Alex's new graphic novel follows the lives of six people - a reclusive rock legend, a heartbroken waitress, a counterfeiter, an obsessive crank, a ...
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Oct 12, 2008
Mollymillions
rated it: 
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 leadin 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 leadin More...
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Jun 06, 2008
Jamie
rated it: 
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
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Aug 16, 2007
Jen
rated it:
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 an
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Jun 01, 2011
Rosalia
rated it: 
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 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 More...
Jun 11, 2010
Justin
rated it:
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
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Dec 06, 2011
Lori
rated it:
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 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 More...
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Apr 21, 2011
stephanie clarisse
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Aug 01, 2011
Matti
rated it:
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, More...
Kuuden ihmisen elämänlangat leikkaavat toisiaan enemmän tai vähemmän sattumanvaraisella tavalla Alex Robinsonin mestarillisessa ihmissuhde-sarjakuvassa "Tricked" (Top Shelf, More...
Nov 07, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
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
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Sep 15, 2009
Sarah
rated it:
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 Hen
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Feb 06, 2012
Peacegal
rated it:
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
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Aug 09, 2011
Nick
rated it:
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 More...
Interesting things keep happening to these characters and it made me want More...
Jan 05, 2010
John
rated it:
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
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Oct 15, 2009
George
rated it:
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.
Apr 28, 2009
Nicole
rated it:
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.
May 11, 2009
Michael
rated it:
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.
Dec 16, 2009
Scott
rated it:
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 character
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Jan 23, 2009
Paul
rated it:
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.
Sep 19, 2011
Keon
rated it:
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.
May 29, 2011
J.F.
rated it:
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...
Jul 16, 2010
Heather
rated it:
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.
Dec 26, 2010
Michael
rated it:
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.
Nov 11, 2011
Bill
rated it:
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.
Jan 08, 2012
Deborah
rated it:
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.
Apr 02, 2011
Ksenia
rated it:
Remember the movie Crash? Yeah, well, this was much better. And this time, you see these six different characters in their own storylines, but their lives finally intersect at the end. I loved Box Office Poison when I read it only 2 or 3 years ago. Robinson has a very distinct style of drawing and his stories are very real. There’s one particular character in this story that you’re not meant to like and the drawing of him, and even the words, depict that spot-on. The whole time I was reading thi
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Oct 31, 2009
Bearded_Brewer
rated it:
I read B.O.P. a few years ago, and just had to give this a try. I am a big fan of this author/artist's storytelling and drawing style. Definitely worth a read. I really enjoyed it.
Aug 21, 2007
Sharon
rated it:
"Tricked" is both clever and heartbreaking, but it's no "Box Office Poison." Character development lacks a little bit, and it may just be because Robinson is working with so much more material plot-wise. While he deftly weaves together the stories of a washed-up musician making a comeback, an obsessive fan, a mother and father reuniting, and an unlikely blossoming romance, at times it feels he has too much on his plate. I only say this because in "Box Office Poison"
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Aug 09, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
Really good graphic novel storytelling and work with interlocking plotlines, though the ending was a little expected? Still, the small moments made this more than worthwhile
Mar 30, 2010
J.
rated it:
Still an amazing artist and writer. My only complaint is the level of disjuncture between all the stories. Whereas in BOP it was perfect, here a few if the stories felt extraneous. Even with the pacing issues and need to cut back on a few characters, still better than most of the graphic novels I've ever read.
Jun 17, 2011
Mark
rated it:
The story of six strangers whose lives become briefly and bizarrely intertwined. A well-imagined ensemble cast of characters provides the foundation, but Tricked is more than the sum of its parts. A funny, tragic, and exceedingly well-crafted graphic novel.
