> open book
The book is now open.
> read book
Entitled The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade... read full description
reviews
May 28, 2010
Jamie
rated it: 
I'm a big a fan I am of the guys who make the Penny Arcade webcomic, so you can imagine that when the book tour promoting their new volume, The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade, came to my hometown I went to see them. And it was a really fun event! They got up on stage for about an hour and a half, during which Mike (the artist) sketched on a computer that was projected in front of the crowd (80% of which were wearing black tee shirts, I'd estimate) while Jerry (the writer) ran a question and answ
More...
Mar 23, 2010
Terry
rated it: 
Penny Arcade will be remembered as the Samuel Pepys of turn-of-the-century gaming. A thorough and insightful diarist of the trends, topics, culture, and well, games that mark the growth of a byzantine children's hobby to a full-fledged geek legion. Sadly, this book is a sad let down compared to the polished and exceptional product that has produced comics thrice-weekly with a regularity that you could set a clock to. These were my disappointments.
1) Discussions keep referencing the p More...
1) Discussions keep referencing the p More...
Feb 23, 2010
Tung
rated it: 
Penny Arcade is the most successful webcomic of all time, bar none, and this book chronicles the first 11 ½ years of their existence. Chapters include short bios of Penny Arcade’s creators (Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik); the origin and launch of their mega-successful charity effort, Child’s Play; the origin and launch of their annual gaming convention PAX; their favorite comics; the evolution of their business model – from no business model to a multi-million dollar enterprise; and snippets a
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 07, 2011
Chris
rated it: 
An interesting look at the webcomic phenomenon, but not as good as the books that collect the years' strips. I find Holkins' reminiscences in those editions much more succinct, not to mention hilarious.
That said - this is, as the writers say in the introduction, their attempt to document the things they did that eventually became the phenomenon the strip is today - and in that it succeeds.
I'll also agree with a lot of the other reviewers in agreeing that Mike (not Mark) K More...
That said - this is, as the writers say in the introduction, their attempt to document the things they did that eventually became the phenomenon the strip is today - and in that it succeeds.
I'll also agree with a lot of the other reviewers in agreeing that Mike (not Mark) K More...
May 23, 2010
Matt
rated it:
Pretty good book. Entertaining though not amazing as a book. I must say that I am definitely on the train and really impressed by the home run story of 2 guys who unabashedly followed their bliss (playing videogames) and writing/drawing comics to (relative) super stardom. Along the way they created a charity that donates $1,000,000.00/year to hospitals so kids can play games while they're stuck in the hospital and created their annual PAX convention that is now the largest gaming convention in t
More...
Mar 06, 2010
Schnaucl
rated it:
This was a really fascinating book to read. While there are some comics, the book is really all about how Penny Arcade came to be the phenomenon that it is. The book includes details on PAX, Child's Play, the main characters from the series, the creators and how it all began.
Reading the book I came away with the distinct impression that Penny Arcade is what it is partly from talent but partly from sheer luck.
It really is a fascinating read and I'd recommend it to anyone More...
Reading the book I came away with the distinct impression that Penny Arcade is what it is partly from talent but partly from sheer luck.
It really is a fascinating read and I'd recommend it to anyone More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 22, 2010
Alex
rated it:
Approximately 11 ½ years ago, two four-eyed nerds decided to start a web-comic about video games. They met in high school, in journalism class: Jerry Holkins had a penchant for putting words together, while Mike Krahulik liked to doodle. They found common ground in their nerdage and enjoyment of video games. After a couple of comic book attempts, they settled on a web-comic involving two guys talking, bitching, ridiculing, and loving video games, video game systems, and the whole world of vid
More...
Jun 06, 2010
Thomas
rated it:
Great comics and several detailed essays remind us all what an amazing culture phenomenon Penny Arcade is. Well worth reading to learn the behind the scenes details of what it was like at the first PAX and how Robert Khoo saved the business of Mike and Jerry putting jpegs out on the web. I've been reading them since they started and it's great to see them make the milestone of 11 1/2 years. GO GO Penny Arcade!
Jul 15, 2010
Blake
rated it:
One of my favorite on line comic books. This book is awesome in that it shows you how it all started, how they penciled, inked, and digitally colored this hilarious on line cartoon. Loved this book. Also, loved how they showed how the art changed over the years.
Jun 21, 2010
Clare
rated it:
If you’re a fan of Penny Arcade, The Splendid Magic of Penny Arcade is an interesting, if limited, look at behind-the-scenes and most of the madness Penny Arcade has spawned. If you’re not a fan, you need to start somewhere else- like the first comic!
Jan 07, 2011
Iain
rated it:
This is a bit of a mish-mash of a book - part biography, part documentary, part comic book. It is the story of the hugely successful webcomic Penny Arcade. It is unsurprisingly a book full of beautiful artwork, and if you are a fan of the comic, it makes for essential reading.
Aug 23, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
This was an extremely entertaining, beautifully laid-out book. If you are a fan of Penny-Arcade, i throughly recommend it. It's a fun, if perhaps slightly too brief, retrospective.
Mar 01, 2010
Bianca
rated it:
Clearly created for fans. If you don't already know the comics, this book isn't for you. If you already love the comics, then this is a delightful look into the history of Penny Arcade.
Apr 01, 2010
I want to try to read this before we go to PAX at the end of the month so I'm up on all my PA knowledge. I'm hoping we can get it autographed too!
Feb 09, 2012
Jan 22, 2012
Jan 14, 2012
Jan 14, 2012
Jan 08, 2012
Dec 19, 2011
