An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, and True Stories (Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, & True Stories, Volume 1)

There is a stark difference between mainstream commercial graphic fiction and the alternative or independent variety featured here. The difference is between Michael Bay and Darren Aronofsky although maybe even Aronofsky is too commercial. In many cases it's the difference between Bay and a college film maker. The point is that mainstream comics are generally intended for safe consumption by a mass audience while independents tend to reflect an artists true vision. Let me just say that this collection is not for everyone and it most certainly is not for children. The stories feature molestation, pedophilia, raw language and graphic nudity both male and female. Don't be fooled by the whimsical cover.Ironically what got me interested in independent artists was a collection from DC comics called `Bizarro Comics' which featured alternate-comic creators doing their takes on the DC characters. Inspired by the unique stories in Bizarro I purchased `McSweeney's Issue 13' which absolutely blew me away. However, my next purchase, `The Best American Comics - 2006' was a big disappointment and led me to wonder if there just weren't enough quality alternative comics produced in a single year to create an entire 300+ page book. Some of the stories were entirely too long and left me wishing they were over. `An Anthology of Graphic Fiction' is an out of the park home run. The author presents comics going back to the 1940's but leaning decidedly towards current stuff. They run the gamut from Aline Crumbs primitive scratchings to Chris Ware meticulous works that look like they came straight from a graphic design class. The writing is much more profane and a helluva lot more gloomy than what you find in mainstream graphic fiction. Someone should do a study on why alternative artists are so depressed.One final point. At the risk of sounding like an advertisement you DEFINITELY get your money's worth with this one. It's 400 pages jam packed with great material. Get this one... get `McSweeney's Issue 13' but skip `Best American' and if you still need more grab up the vastly underrated Bizarro Comics. If you've never experienced some of the alternate comics out there you really should give it a try. It's certainly different and definitely more intimate, honest and thought provoking.

I wanted to get a taste of some "graphic fiction," and this book looked pretty good. I've enjoyed it, and it has certainly increased my knowledge of the medium, but it could have been better. By sticking to only the North American continent, there are a number of glaring omissions, such as Tintin, Asterix, and the enormous field of Japanese-language comics. The rising medium of webcomics has not a mention. There are even a few notable American comics which were omitted, such as Popeye and Dick Tracy. Krazy Kat is here, but with only one strip. Though I realize that space is at a premium here, there are a number of things which seem poorly represented.Much of the book is made up of graphic novel excerpts, which irritate me slightly, as they tend to end just when they've captured my interest. However, there are also a lot of "short stories" and single-page or single-spread comics.It should also be noted that this book is not intended for children. There is a good deal of what is often referred to as "language" and a number of depictions of sex and/or nudity.One last thing...this book includes two "farewells" to Charles Schulz by Art Spiegelman and Chris Ware, which will no doubt interest Peanuts fans.

...an american anthology, press in China, bad, bad, bad... its bizarre, its my opinion only, the contents, I'm reading... regards Marco Esperidión

on time and what I wanted!

Terrific selection. Beautiful quality book.

Great book

I knew this book would be great, but I didn't quite imagine it would be THIS amazing.Perfect choices of stellar material from the cream of the 'alt' comics creators (or insert buzzword of choice here). Beautifully packaged, enticingly laid out, just an amazing confection of visuals presented in a treasure of a book.Perfect for the newcomer hoping to investigate this convoluted 'new' graphic novel phenomenon, and a necessary teaser to entice further investigation. Just right for the dabbler or anyone returning to comix after laying them down however many years ago. - - And a 'must-have' for aging life-long comics nerds like me.Over the years I'd already seen much of the stuff reprinted here, but was very pleased by both the choices of material and the choices of how to sequence them. There's also some amazing pieces by newer, younger creators that I wasn't familiar with at all.There is a flow of subject matter, styles or 'schools' that make this a difficult book to put down. Also the choices of the more vintage material and where they're placed, the placement of the colored pages, and the pages that require you to turn the book sideways. The occasional thoughtful text pieces & Ivan Brunetti's compelling introduction - - Just enough, not too much in a book that remains visual. The particular choices for material excerpted from longer stories - - where in the story it brings you in, how it sucks you in, and the way it ends leaving you wanting more......and the printing! The end papers, the dust jacket!It doesn't stop. The choices for how much of a page count certain artists receive are also significant, as well as who gets omitted alltogether. These are all choices that must have been painstaking for editor Brunetti, but I feel they show the book as labor of love imbued with personality, rather than a potentially dryer completist encyclopedia.An important look at the comics scene, every inch crammed with eye candy.Can't say enough good things about this book! (Had you noticed?) It knocked me out, I think anyone who sees it will be recommending it to others for years to come.

I bought this when it was on sale for $10 and was very disappointed. Just not edited well or a relevant collection of representative art comics. Probably due to expense, it seems to be an anthology of inexpensive content instead of exceptional content. Now it's selling for under $2 and I would waste even that much on it.

so many great stories to read again & again

Nice!!!

Estupenda antología de cómic estadounidense, en una edición cuidada. Estilos variados, dentro del mundo del cómic "independiente". Aunque no todos brillen a la misma altura, la media esta alta