivated, while the clever plot will capture even the shortest of attention spans.

Sci-fi thriller and morality play combine in this comic book that entertains all ages. It's fun for the kiddies, but intelligent enough to engage the adult reader. (Makes a GREAT Christmas gift or stocking stuffer.)

Myke Feinman's "The Crystal Skull Files" does something that hasn't been done. He takes all the excitement and adventure of the daily strips of yesterday and turns them into a full length graphic novel. No waiting until tomorrow's paper to find out how his protagonist, Terry Freedom, made it out of the latest jam. Just one long satisfying read from beginning to end. Satisfying is the word for it. Like any writer worth their salt, Myke makes you keep turning the page to find out what happens next. It's not only the writing that works it's the Segar-esque (Popeye) bigfoot style art combined with a Caniff-esque(S. Canyon) action tale. Of course, like Myke's first graphic novel with Terry "The Mask Conspiracy", "The Crystal Skull Files" is ripe with underlying themes such as freedom of speech and basic human rights. None of which is preachy but worked into the story with good results. There is also several other strips by Myke and others in the back of the book so it's definitely worth the price of admission. It's clearly worth more that a subscription to a daily paper.

I received the Crystal Skull Files through the mail, and was I pleasantly surprised!! Both it and Feinman and Company's first effort, "The Mask Conspiracy" are used as teaching tools in schools across the country. And let me just say that the people at Ink and Feathers are very friendly and very accomidating. Write them, and I'll bet you get a reply! The art-work is great, reminding me also of earlier comics. There is a message in each of the two comics from I&F, and there is nothing even slightly distasteful. Don't be afraid to let your Junior High Schooler read this. Unlike most other comics on the market today, there is nothing to be concerned about. Keep up the Good Work!

34 years of being a Cubs fan - this book made a lot of sense to me. Really well done. I devoured this book in two days. People on the train looked at me as I laughed my way through it.

If you consider yourself to be a Cubs fan, you must read this book. It is an amazing book depicting the life of a Cubs fan. It is especially good at helping all of us Cubs fans laugh at ourselves!

I first bought this book because it seemed amusing but after receiving it I discovered a well written book with great facts and anecdotes. It did make me laugh and I felt at one with the Cubs Nation. It is one of my favorite books to send to friends.The Cubs Fan's Guide to Happiness

This book is a MUST for the person interested in becoming a better Cubs fan. I work with a group of women that LOVE to go to the Cubs games. They invited me last year - I had fun, but didn't know much. I was given this book to "teach me" about the Cubs and how a Cubs fan exists. Ellis gives details about being a Cubs fan that are so helpful such as "TANY - There's Always Next Year" and "Beer Will Make it Better". The illustrations were great, and the glossary will come in handy when I go to my next game. I got a lot out of the book, but I know that even the most knowledgeable fans will find lots of new and interesting information in this extremely funny book. You won't be disappointed - it's any easy read, and entertaining. Highly recommend!

This is a delightful read for Cubs Fans. (I happen to be one living in exile in New Jersey!) It offers comfort for Cubbie fans woven with good day to day advice for living in general. I do have two beefs with the author though. A) He suggests that the Cubs are pretty much a White Collar Team. (B.S.!) and B) He winds up the book on a downer. "A Century of Losing: 100 Years 100 Frustrations". Other than that, It is a must for any Cub fan.

I got this for my fiance--she had a few of the original issues and wanted the whole set. It's a lot of fun if you don't mind the almost idiotic amount of scenes stolen directly from movies and other comics. Nothing original (except maybe in it's frenetic rush to cram every James Bond and Indiana Jones and Captain America story ever all together at once) but it certainly is entertaining. Note: Not recommended for guys with jealous girlfriends (lots of gratuitous eye candy in this thing).

But the attitude, dialog, and art in this series truly wins me over in a way that no other graphic novel has. I'll admit to not at all being a comic book junkie, but I do have a collection of close to fifty. I've never read a comic that sucked me in as fast as this one does. The vibrant coloring, extremely cliche and lame one-liners, and incredibly gorgeous women make this a very fun, very enjoyable read for any kid over 13.

I'd definitely rate the content of this book a PG-13 though, because there are a LOT of shots which show off 98% of the girl's bodies. Truth be told, those shots weren't really necessary for me because I enjoyed it for the action and humor, but I suppose there had to be a draw for the average, acne-ridden, comic book reading teenager that they wouldn't get from other comic books. And Abbey and the girls definitely do not disappoint in this area.

As a fan of a like-minded TV show called She Spies, I love this comic and would recommend it to anyone I know to be a fan of light fun reading. The action and humor is none-stop in this book. The only thing I didn't really like was the sub-plot involving "mysterious" male character "Zero". He really WAS a "zero" in my book as I couldn't bring myself to give a crap about him.

Anyway, if you ask me, this series is begging to be turned into a summer blockbuster film and I've actually begun writing a script for it. Probably doesn't mean squat since I'm not at all affiliated with hollywood, but the fact remains that I'd really like to see this series get the big-screen treatment.

To me, this graphic novel perfectly embodies what comics are meant to do. It pulls the viewer into a whole other world for the span of about an hour.

What's included:

Introduction by "Evil Dead" Star Bruce Campbell
Introduction by Danger Girl Creator/Artist J. Scott Campbell
Danger Girl Preview
Danger Girl 1-7
Cover Gallery containing all regular and variant covers
5 Page Danger Girl Sketchbook

Danger Girl is a wonderful world of action and adventure told through beautiful artwork and a story that is just plain fun. It follows adventurer Abby Chase as she is recruited into the female secret agent team known as Team Danger Girl in their attempts to stop an evil terrorist threat to the world from a neo-fascist organization called The Hammer Empire. This trade collects the first and really only good Danger Girl story as most of the one-shots that followed where done by different artists and were not up to par.

Like all the Image books of the 90's, most people paid attention to Danger Girl because of J. Scott Campbell's artwork as he was already famous from the comic Gen 13. But unlike previous Image comics that relied on art, Danger Girl and the other Cliffhanger Comics, Battle Chasers and Crimson, actually had a story that was bearable to read.

Danger Girl is heavily influenced by Campbell's love for the movies, and fortunately his love for downright entertaining movies such as Indiana Jones and Back to the Future. While the story resembles Charlie's Angels, True Lies, or a James Bond film more, it holds the feel of all those entertaining and fun adventure and spy movies by not taking itself too seriously.

A particularly enjoyable element to the comic is the "Previously in the pages of Danger Girl" page that begins each issue of Danger Girl. In just one page, the creators recap the last issue, throw in some funny captions, and always use a "cliffhanger" by warning of our heroes' "apparent DOOM!" These recaps have the campy feel of old TV shows like Bullwinkle and the Adam West Batman when they would preview the next episode.

What adds to the story-telling is Campbell's artistic style that is influenced by animation which gives the characters movement and expression rather than just magazine poses. Campbell also uses many widescreen panels along with well-timed close ups to show that he really had the cinematography of the story in mind when creating Danger Girl to make it feel like an action movie.

The weakest part of Danger Girl: The Ultimate Collection is the 5 page sketchbook in the back. It is interesting to see some inner-workings of Campbell's art, but it is not nearly enough for fans of his work. These sketches and many others can be found in "J. Scott Campbell's Danger Girl Sketchbook."

All in all, Danger Girl is a fun comic that strays away from the superhero theme and actually puts a little comedy into a "comic" book. The art is great and the story is entertaining. Take Danger Girl for what it is and don't take it too serious because it doesn't take itself that serious.

The tone of Danger Girl falls somewhere between a wry pastiche and loving celebration of all things 'spy' - at once ultra-cool, and uber-camp, spectacular and cliche, tantalisingly sexy and good clean fun. The stylised, gorgeously colorful pages positively ooze action, and the cinamatic layout draws you the delightfully exciting and improbable world of Abbey Chase, renowned explorer and rogue. Like any Bond film worth it's salt, the plot kicks off with a (literally) explosive opening sequence in which Abbey, with Indiana Jones' determination (and Lara Croft's bosom) chases down a lost artifact and is introduced to covert crime-busting team, the Danger Girls - fronted by the mysterious 'Deuce' (a witty and adroit caricature of Sean Connery).

It seems as if every page that follows is riddled with references to other spy and action thrillers, from shiny gadgets to pithy one-liners (usually delivered mid-battle, or following a sticky demise) and constantly treads the line between gentle ribbing and heartfelt admiration - it seems pretty clear that this is the world that J. Scott Campbell would inhabit if he could (probably with his own island fortress and buxom bodyguards). Its hard not to grin at the pure exhilarating pace, peppered with set pieces that would honor any summer blockbuster, and I frequently chuckled with delight at the plot-refreshers between each chapter (in my head they were narrated by James Earl Jones, and prefixed with 'Previously, on DAAAANGER GIRL!).

Having been indoctrinated into the team, we chase Abbey and her Danger Girl chums as they battle across Europe in defiance of the evil Hammer Empire - a neo-fascist regime with dreams of world-domination (seriously, are there any neo-fascists out there content to just read the paper and watch Jeopardy?). Cue car chases, romantic interludes, gun, knife and fist fights and of course plenty of heaving chests crammed into leather catsuits. Every frame is furiously detailed and, as I mentioned earlier there is sufficient skin on display to induce the loosening of collars - though in a James Bond-ish, PG13 kinda way. Aside from the pneumatic qualities of its Heroines, the artwork is simply superb, and its gratifying that every page is treated with the same glamor and sharpness.

In keeping with its big-budget movie cousins, the plot really isn't that unique, and the twists and turns didn't leaving me shaking my head. Still, it all fits perfectly as a 90 minute popcorn-munching ride, and this edition features some bonus artwork (cover art, conceptual sketches etc), plus a forward by Bruce 'Evil Dead' Campbell which sets the tone nicely.

If this was a film it would be produced by the Wachowski brothers, Directed by John Woo and star Jenna Jameson and Angelina Jolie. As a graphic novel, I heartily recommend it to comic-fans, newcomers alike, and anyone else who could use a bit of Danger in their lives.

What are the differences between this Danger Girl title and the upcoming one: Absolute Danger Girl, except the price? In other words will the latter feature everything or nearly everything that this collection offers? So that it follows, is it worth buying both titles? Please note that I have taken into consideration the exorbitant price of Absolute Danger Girl and I still wish to own it if it happens to have mostly new material that can not be found in Danger Girl: The Ultimate Collection.

Get this one and enjoy the ride! Reprints Miller's classic DD stories starting with issue 158. Miller's early Punisher rendition is still the best! The coloring and paper quality is excellent --- although this volume is somewhat pricey. In my opninion, Miller is one of the VERY few artists to capture the essence of Daredevil. If you're a Miller or DD diehard, this one is not to be missed.

Note: There are a few extra goodies in this volume: A Miler interview and storyboard layouts.

awesome collection of the frank millar daredevil run! great quality printing, pages feel great.

Before Sin City, before Dark Knight Returns, there was Frank Miller's Daredevil. In my opinion the best thing he ever did. He took a "B" rated super hero comic, that was being published bi-monthly, and turned it into one of the best selling monthly books of it's time. The ideas that Miller introduced in these stories are still resonating in the Marvel Universe today. He turned Daredevil into a super-bad ninja warrior. He made the Kingpin a major villain with unlimited underworld clout. He transformed Bullseye from a two-bit hood into the world's greatest assassin. And most noteably, he introduce Matt Murdock's ninja assassin love interest, Elektra.

These are some of my favorite comics of all time. The stories are a brilliant blend of super hero adventure and film style action and pacing. Not as light and upbeat as some of the books of the time, but not as dark and depressing as the "gritty" stuff Marvel is publishing these days. While I really liked some of the early adventures of DD by Stan Lee, Wally Wood, John Romita etc., for me Daredevil begins and ends with this legendary run. Nuff said.

I'm not gonna try to sell you on this book 'cause if you're looking at it you're already a Frank Miller fan. So... before I purchased this book I wanted to know what issues were contained therein! Above there are claimes this book contains DD issues #158 thru #191; this is only sort of true...

This most wonderful book ACTUALLY contains:

Daredevil #158 - 161 and #163 - 191 as well as the DD story from
What If...? #34!

Cool bonuses are: ALL of Franks DD trade paperback reprint covers, thumbnails and color guides for issue #190, a new introduction and an 1981 interview w/ Frank and Klaus,Frank's DD page from Fantastic Four Roast #1, AND Frank's intries from the Offcial Handbook of the Marvel Universe!

You know you want it True Beliver!

'Nuff said!

In the early 80's, Frank Miller took a tired, lost superhero with low sales and proceeded to reinvent crime comics forever. Dispatching with the standard superhero sensibilty and owing a great debt to Will Eisner's The Spirit, Miller created a new milieu in which the flaws of both Daredevil and his alter ego, Matt Murdock were write large, his supporting cast was fleshed out and his gallery of villians expanded to include ninjas and gangsters.

Along the way, the typical hero-villan confrontations became wrought with far greater emotion than had been previously shown. And, yes, the violence quotient was ratcheted up exponentially.

These stories famously became the basis for the Daredevil movie but here they are in their definitive form. The hardcover collection has all of Miller's Daredevil output from the early 80s. In them, you can see the pre-cursor for Miller's own Sin City. Additionally, Miller's pencils were never better than here. Unlike his future efforts, the style does not overwhlem the substance here. His pencils and Klaus Janson's inks mesh in a manner that occurs only a few times in comics history, joining the great penciller-inker teams like Kirby/Sinnot, Swan/Anderson and Byrne/Austin.

The only minus: it does not include the final portion of Miller's DD output: the classic "Born Again" series he wrote in the mid-80s simultaneously with another little thing he was working on called "The Dark Knight Returns". However, that's carping. This is meant to show Miller's work on the monthly when he was expected to write it forever. Of course, that never happens. But, at least we'll always have this omnibus to remind us of what was...

Oh, yeah, and there's also Elektra!!!!!!!!!

This book is, arguably, the funniest thing I have ever read in my life. Seeing these "normal" gay guys (and girls, too) has helped me face my own homosexuality. This book can (and should) be enjoyed by mature, open-minded readers of any and all persuasions.

this book is a fantastic insight into the mind of the gay male in society. when i bought it, the woman who sold it to me said I would be surprised how much it mimics straight married people's relationships, and, as a straight, married female, I can sympathize with Leonard's mother controlling his every move!

Bravo Tim!!!!

This book is a must. Not just for gay men, but for members of your family. I have given so many copies of "Domesticity Isn't Pretty" to friends and family members that I have lost count. It deals with the reality of gay couples, with humor and a realistic touch, so lacking in many gay author's work. Besides, once you give them "Domesticity Isn't Pretty," you can bet they'll seek out Tim Barela's three other Leonard and Larry books, as well!

Leonard Goldman is an architect. Larry Evans runs a Leather Store on Santa Monica Boulevard. Together, they deal with marriage, divorce, children, childbirth of grandchildren, the fact that a son may be gay, and who stole the cookies. Well, maybe the cookies aren't the most typical dilemma in anyone's family, but these men feel real, like neighbors.

When Larry's son David makes a very public coming out at his local high school prom, it completely unsettles his fatherhood expectations. Given that Larry, a gay man, is as rattled by the discovery that his offspring is gay makes him just like the rest of us. He's not a Super Human, he's just an Every Dad. Larry must suddenly face a reality that he takes for granted in his everyday life, and it's revelatory to come from a gay book.

One of the other fun things about this volume is that you get to watch the evolution of Leonard and Larry from being side characters in Barela's other strips to the heroes of their own. The introduction by Andy Mangles chronicles Tim's early strips for biker magazines, and how Tim came to terms then eventually came out through his art. Reading about Barela's growth and self realization parallels the growths of Leonard and Larry, making the stories all the more essential and commonplace to gays and lesbians everywhere. Maybe "Domesticity Isn't Pretty," but it sure is realistic. Funny, too. Get this! Get two. Spread the Leonard and Larry world.

This book was one of the best I have read in a long time. Leonard and Larry are the more realistic couple I have seen in a comic in years. Their shenanigans are awesome and their relationship is truly touching as well. Nice to see two "normal" men with "normal" lives who are so much in love.

Leonard is a timeless comic strip that is as fresh today as when it was written. If you would like to see what we are really like and how similar we are to the straight couples in this great land of our BUY THIS BOOK.