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216th out of 1,503 books
—
3,027 voters
Tricked
by
Alex Robinson (Goodreads Author)
Alex's new graphic novel follows the lives of six people - a reclusive rock legend, a heartbroken waitress, a counterfeiter, an obsessive crank, a lost daughter, and a backstabbing lover - whose lives are unconnected until an act of violence affects them all in different ways.
Hardcover, 349 pages
Published
August 23rd 2005
by Top Shelf Productions
(first published September 7th 2002)
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Alex Robinson has, hands down, won my personal "best new author" award for this year. No, he's not a new author and no, there's no prize, but hey, he deserves it!
With Box Office Poison, Robinson created characters that were full and believable. I wanted to be friends with those characters, but was happy to have eavesdropped on their lives for a little bit. In Tricked, Robinson shows that he can master plot as well as character. This whole book is so tight, each panel leading up to a climax that...more
With Box Office Poison, Robinson created characters that were full and believable. I wanted to be friends with those characters, but was happy to have eavesdropped on their lives for a little bit. In Tricked, Robinson shows that he can master plot as well as character. This whole book is so tight, each panel leading up to a climax that...more
I loved this. I cannot compare it to BOP because I think Alex's goal was different in this story. All of the people in BOP knew each other and were related somehow whereas in Tricked, all of these people are on separate tracks that are leading to the same somewhat inevitable conclusion. Robinson's ability to create multiple characters that are clear and individualized shines in this graphic novel. I also loved how no one in this story is all good or all evil. Everyone is flawed, and that is what...more
I really liked this story. It starts out as 6 separate, distinct stories that come together over time. The climax involves all 6 people in the same room, but it doesn't feel forced - the reader is led gradually to a place where it makes sense for them to all be there. Anyway. I am a big fan of solid, well-written comics and graphic novels, and this ranks way up there. It was "compulsively readable", and I'd recommend anyone who is interested in discovering more about comics (or anyone who alread...more
When I was putting together the 10-10-12 list, Alex Robinson’s Tricked, came up on a number of “best of” lists in the graphic novel categories. This being the case, I’m worried about the rest of the recommended texts, because I didn’t like Tricked, at all.
I didn’t like the plot (six seemingly independent narratives predictably collide in a climax that is neither surprising (though it ought to be), nor compelling as a woeful musician who can’t write a new song until he’s inspired by a sexy young...more
I didn’t like the plot (six seemingly independent narratives predictably collide in a climax that is neither surprising (though it ought to be), nor compelling as a woeful musician who can’t write a new song until he’s inspired by a sexy young...more
In this graphic novel we follow the lives of six unconnected characters who will eventually become connected by a horrible act of violence. Before the rockstar, temp, waitress, daughter, crank and autograph forger come together the reader gets to know them a bit and see how relationships begin and how events conspire to put them all in the same place on one fateful night.
I admit a huge part of why I read this book is that is has a fabulous cover. I love the fact that it looks like a tape, althou...more
I admit a huge part of why I read this book is that is has a fabulous cover. I love the fact that it looks like a tape, althou...more
This graphic novel is similar to American Born Chinese in that there are multiple plots going on while the individual stories are broken up into individual chapters. Tricked, however, has six main characters instead of the three that American Born Chinese had. Ray Beam is a washed up former rock star and Lily is his personal assistant turned wife. Phoebe is a college age student who travels to a small town diner to meet up with her dad. Caprice is a waitress at the diner and she meets a man whom...more
I read this one as part of my "get to know and love graphic novels".
I liked the plot, I liked the characters, I even liked the illustrations but somehow, in this case the sum is not equal to the parts. I liked all of those parts but in the end I was left with the feeling that it would have made a really good novel instead of a comic book.
It tells the story of 6 characters who lives kind of dance around each other only to meet up in the violent ending of the book. There's a rock star suffering...more
I liked the plot, I liked the characters, I even liked the illustrations but somehow, in this case the sum is not equal to the parts. I liked all of those parts but in the end I was left with the feeling that it would have made a really good novel instead of a comic book.
It tells the story of 6 characters who lives kind of dance around each other only to meet up in the violent ending of the book. There's a rock star suffering...more
I've been reading mainly "literary" and arty, spare graphic novels about losers (Jason, Seth, Chet Brown, Chris Ware), so this feels very different to me.... my general first impression of this guy's work is that he makes graphic novels like Hollywood movies, entertainments, hipster-thriller entertainments... and I thought: this guy is a favorite of the new ComicCons where Hollywood comes looking for ready-made scripts... and this is one, for sure... six characters living separate lives who all...more
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Luomiskykynsä kadottanut rocktähti. Ihmissuhteissaan kipuileva tarjoilija. Kauan sitten kadonnutta isäänsä etsivä tytär. Mielenterveydellisistä ongelmista kärsivä popnörtti. Kuuluisien urheilijoiden nimikirjoituksilla elantonsa ansaitseva väärentäjä. Toimistotyttö, josta tulee sattumalta taiteilijan muusa.
Kuuden ihmisen elämänlangat leikkaavat toisiaan enemmän tai vähemmän sattumanvaraisella tavalla Alex Robinsonin mestarillisessa ihmissuhde-sarjakuvassa "Tricked" (Top Shelf, 2005), jolle vertai...more
Kuuden ihmisen elämänlangat leikkaavat toisiaan enemmän tai vähemmän sattumanvaraisella tavalla Alex Robinsonin mestarillisessa ihmissuhde-sarjakuvassa "Tricked" (Top Shelf, 2005), jolle vertai...more
Six strangers lives become intertwined more and more until the disappointing conclusion of the book. I like stories told from varying perspectives, and I think Alex Robinson did a good job with this. Each character has a chapter devoted to them in the 6 chapter cycle. Some of stories are much more fleshed out than others. I really liked Caprice's storyline- by far the most realistic, and Steve, the fan descending into further madness. Nick, the pawn shop forger, had the least interesting storyli...more
Dec 22, 2012
Stephane
added it
You know the feeling that you get when you finally figure out that you've read the book you're reading for the second time and you hadn't noticed? That little annoyance? Well, with this book, it didn't matter. It is such a well written piece with wonderfully evocative artwork that, even though i was slightly annoyed at having read it before, i just had to finish reading it for a second time.
Highly recommended. Give in and immerse yourself in the lives of Ray Beam, one of his obsessive fan who sl...more
Highly recommended. Give in and immerse yourself in the lives of Ray Beam, one of his obsessive fan who sl...more
A graphic novel that is not especially innovative in terms of character types or drawing style but does what it does well. There are three connecting plotlines. Within those there are a range of points of view, from a rock star to a diner waitress, all done convincingly and with believable dialogue. I guess the characters are somewhat typical of the kind you see in Hollywood films- wide eyed latina, jaded rock star, russian mob guy. Do jaded rock starts in suits and sunglasses (like a Don Henley...more
Tricked! What does it mean to be tricked? Robinson explores numerous themes on the concept. By far, the best character was tormented rock star Ray and the down-to-earth muse who helps him get a handle on his out-of-control environment. I would gladly read more about Ray. However, I have to dock this one a star because of the intensely unlikable character Nick--who seems like an affable, go-with-the-flow Everyman but is in actuality full of deceit and cruelty. He reminded me far too much of parti...more
The best graphic novel I've read in a while, enough so that it became a Christmas gift or two. Much like Blankets, Tricked is a charming black and white look into the lives of young people. It features six protagonists whose stories all eventually intertwine. Admittedly, the characters are a bit tough to swallow (the washed up rock star, the schizo IT guy) but I didn't find that it detracted from the story.
Interesting things keep happening to these characters and it made me want to devour the e...more
Interesting things keep happening to these characters and it made me want to devour the e...more
It's the rare graphic novel that actually *is* a novel. This one counts. Robinson takes his time telling the unrelated stories of six characters who come together at the end of book for one brief, violent moment. It's good, and expertly told, but the characters are all stuck and unchanging, which doesn't make for much of a novel. The "coda" takes care of the change, but at the same time, the death that creates that change has no meaning in and of itself. The tragedy is unfelt, which is a shame.
Alex RObinson is very good at both writing and art...to be so good at both these things is pretty damned impressive. His characters have a cartoon form but wonderful three dimensionality. This is a much more coherent and mature piece than Box Office Poison and shows him maturing. At times he is the very best, at others a little sentimental. So? I never regret the money or time spent on his work. See also Too Cool to be Forgotten.
Nov 14, 2012
Oscar Salas
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
préstamos,
graphic-novels
Robinson, que tanto talento mostró en Malas Ventas, desperdicia todo ese buen oficio con los diálogos y las emociones ejecutando en Estafados un ejercicio manierista de resultado nefasto. No sólo los personajes no son empáticos, sino que en la cuenta regresiva al gran momento que reunirá sus destinos, no pasa nada. Las conexiones necesarias son forzadas y el final es conservador. Muy mal, viniendo de quien viene. Muy mal.
What a great read! The 6 main characters and all of the secondary characters are introduced in such a succinct way that you know them, their names, and what they're about within the first 26 pages. Well-written, elegantly drawn, with characters that are explored fully without becoming too cartoony.
Apr 28, 2009
Nicole
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
graphic novel neophytes
Shelves:
graphic-novel-comics
Things I appreciated:
* the meta-ness
* the slightly overweight character
* the good guy
* the old man gay couple
Things I did not appreciate:
* the annoying guy with his sloppy thought bubbles
* the cheesy ending
A quick, engaging read. An easy book to transition with if you are just getting into graphic novels...which I am, so I know what I'm talking about here.
* the meta-ness
* the slightly overweight character
* the good guy
* the old man gay couple
Things I did not appreciate:
* the annoying guy with his sloppy thought bubbles
* the cheesy ending
A quick, engaging read. An easy book to transition with if you are just getting into graphic novels...which I am, so I know what I'm talking about here.
Robinson knows how to play with your sympathy with this one. I found myself alternating between compassion and disdain for some of the central characters, but ultimately, I think Robinson puts your emotions where he wants them. The book has a climactic ending that doesn't disappoint.
This a decent follow up to Box Office Poison but it failed to capture me in the way that book did. It's considerably shorter coming in just a tad shy of 350 vs. BOP over 600. It uses some interesting plot devices in that he makes it clear early on that he is counting down to something but you're not really sure what until at least 2/3's of the way through. Even then, it's not clear how all of the different story lines are going to tie together. This works fine if you care about the characters. I...more
this is a great follow up to Box Office Poison. Robinson takes story telling to the next level with a Crash like story that doesn't just take cliches and mix them in a blender. Every character in this moving story is fully realized. Again, his artwork is wonderful.
Really good, like Box Office Poison, it is a great "ordinary people" comic and again the characters are the strongest things here. The plot and particularly the climax though is not quite satisfying even though the whole thing does countdown to an awful event.
This graphic novel exposes the ills of human nature while also showing what makes people worth while. Characters range from so loathsome you want to erase them, so self-destructive you want to shake them, and so insane that you deeply fear them to so lovable you feel at home with them and trust them completely. This is a very adult book in a very real world. Enjoy watching the characters weave their way into one another's lives...
Alex Robinson's "Tricked" is a fast paced graphic novel that I found impossible to put down. Robinson creates characters who deal with very core issues of the human existence, including love, hate, greed, desire, wants and needs. Following the lives of numerous characters until they eventually intersect in the novel's climax, this beautifully illustrated work is exciting.
I loved the author's previous work, and picked this up. One gripe I have is that the lettering is really uneven and some sections need to be read a few times to understand what's written. The story is good, and I enjoyed it for the most part.
Good like all of Robinson's work. This one didn't quite feel as cohesive as Too Kool to Be Forgotten or some of the others, though. The story arcs don't fit together as smoothly and it's like they're physically rammed together at the end.
Another great Alex Robinson book in the tradition of Box Office Poison.
Great stories, great art, every Alex book has little things hidden. I find myself studying every detail so I don't miss anything.
Please don't miss this.
Great stories, great art, every Alex book has little things hidden. I find myself studying every detail so I don't miss anything.
Please don't miss this.
Meh. When I first started this book I liked the idea of reading it along with the illustrations but that quickly lost its allure. I dont think you can flesh out 6 characters properly in a graphic novel.
Again, meh.
Again, meh.
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Alex Robinson was born in the Bronx on 8 August. He grew up in Yorktown Heights, New York where he graduated high school in 1987. His first job upon graduation was washing dishes in a gourmet deli and it was while working there he decided that maybe college was a pretty good idea afterall.
He spent one year at SUNY Brockport and then transferred to an art school in New York City, where he majored...more
More about Alex Robinson...
He spent one year at SUNY Brockport and then transferred to an art school in New York City, where he majored...more
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Aug 17, 2007 06:56am