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Ego and Hubris: The Michael Malice Story (American Splendor)
“Michael Malice is one of the most puzzling twenty-first century Americans I have ever met.”
–Harvey Pekar
Who’s Michael Malice, and how did he become the subject of a graphic novel by Harvey Pekar, the curmudgeon from Cleveland?
First of all, Michael Malice is a real person. He’s 5’6” and weighs 130 pounds. Although on the cusp of thirty, he could easily pass for a scrawny t...more
–Harvey Pekar
Who’s Michael Malice, and how did he become the subject of a graphic novel by Harvey Pekar, the curmudgeon from Cleveland?
First of all, Michael Malice is a real person. He’s 5’6” and weighs 130 pounds. Although on the cusp of thirty, he could easily pass for a scrawny t...more
Hardcover, 160 pages
Published
December 18th 2007
by Ballantine Books
(first published April 11th 2006)
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The primary element with Ego & Hubris is that the book’s concern, Michael Malice, is not a particularly likable character.
True, he comes across as exceptionally intelligent and completely attuned to his own professional desires. However, he also makes it clear that he does not respect those who are not whom he considers his intellectual peers. In fact, many of his anecdotes pertain to his overweening pride in browbeating teachers, professors, co-workers, etc. In other words, Malice purp...more
True, he comes across as exceptionally intelligent and completely attuned to his own professional desires. However, he also makes it clear that he does not respect those who are not whom he considers his intellectual peers. In fact, many of his anecdotes pertain to his overweening pride in browbeating teachers, professors, co-workers, etc. In other words, Malice purp...more
Is it possible to enjoy a book yet hate its protagonist? Such was my situation with Ego and Hubris. This nicely-drawn, well-presented graphic novel presents the biography of the world’s biggest dickhead. No opportunity for petty cruelty is wasted with this guy, and he’s proud of it.
Because I am around the same age as Mr. Malice, I appreciated the period detail of his childhood. I, too, loved the TV show “Small Wonder” and collected and obsessively rearranged Safari Cards.
...more
Because I am around the same age as Mr. Malice, I appreciated the period detail of his childhood. I, too, loved the TV show “Small Wonder” and collected and obsessively rearranged Safari Cards.
...more
I appreciate the artwork and the dedication by Harvey Pekar on this piece but Mike Malice is an utter piece of Randroid shit. Totally egotistical, anti-social, anti-collective and completely hostile.
There are Rand quotes galore in this piece. The funny thing is Mike describes himself as an "anarchist", he's not. He's a Libertarian. The term anarchist evolved from the left and was a collective philosophy, not a philosophy of individualism. Furthermore, Mike goes on to call S...more
There are Rand quotes galore in this piece. The funny thing is Mike describes himself as an "anarchist", he's not. He's a Libertarian. The term anarchist evolved from the left and was a collective philosophy, not a philosophy of individualism. Furthermore, Mike goes on to call S...more
This the first graphic novel I've ever read and I loved it. I've been meaning to check out Harvey Pekar's work for a long time (he writes the American Splendor series that was turned into a really great movie). This was a lot of fun to read. It felt like "cheating" because a grapic novel is like a comic book. But there was a lot of depth to this story. I can't wait to read more!
This guy is such a prick and his life is pretty boring. I really like Harvey Pekar but Michael Malice is a snore. I would hate this guy in real life and I can even empathize a lot with where he is coming from. He comes across as unpleasant and self-righteous. Yes, he is unapologetic as the title suggests and it is slightly thrilling to see him lay into inept bosses but I bet he would be a terrible person to work with. Of all the people Harvey Pekar must have met in his life I can't really un...more
I love Harvey Pekar, but I just couldn't get into this book. The subject is a giant prick who is convinced Ayn Rand is the answer to all the worlds problems. It wouldn't be so bad if the guy wasn't constantly treating every other human being alive like they were mentally handicapped trash dwellers. I couldn't finish this book, even from the perspective of it being a portrait of a douchebag. The art is nice enough, and Pekar's writing is solid as always, but gah. Reading about this guy just made ...more
Man it's easy to really hate Michael Malice. While reading this book I forgot that Pekar wrote it. He writes so convincingly from the point of view of the ego-maniacal Malice that I wonder if much of the narration is pulled directly from interviews Pekar may have had with Malice. Not that this makes Pekar's book any less interesting or artful. It's impressive for how vividly Pekar gets into the mind of such a man.
Gary Dumm's art is kind of goofy. I've read a bunch of other Ameri...more
Gary Dumm's art is kind of goofy. I've read a bunch of other Ameri...more
I enjoy the writings and musings of Harvey Pekar - I own a few of his collected volumes - have read more than that - have met an Editor that worked with him - did a report on him in my Graphic Novel as Lit class - own and have watched "American Splendor" the docu-drama multiple times...but this was probably my least favorite thing Pekar has done. And that has everything to do with the subject.
Michael Malice is a total jerk-off. I hate self-proclaimed "geniuses" wh...more
Michael Malice is a total jerk-off. I hate self-proclaimed "geniuses" wh...more
Ego & Hubris is interesting in its simplicity. Harvey Pekar is telling the story of Michael Malice in a straight line and it is up to the reader to make judgements and add commentary and it works so well. The whole way through I had so many judgements and thoughts about this guy Michael Malice and I just had to sit with them because Pekar is only giving the story. Michael is not a particularly interesting person either. He is many ways a modern day Holden Caulfield. I don't think this book is fo...more
Michael Malice is a real jerk, but I loved reading about his life. Even from a very early age he was unapologetically self-centered and terribly cocky. He hates it when other people "screw him over" but he seems to have no trouble returning the favor, even getting a couple of people fired through the course of the book.
His political views don't endear him to me either. He read Ayn Rand books and loved them, which should come as no surprise to anyone. I am not very familiar ...more
His political views don't endear him to me either. He read Ayn Rand books and loved them, which should come as no surprise to anyone. I am not very familiar ...more
This is labeled as an installment of American Splendor, but it is actually the story of a different individual. Michael Malice has some definite similarities to Harvey Pekar, but that's not really the point. I suppose its an excellent graphic adaptation of a person's life. He is still alive and has a blog and continues to work on his many book projects which are interesting although I haven't read them myself. I read this in two evenings.
Hol
added it
This is the true story of a misanthropic 29-year-old Russian Jewish immigrant named Michael Malice (real name). The childhood stuff is great--I don’t know how Pekar leaps among disparate images so that a narrative accumulates and flows, but he does. When Michael grows up he identifies as an anarchist, though really he seems kind of sociopathic; my theory is that Pekar is fascinated by Michael’s insane confidence. Sometimes the words and art (this time by Gary Dumm) are a funny juxtaposition. Mic...more
I'd never heard of this Michael Malice character before, but judging from what I saw in "Ego & Hubris", I'd probably get along with him, establish an uneasy friendship, then forever after teeter on the precipice of never talking to him again, while intermittently laughing with dumbfounded disbelief at many of the things he said and did.
This is a quick, funny read about an interesting hothead. What bugs me about this book, though, is that the details within were presumabl...more
This is a quick, funny read about an interesting hothead. What bugs me about this book, though, is that the details within were presumabl...more
Unusual book from Harvey Pekar. Pekar is best known for his masterful autobiographical stories, but this one is all about another subject. What's unusual is that Michael Malice is such a showy character... Even when Pekar has written about others, they usually typify the 'everyman.' Malice is one of those rare birds whose life sounds like fiction. Pekar handles it well, and doesn't impose his voice over his subject.
This is a non-fiction graphic novel. It is the biography of some dude named Michael Malice. I am still not sure why Harvey Pekar (of American Splendor fame) decided to write this guy's biography, but that's how it turned out.
Michael Malice comes across as kind of a butt head in this book. I wonder how he feels about the completed project? Sometimes his actions are assertive, which I can appreciate, but sometimes he seems like an out and out mean jerk.
In any case, I th...more
Michael Malice comes across as kind of a butt head in this book. I wonder how he feels about the completed project? Sometimes his actions are assertive, which I can appreciate, but sometimes he seems like an out and out mean jerk.
In any case, I th...more
Really liked seeing the world from this guy's perspective as he can act like a big ass and I have a hard time understanding people like that. What I found weird was how suddenly near the end the entire tone of the book changed. I think they needed a smoother transition.
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Bravo, Harvey Pekar. What a wonderful, full and rich story you have presented here. I'm most grateful for the happy ending--which I never saw coming, let me tell you!
Yarmulkes, Libertarian think tanks, anarchism, Goldman Sachs, & New Wave bands collide in this excellent biography of the strange and terrifying Michael Malice.
Pekar is right when he says that examining Malice's life will lead to self-reflection. Also, the book shows that Ayn Rand is most appealing to sociopaths.
I was skeptical going into this because of the fact that Harvey Pekar was writing about someone other than himself. Michael Malice (of Overheard in NewYork/internet blogger/self-declared "horrible person" fame)comes across as a pretty big prick, but in the most endearing way possible. This is a quick read and if you like biographical content, comic books, and the tone of Pekar's writing style then you will find this enjoyable. If someone at a cocktail party were to ask me that stand...more
Patrick
added it
Now I know this boring dick's whole boring life story. Great!
Well, it gave me some food for thought. Maybe I'll write more about it later.
Well, it gave me some food for thought. Maybe I'll write more about it later.
ayn rand's philosophy is only ideal when reactive. but mike's story is admirable.
Well, I know I wouldn't like Michael Malice, but I really enjoyed this book about him. Have to say the first part was better -- got a bit bored near the end, though.
Michael Malice is indeed a piece of work.
very interesting...
Very humorous book in the style of Harvey Pekar(he wrote it). Unlike American Splendor however, this one is a biography of another person. Mr. Malice who the book is about, is a genius, bitter, egotistical man with a holier than thou attitude. My kind of guy. He holds back no punches, the way he treats people is hilarious. Definitely a good quick read.
This Was So Egotistical & Amazing. This Is NOT american Splenor But It is a Display of Harvey Pekars amazing writing. Its about a veryyyy Smart man (which is a Gift) But He Knows hes Smart (which is a Curse). This is a Story of his life & how He puts up with people in his Own humorus Way. My Little Sister Stole this from me:) I want it back.
This comic is profoundly disturbing to me. The main character's life resembles mine far more than I feel comfortable with and he is an ass. In addition Harvey Pekar warns at the end that this book may resemble the readers life. Whatever it means I feel just a little less alone and somehow insulted- Loved it.
This was my first Harvey Pekar experience, and while I thought the art was fine, I can't say I enjoyed the content. Michael Malice is a bitter and obnoxious man, and his biography made me cringe. The jacket copy says that Michael Malice is our generation's "everyman." If that's true, our generation sucks.
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Harvey Lawrence Pekar was an American underground comic book writer best known for his autobiographical American Splendor series.
In 2003, the series inspired a critically acclaimed film adaptation of the same name.
More about Harvey Pekar...
In 2003, the series inspired a critically acclaimed film adaptation of the same name.
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