Wimbledon Green: : The Greatest Comic Book Collector in the World
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Read in December, 2007
I hadn't read any Seth books before, but knew of him through his depictions in Joe Matt's harrowing book, Spent. This is a complex little comic (book) novel told through varying POVs of more than a dozen characters. It imagines a world where the top comic book collectors in the world scheme and steal from one another, are rich men, and all live in Canada. It's the antithesis of Chris Ware's collector Rusty Brown, though even here there's no pretending that such an obsession will ever get you a g...more
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Read in December, 2006
recommends it for:
fans of Chris Ware, Michael Chabon
Supposedly taken from Seth's sketchbooks, the book is a lively, jaunty, hilarious read. As Seth notes, inspired by recent work from Dan Clowes, Chris Ware, and David Heatley, the book uses short fragmented episodes, featuring many characters, to tell one over-arching story. The story, ostensibly about a master comic book collector, is a loving portrait of the comics industry, one that encompasses creator, readers — and comic book stores! At the same time, it is a mystery, an adventure story, ...more
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Read in April, 2006
Graphic Novel. No one knows much about Wimbledon Green except he's probably the greatest comic book collector in the world. At least, that's what they think they heard. This is framed as a documentary, a sort of Behind the Music for comic book collectors, told through interviews and short flashbacks, no section more than a few pages, some even as short as five panels. The story builds slowly and takes off on a few tangents, part history and part action-adventure.
The paper is heavy and thick ...more
The paper is heavy and thick ...more
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Read in June, 2007
this review first appeared on intraspace.blogspot.com
this is the second graphic novel i've read in the last couple of weeks. this one wasn't overly brilliant - but it was reasonably interesting.
it is all about a mysterious comic collector named wimbledon green. it is kind of a character sketch of green and is told mainly through the recollections of other collectors who have had dealings with him. we find out that he's been inv...more
this is the second graphic novel i've read in the last couple of weeks. this one wasn't overly brilliant - but it was reasonably interesting.
it is all about a mysterious comic collector named wimbledon green. it is kind of a character sketch of green and is told mainly through the recollections of other collectors who have had dealings with him. we find out that he's been inv...more
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Read in May, 2008
I would like to think that this fictional world of wealthy and incredibly eccentric comic book collectors really exists. I only know the broke-ass kind. I also wish I could read all the made up titles in this story like those "Fine & Dandy" hobo comics. Furthermore, I wish I had a secret underground hideout full of rare comics. And maybe that turban wearing manservant to fly me around in a helicopter in search of rare hobo comics.
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Read in June, 2008
Seth, Wimbledon Green: The Greatest Comic Book Collector in the World (Drawn and Quarterly, 2005)
Amusing dig at the obsessive collector mentality (centered on comics, of course, but the obsession is universal; viz. Dork Tower and the like). The titular antihero (note to self: change word before posting to Amazon, for “titular” contains a-- gasp!-- seeming reference to the female breast) is a greedy scumsucking pig who always seems to show up where the good stuff is, and get to it before ...more
Amusing dig at the obsessive collector mentality (centered on comics, of course, but the obsession is universal; viz. Dork Tower and the like). The titular antihero (note to self: change word before posting to Amazon, for “titular” contains a-- gasp!-- seeming reference to the female breast) is a greedy scumsucking pig who always seems to show up where the good stuff is, and get to it before ...more
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I'm VERY conflicted about the idea of artists and writers publishing sketchbooks. Sure, there are plenty of people out there who'd eagerly purchase the rag Picasso wiped his paintbrush on, but there's certainly no art or pride involved in that exchange. It's a way to make a quick buck when you're too lazy or uninspired to work on anything of substance.
That being said, there is a vicarious thrill in the chance to look at what Crumb idly doodles while looking after his daughter, or what an e...more
That being said, there is a vicarious thrill in the chance to look at what Crumb idly doodles while looking after his daughter, or what an e...more
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Read in March, 2006
This is an appealing little graphic novel that tells the story, through vignettes, of the great Wimbledon Green. With his monocle and cane, Green is more sophisticated than most comic book collectors I know in the real world, and Seth's story seems to take place in an alternate universe where comic book collectors are sophisticated financiers. I very much enjoyed it, and like the best cartoonists, Seth can convey a lot of emotion and intent through very simple drawings. Overall it came off as a ...more
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Read in May, 2008
i liked it, except for the author's inability to use commas. bugged me on EVERY PAGE. . my usage has certainly slipped in recent years, but at least i try to abide by rules of clarity. phrases like "let's go boss" sound bad in my head.
and probably 40% of the charm is in the delightful design of the book.
and in the memories of Seattle... 'cause that's where i bought it and never got around to finishing reading it til tonight during rehearsal. i miss Seattle. Comictown, USA. strange d
and probably 40% of the charm is in the delightful design of the book.
and in the memories of Seattle... 'cause that's where i bought it and never got around to finishing reading it til tonight during rehearsal. i miss Seattle. Comictown, USA. strange d
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Read in May, 2008
I'm sort of torn about this. On the one hand, it's really nice to see Seth do something more jaunty and fun than his usual mope. On the other hand, without the angst, there just isn't that much to his work. There isn't really a story here, just fragments. Engaging fragments sometimes, sure, but just a couple weeks later I think I've already forgotten most of it. Best/ weirdest part- the terribly unflattering autobiographical character.
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Read in September, 2008
Fantastic book by a gorgeously named cartoonist, Seth blends real-life comic book lore into a series of fictional vignettes to create a masterpiece of elegant little drawings!
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I like the direction that Seth is going with small cells that basically give expressions to the words on the page. With 50 or so cells per page, you get your money's worth. The best part of the book is the comic book about hobos. I was fooled into thnking it actually existed.
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
lovers of comic books
This book tells the story of Wimbledon Green from the perspective of all those who know him or have known him or suspect that they know him. It was amusing without being too interesting.. (perhaps that isn't worded so well) At any rate, I mostly just loved the pictures in this book.
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Read in June, 2007
In Seth's introduction he says that this book is merely a diversion from his more serious work. I wish he would take more diversions. His serious work is leaden; it tries too hard for profundity. With Wimbledon Green he tries for divertisement and achieves grandeur.
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Read in August, 2007
Fun and silly, cute. If your a comics fan, or are familiar with the at times bizarre nature of the medium's more fanatical devotees, you may find this quite entertaining.
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