Funny Misshapen Body is the story of Jeffrey Brown's evolution as a cartoonist, from his youthful obsession with superhero comics to his di...
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Apr 05, 2009
karen
rated it: 
well well well...jeffrey brown is all growed up now! this book is all glossy and fancy... and very little about saddish relationships! this one is more about art and "finding oneself" as an artist , but in a way that isnt melodramatic and self-aggrandizing, which is refreshing. (from an artist, not from jeffrey brown - i dont think he has ever been self-aggrandizing in his life)so a big thumbs-up, especially to the little wooden shoe store, and the artist with the pinata. and paul horn
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Feb 06, 2011
Idleprimate
rated it:
Funny Misshapen Body delivered not just the Brown I love, but a more mature and reflective Brown. A balance of stories, in his usual anti-chronological way that swirl together to create a full novelistic image of people, places and developments, working with new themes, and yet tied to the old and magnifying the scope of his storytelling.
There’s also a greater range in the artwork, combining the early simple scrawl with the burdened later ink. We see the rest of Brown’s protagonist More...
There’s also a greater range in the artwork, combining the early simple scrawl with the burdened later ink. We see the rest of Brown’s protagonist More...
Jun 03, 2011
Kyle
rated it: 
I’m so glad there are books like Funny Misshapen Body! Jeffrey Brown takes what normally would be tragic (chronic diseases, poor confidence around the other sex and pretentious art grad smugness) and makes these comic. Anyone, for example, who has or has had a chronic illness/disease knows they can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and require a lot of medical attention. Brown focuses on scenarios that are as much laughable or comic as they are tragic. He shows us that it is okay that we laugh for
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Jan 13, 2010
Ian
rated it:
I didn't even know this existed until I stumbled upon a copy of it at Half Price Books. Like Little Things, Jeffrey Brown has realized that he can't write relationship books for the rest of his life and he's better for it. Well, I'm not sure about that, but it's a refreshing read and a great portrait of Jeffrey Brown as artist, his beginnings, and everything that led him to publishing excellent graphic novels (with just a couple exceptions). His art has improved a bunch, drawing influence from Y
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Sep 03, 2010
Sharon
rated it:
It is certainly to Jeffrey Brown's credit that he can critically examine the most embarrassing details of his life and share them on paper in what appears to be a refreshingly honest way. And the fact that those details are about his anxieties creating art and finding his artistic path seem to speak almost to an older and wiser Brown than his stories about early relationships.
I really enjoyed seeing Brown's evolution as an artist, his challenges with binge drinking and Crohn's Diseas More...
I really enjoyed seeing Brown's evolution as an artist, his challenges with binge drinking and Crohn's Diseas More...
Jun 18, 2010
Bill
rated it:
The creators of most autobiographical comics try so hard to Say Something Meaningful. They navelgaze, they pontificate, but mostly they try too damn hard. Jeffrey Brown's autobio comics, on the other hand, just tell simple stories about his life. If he's Trying To Say Something, it certainly doesn't come across that way, and if there's any Capital-M Meaning to be found, he leaves it to us to find it on our own. I appreciate that approach. I find it truly distasteful when a creator of any ty
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Apr 01, 2011
Emily
rated it:
It's a weird thing to read Jeffrey Brown talking about more than just his awkward or failed relationships. Don't get me wrong -- I love him for that. This feels more mature somehow, though. It was really interesting to read about how his life develops through the lens of different aspects of it: friends, health, living situations, school. It was encouraging while also bringing some sense of closure to everything (ie Jeffrey Brown is ok even though girls have hurt him).
Dec 30, 2009
Chris
rated it:
Although I'm still not a huge fan of his tendency toward "apologizing" for his stories' lack of continuity, I enjoyed Funny Misshapen Body far more than the author's last graphic novel. It was nice to see Brown tell stories that seemingly exist on the edges of his previous books, and I thought the sections on his growth as an artist were really interesting. I wasn't the biggest fan of Little Things, so this was a fun return to form.
Mar 06, 2011
Rick
rated it:
This book is where I felt Jeffrey Brown really hit his stride. The stories were just as personal, but somehow less 'sulky' if you'll forgive the pun. Down the very city he came from, to the art schools he test drove, this one really hit me personally. Perhaps more so because it deals with his early choices in becoming a cartoonist coming from Michigan and the inevitable experimentation with drugs, art, and friendships.
Aug 12, 2009
Earline
rated it:
wow. I can never get enough of horrible/hilarious stories about art school. I wish Jeffrey Brown was in my MFA program with me so we could hate art and worship Chris Ware together. yeah I'm super jealous of Jeff and his Chris Ware-ness.. I LOVED that jumping out of a window comment.
the only reason I'm not giving it a 5/5 is because I just wish it was a little more focused.. also I didn't like the cop-out ending.
the only reason I'm not giving it a 5/5 is because I just wish it was a little more focused.. also I didn't like the cop-out ending.
Aug 23, 2010
Jim
rated it:
I enjoyed this book as much as the previous Jeffrey Brown book (Little Things).
In this book there were a lot of stories about art school and his development into a graphic memoirist. He also discusses his battle with Chrone's Disease.
At the end of the book, he answers some frequently answered questions, which I found fun and interesting.
I will definitely being reading more by Jeffrey Brown.
In this book there were a lot of stories about art school and his development into a graphic memoirist. He also discusses his battle with Chrone's Disease.
At the end of the book, he answers some frequently answered questions, which I found fun and interesting.
I will definitely being reading more by Jeffrey Brown.
Oct 07, 2009
D.J.
rated it:
Jeffrey Brown has become one of my favorite comic creators. Deceptively simple, scratchy line work and quiet, observational journaling of his life makes for some great reading. Dealing with his college years, Crohne's disease, drinking, breaking into comics -- a lot of ground is covered. Just a very likeable creator who makes very likeable books.
Oct 25, 2009
Emilia
rated it:
Finally, Jeff!
A reasonably coherent collection of stories that are actually about your life and not just about dames and help us understand how you got to where you are so you could tell all those stories about dames. Crohn's disease, college, working at the wooden shoe store, dabbling in drugs just a little bit. This is actually probably a great place to start on Jeff, so you don't feel quite so unanchored reading earlier stuff. Which, I guess, at this point might be worth a re-read. I'm More...
A reasonably coherent collection of stories that are actually about your life and not just about dames and help us understand how you got to where you are so you could tell all those stories about dames. Crohn's disease, college, working at the wooden shoe store, dabbling in drugs just a little bit. This is actually probably a great place to start on Jeff, so you don't feel quite so unanchored reading earlier stuff. Which, I guess, at this point might be worth a re-read. I'm More...
Jul 26, 2009
Luis
rated it:
I'd only read a few pages of Jeffrey Brown's page in anthologies like the Best American series. Reading his memoir Funny Misshapen Body, which is mainly focused on his love for comics and how he came to work in them, was truly a moving experience.
In these pages Brown recounts his first encounter with the world of sequential art, his growing interest in the medium, the ritual of visiting comic book stores, meeting comic book authors, drawing and the art-school environment. Intertwine More...
In these pages Brown recounts his first encounter with the world of sequential art, his growing interest in the medium, the ritual of visiting comic book stores, meeting comic book authors, drawing and the art-school environment. Intertwine More...
Jun 03, 2009
Brandon
rated it:
I loved each and every panel, beat and nuance of this book. I look for his books at every visit to the comic shop. I got lucky this time. I win. Boy do I ever. Perfect (ironically) read. Recommend.
Full Disclosure: Jeff and I went to the same high school. Seeing my old math teacher's obnoxious mustache again was a treat! Thanks, Jeff!
Full Disclosure: Jeff and I went to the same high school. Seeing my old math teacher's obnoxious mustache again was a treat! Thanks, Jeff!
Dec 18, 2009
Jason
rated it:
Inspiring- it seems like there are a few of these cases out there where artists buck the system to some degree and create success for themselves, despite a lack of encouragement. It also illustrates how importatn networking is as well. Reminds me of Julia Wertz's story (Fart Paty) somewhat.
Jun 14, 2009
Tania
rated it:
Jeffery Brown is one of my favorite cartoonists, and every time I've met him he's been really nice. His memoirs are witty, but also easy to connect to. In this one, he focuses on how he went from being an art grad who did "serious" paintings to a cartoonist. It's really interesting and made me realize that I don't take my writing as seriously as I should. I need to focus more on it, and work hard on it; he went through so many failures before he truly found his own craft and style. Fi
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May 26, 2009
Stephanie
rated it: 
Did anyone else think that Jeffrey Brown seemed really stubborn and pretentious in this? Especially when he refuses to accept criticism from anyone commenting on his work? I felt like this book was just a big "fuck you, look where I am now" to the previous haters in his life.
Apr 15, 2011
Bruce713
rated it:
I love the story of how he became a published artist! It's inspiring and he had bumps along the way and I could totally relate to trying to find what you like in life. Funny and embarrassing moments about body issues came up and I totally sympathized with him.
Jan 13, 2010
Peacegal
rated it: 
Here's another offering in the graphic-novel-as-cathartic-memoir genre. While I didn't enjoy this book as much as I have some others in this vein, I appreciated the artist's willingness to document the messiness and heartache of his relationships with others.
Aug 09, 2011
Tom
rated it:
Brown keeps getting better and better in terms of his pacing and artwork. It could just be that this particular volume had an incredible amount of items that correlated pretty accurately to my own life, but I also think he's becoming more and more assured in his efforts. Good stuff.
Apr 12, 2009
Jasmine
rated it:
I am proud to be supporting Jeffrey Brown's lack of a day job. The book is about old things, but old new things that haven't been discussed much. it is a fun read, and although higher priced then clumsy, still quite worthwhile.
Go buy it.
Go buy it.
Apr 14, 2009
Michael
rated it:
Having read most of Jeffrey Brown's work, it was great to get a "behind-the-scenes" look at his life leading up to his comics. I really enjoyed the book, it was pretty funny, and inspired me to get my own ass in gear with my own work.
Apr 19, 2009
Abbey
rated it:
alright, so i generally devour every jeffrey brown comic ever made, but this one...wow! every page is utterly engaging, fantastically written and drawn, and brown's honesty is so inspiring. READ THIS BOOK. immediately. you will not be disappointed. long live jeffrey brown! and may he please continue to release brilliant comics.
May 04, 2009
Amy
rated it:
Loved it! It made me want to get out there and create some art. I'm always amazed at how forthcoming Brown is - he doesn't hold anything back, which I think is really brave. Looking forward to the next one!
Jun 08, 2009
C.
rated it:
An autobiographical graphic novel about the writer's development as an artist. The art is rough and immediate and the intelligent look at artistic process saves the book from preciousness and solipsistic indie comic cliches.
Nov 03, 2009
It's no Cat Getting Out of a Bag, but still good. A bit of a meditation on how art needs to be fun on some level or it's impossible to keep making it (or you just start drinking a lot).
Jun 29, 2011
Addie
rated it:
Very cute, heartfelt, honest, funny memoir told in a graphic novel format. His illustrations are very simple, black and white sketches, and they fit his quirky tale perfectly.
Aug 08, 2009
Carolee
rated it:
I bought this when I was in Portland for the weekend, and read the entire thing while traversing the city on the bus. I nearly missed my stop several times. It's just that good.
Mar 25, 2011
Nicole
rated it: 
I didn't like the "if this book didn't make sense to you, maybe it's not Supposed To" vibe of this book.
I have more to say but I will hold my tongue. I expected more.
I have more to say but I will hold my tongue. I expected more.
