‘He flies through the air with the greatest of ease – the daring young man on the flying trapeze!’
Step right up, Ladie... read full description
reviews
Apr 21, 2009
Hannah
rated it: 
I read this this morning. It's pretty great but super short.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 06, 2011
Tim
rated it: 
I love From Hell, but somehow had never read anything else that Eddie Campbell was involved in. So glad I had a chance to read this, though. This is immediately finding itself ranked among the best comics I've ever read. Utterly charming but also somewhat twisted and dark, a bit macabre, entirely hilarious, with lots of non-pretentious references to influential comics and literature. And it's about a not-quite-star-quality circus performer who counts among his friends a talking bear who was
More...
Mar 19, 2009
Wred
rated it:
Anything Eddie Campbell's done is worth reading. Visually dazzling as usual, the story's a bit daft here, but a fun romp enough through early 20th Century circus culture. I must say though that I'm getting a bit sick of the prestige of graphic novels. In the past this would have been a $5-10 book printed on cheap newsprint instead of $16.95 on nice shiny paper. Sure, it looks great, but it's only about 130 pages long and doesn't take that long to read. I liked it better when the intellectua
More...
Sep 09, 2008
Erik
rated it:
Released just recently to coincide with this year’s annual San Diego Comic-Con, Campbell’s latest fully-painted graphic novel recounts the fictional life of real-life trapeze artist Jules Leotard’s nephew. The younger Leotard journeys across Western Europe, the Atlantic, and to the United States in a circuitous circus-like fashion reminiscent of the outlandish tales of Baron Von Munchausen; and, in the process, acquires an entourage of Circus freaks – most notably La Quartette Fantastique – who,
More...
Aug 24, 2008
Caleb
rated it:
I am just cutting and pasting this from my comics blog, my uncertainty regarding the spelling of circus troop/circus troupe in tact:
When I think “Eddie Campbell,” I inevitably think From Hell’s Eddie Campbell. Not because I’ve never read any of his other work, or think of him as any sort of one-trick pony, but because From Hell is a work with such an enormous gravitational pull. I mention this only because when I think of Eddie Campbell, I tend to think of brutal prostitute murders i More...
When I think “Eddie Campbell,” I inevitably think From Hell’s Eddie Campbell. Not because I’ve never read any of his other work, or think of him as any sort of one-trick pony, but because From Hell is a work with such an enormous gravitational pull. I mention this only because when I think of Eddie Campbell, I tend to think of brutal prostitute murders i More...
May 22, 2010
Molly
rated it: 
It was... interesting. The watercolors were lovely, and there were some really cool things done with the circus characters. (I love the tattooed lady scenes)
But... it wasn't that great. The stories start out with promise, and then fizzle out. Granted, his uncle's dying words were something about 'may nothing occur...' but... I don't know- seems like inaction is a silly premise for a book. I mean... don't you want to read about things occurring, not a book about nothing occurring? More...
But... it wasn't that great. The stories start out with promise, and then fizzle out. Granted, his uncle's dying words were something about 'may nothing occur...' but... I don't know- seems like inaction is a silly premise for a book. I mean... don't you want to read about things occurring, not a book about nothing occurring? More...
Dec 25, 2008
Bruce
rated it: 
A balance of earthy humor and hard, hard truths as only Campbell can pull off. The adventures of a madcap circus troupe stays pitched at giddy insouciance, even when recounting the murderous rampage of a liger ("Don't be silly--it's a Ti-Lion!") or the conflagration set off by an over-powdered human cannonball. But the cannonball keeps falling throughout the book, a shooting star reciting poetry, as old age, infidelities, a hostile public, and the maiden voyage of the Titanic sap our
More...
Nov 15, 2011
Twan
rated it:
A circus troupe, consisting of all the usual suspects, a strong man, tattooed lady, dwarves, rubber man and a talking bear, travel the globe getting into all sorts of shit, even getting stuck on the sinking Titanic. Quite a funny little read.
Apr 27, 2010
Deborah
rated it:
The story of the son of a fabulous trapeze artist who decides to takes on his father's identity when he dies performing. Hilarity ensues with this cast of circus performers and "freaks" and the changing world and its politics surrounding the 1930s.
Sep 12, 2009
Nick
rated it:
Simply a marvelous book - begins out very strangely at the start but this is just a way to get you addicted. Immensely re-readable, has so much stuffed into such a small book. Not recommended for those that don't like to analyze art.
Jul 29, 2011
Russell
rated it:
The false story of a real persons nephew. Not the strongest of Campbells work, but I'm such a sucker for alternate history type things, I really liked it. Just a bit too Forest Gump really.
Jan 28, 2009
Kate
rated it:
Eddie Campbell is a favorite of mine. It took me a while to get his sense of humor, though. At times he is very dry and understated.
This book is no exception. It follows the mis-adventures of the nephew of the real Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard when he takes over for his uncle after his untimely death. I love his messy yet precise illustrations.
This book is no exception. It follows the mis-adventures of the nephew of the real Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard when he takes over for his uncle after his untimely death. I love his messy yet precise illustrations.
Dec 13, 2011
Pinky
rated it:
This GN is told in episodes by the nephew of the original circus performer, Monsieur Leotard. Trippy account of the circus and "amazing acts" through the late 19th, early 20th century.
Apr 01, 2009
Steve
rated it:
A bit metafiction, a bit action/adventure, a bit character drama... a bit weird really. A decent read though.
Oct 12, 2009
Jeff
rated it:
Eddie's best work in a long time. The humor and whimsy returns to his storytelling!
Oct 06, 2008
sweet pea
rated it:
an entertaining slice of circus lore. sometimes seemingly historical, sometimes improbable, frequently humorous. the chapters are often broken up with explanations of the situation or flashes back to the past. the sleeping chapter is an interesting way to fast forward the timeline. but it is a device that doesn't work for me - it made the novel seem too broken up. the illustrations are interesting. the concept in interesting. not as phenomenal as i had hoped. but definitely worth a read.
More...
Aug 01, 2008
Anna
rated it:
I was a bit disappointed by this -- it felt like a great idea which wasn't properly developed, and petered out too quickly. Also, from a design perspective, there is an inconsistent use of typography which slightly irritatated me: the handlettering is fine, but if you're going to pick a mechanical typeface, just pick ONE and stick with it. Fantastic cover design, though. (and it's signed copy, too)
Mar 15, 2009
Kerry
rated it:
A rather strange little story. I didn't really care for the art either.
Feb 02, 2009
Jamie
rated it:
The watercolor illustrations in this graphic novel were perfectly suited to the whimsical and charming story of trapeze artist Etienne. The story was not an engaging as it could have been had it been fleshed out more with more character development. However, it was a really enjoyable read.
May 29, 2009
Loyd
rated it:
The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard doesn’t entirely hold together as a narrative, but it’s whimsical and entertaining, and the illustrations are wonderful. Moments of it remind me of Forrest Gump done in an early 20th century circus setting.
Oct 07, 2010
Chriss
rated it:
Was a bit darker than I expected, or really wanted. I also found the end un-satisfying; everyone ends up old and tragically dead.
If you like graphic novels like Goodbye Chunky Rice, and Fluffy you'll likely enjoy The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard.
If you like graphic novels like Goodbye Chunky Rice, and Fluffy you'll likely enjoy The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard.
Aug 06, 2008
My roomate in college used to write letters to her boyfriend back home and put "Maurice Crouton" on the return address. The title of this book reminds me of that. Say it with a french accent: Maurice Crouton. Monsieur Leotard. Hee hee!
Dec 27, 2010
Matt
rated it:
I call this a trifle with the utmost affection because not aspiring to greatness has always been Eddie Cambell's greatest strength.
Aug 21, 2008
Jason
rated it:
Totally ridiculous, and really fun. Pretty smart, too. A bit more conventionally told than a lot of Campbell's more recent work.
Jan 24, 2011
Matt
rated it:
I'd read "Eddie Campbell's Illustrated How-To Guide for Operating Your Toaster!" Beautiful, witty, and elegant.
Jun 15, 2008
The best Eddie Campbell so far. I adore the whole tattoo'ed lady storyline and the "memento" she leaves behind.
Feb 07, 2012
Jan 29, 2012
