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The Li'l Depressed Boy #1
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Collecting the first four issues of the series that Multiversity Comics says is "[C]rafted so perfectly that it made me smile to no end." When the Li'l Depressed Boy meets a strange girl, she drags him from his self-seclusion into a world of style-points bowling, zombie fighting, laser tag battles, punk rock concerts, and house parties. What will he do to learn her name? What will be her perfect birthday gift? How do you eat fried rice without chopsticks?
Collecting: The Li'l Depressed Boy 1-4
Collecting: The Li'l Depressed Boy 1-4
26 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 27, 2014
Remember that dire time about 10 years ago when indie movies were everywhere? Movies like Napoleon Dynamite and Garden State ponged up movie screens everywhere with their emo, precious crap, and Zooey Deschanel built her career on the backs of breeches ’n ’dungaree wearing hipsters with curly mustaches by being their Ultimate Manic Pixie Dream Girl - see her Apple commercial for maximum irritation!
Li’l Depressed Boy is the comic book version of an Indie Movie. Our literal sad sack “hero” (he is a beany doll walking around in obscure band tees) meets a Manic Pixie Dream Girl and the two… fall in love? Even though there’s nothing this girl would find attractive about this mopey, self-absorbed personality vacuum. Whatever.
They go for a meal and even though she looks like a runway model all we see her eat are burgers, fries and cookies because “cool girls” eat like crap and remain rail thin - they don’t show the bulimia she most definitely has because that’s too real, right?
She holds a fry like a cigarette. They go see some obscure band play in an obscure club or basement or something. They talk about playing zombie tag, flying glow in the dark kites, going to arcades and bowling - these are twenty-somethings, I think.
She reads comics because she’s a “cool girl”, they try clothes on in a thrift store - they don’t even know each others names yet, how romantic!. They pretend they’re in a zombie movie, they play “style bowling”.
I’m sorry, I can’t go on. It just becomes overwhelmingly annoying.
These hipster twits and their posing, their bullshit, and every single they do, were too much for me. This book is a mere four issues long but I had to stop after issue two when she reveals her name is Jazz (!!) because I couldn’t take how twee it all was.
Look at us, we’re cool, we’re amazing, we’re… not real people.
Li’l Depressed Boy is an incredibly obnoxious hipster comic about hipsters. The ironic thing is hipsters who read comics won’t read this, they’ll read Justice League or something awful and corny because that’s a hipster-ish thing to do. And y’know what? Green freakin’ Lantern comes across as a more grounded character than these cartoons!
Zach Braff’ll probably turn this into another one of his terrible movies.
Fuck this book so much!
Li’l Depressed Boy is the comic book version of an Indie Movie. Our literal sad sack “hero” (he is a beany doll walking around in obscure band tees) meets a Manic Pixie Dream Girl and the two… fall in love? Even though there’s nothing this girl would find attractive about this mopey, self-absorbed personality vacuum. Whatever.
They go for a meal and even though she looks like a runway model all we see her eat are burgers, fries and cookies because “cool girls” eat like crap and remain rail thin - they don’t show the bulimia she most definitely has because that’s too real, right?
She holds a fry like a cigarette. They go see some obscure band play in an obscure club or basement or something. They talk about playing zombie tag, flying glow in the dark kites, going to arcades and bowling - these are twenty-somethings, I think.
She reads comics because she’s a “cool girl”, they try clothes on in a thrift store - they don’t even know each others names yet, how romantic!. They pretend they’re in a zombie movie, they play “style bowling”.
I’m sorry, I can’t go on. It just becomes overwhelmingly annoying.
These hipster twits and their posing, their bullshit, and every single they do, were too much for me. This book is a mere four issues long but I had to stop after issue two when she reveals her name is Jazz (!!) because I couldn’t take how twee it all was.
Look at us, we’re cool, we’re amazing, we’re… not real people.
Li’l Depressed Boy is an incredibly obnoxious hipster comic about hipsters. The ironic thing is hipsters who read comics won’t read this, they’ll read Justice League or something awful and corny because that’s a hipster-ish thing to do. And y’know what? Green freakin’ Lantern comes across as a more grounded character than these cartoons!
Zach Braff’ll probably turn this into another one of his terrible movies.
Fuck this book so much!
July 5, 2017
A fun quick read.
I had a feeling that Jazmin girl was trouble.
Too good to be true.
I had a feeling that Jazmin girl was trouble.
Too good to be true.
July 26, 2014
Emo Scarecrow meets Manic Pixie Dream Girl! She likes Comics and Games and The Right Music! She has All the Good Tattoos!
But also she has A BOYFRIEND.
Emo Scarecrow must now battle the Evilest Foe Of All -- THE FRIENDZONE.
Reminding us all that Dream Girls Are Magic, Until They're Bitches Who Don't Put Out.
But also she has A BOYFRIEND.
Emo Scarecrow must now battle the Evilest Foe Of All -- THE FRIENDZONE.
Reminding us all that Dream Girls Are Magic, Until They're Bitches Who Don't Put Out.
October 12, 2014
A good start. But little to differentiate LDB from other indie comics angsty twenty-somethings at this point.
February 25, 2012
Li’l depressed boy (LDB) lives a lonely life reading books and playing computer games. He decides to stop feeling sorry for himself and get out of the house, that’s when he meets “Weird Girl”. She takes him out in to the world and his life begins to change.
The set up may feel a little familiar, blending elements of lots of other stories but the execution is completely unique. It’s sweet, funny and sometimes silly but any time it threatens to get too much we are given a moment of real heartfelt honesty. These moments are dealt with very subtly which only makes them more effective. In fact the writing as a whole is very subtle. S. Steven Struble uses very little dialogue instead letting the artwork speak for itself and leaving plenty of room for each moment to resonate with the reader.
Sina Grace’s artwork is very well designed, falling halfway between cartoony and realistic. He draws clothing particularly well. Each outfit is well thought out and really looks like something that people wear. The most interesting artistic choice made here is to portray LDB as a rag doll with fabric skin. This really sets him apart from the rest of the world and establishes him as an outsider. Also his simple but expressive facial features really heighten the emotion of every scene.
I really enjoyed The Li’l Depressed Boy, it’s one of the most unique and purely enjoyable comics that I’ve read for a while.
For more of my reviews please visit http://www.scruffyfiction.co.uk
The set up may feel a little familiar, blending elements of lots of other stories but the execution is completely unique. It’s sweet, funny and sometimes silly but any time it threatens to get too much we are given a moment of real heartfelt honesty. These moments are dealt with very subtly which only makes them more effective. In fact the writing as a whole is very subtle. S. Steven Struble uses very little dialogue instead letting the artwork speak for itself and leaving plenty of room for each moment to resonate with the reader.
Sina Grace’s artwork is very well designed, falling halfway between cartoony and realistic. He draws clothing particularly well. Each outfit is well thought out and really looks like something that people wear. The most interesting artistic choice made here is to portray LDB as a rag doll with fabric skin. This really sets him apart from the rest of the world and establishes him as an outsider. Also his simple but expressive facial features really heighten the emotion of every scene.
I really enjoyed The Li’l Depressed Boy, it’s one of the most unique and purely enjoyable comics that I’ve read for a while.
For more of my reviews please visit http://www.scruffyfiction.co.uk
September 6, 2012
Loved Scott Pilgrim but wished that there was more focus on music and utterly crushing sadness? Do you also wish it didn't take place in Canada? Well then, I highly recommend this graphic novel. The story is about a music geek living in West Texas who is unbelievably lonely. He falls for a girl who is (unsurprisingly) already in a relationship, and must deal with the crazy amount of tension that happens between them. I loved how realistic the emotions and scenarios play out. Struble accurately puts into paper what these kind of guys feel. I also loved, loved, loved how the art style would change; on one particular page, it would turn into Peanuts strip. There are many moments of tenderness, and of course, many cathartic moments as well. I scoffed when my friend told me that this story was about me, but in the end, I realized, that this story is about any guy who had their heart broken without ever even being in a relationship, and that's pretty much all of us, especially if you're a fan of folk punk.
February 14, 2020
I guess it is no surprise that I felt depressed when I finished this one. I would read more though.
June 21, 2017
A really great start to what I'm sure is an overall engaging series. It feels fairly simplistic in its storytelling devices, and time can jump panel to panel, but once you realize that's happening it's not confusing.
Sina Grace has his signature edgy yet welcoming tone, an aspect that I feel reflects Li'l Depressed Boy's world: standoffish, but wanting to let you in.
Great expository volume with a twist in the final two pages that left me a li'l torn up.
Sina Grace has his signature edgy yet welcoming tone, an aspect that I feel reflects Li'l Depressed Boy's world: standoffish, but wanting to let you in.
Great expository volume with a twist in the final two pages that left me a li'l torn up.
July 1, 2019
Picked this up on sale at my local comic shop based off the design of LDB. The art in this book is great and some of the layouts in this volume were actually pretty impressive. However, the writing was overall pretty poor. The dialogue ranges from quality to passable to straight up cringe and the pacing of the story is down right awful. Characters just pop up and pop out of the story with no explanation or introduction and everyone but LDB is annoying and poorly written. The book tries hard to be quirky and is chock full of pop culture references that don’t land. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book and I’m likely not going to pick up the other volumes.
2/10
2/10
August 26, 2022
I picked this up because I assumed from the title that it would deal with depression. It doesn't--at least not in this collected edition of the first four issues. I actually liked the references to various alt/indie musicians but I agree that the manic pixie dream girl stuff hurts to read. I get the feeling that this volume is the set-up for the depression, since the main character learns at the end of the book that his object of affection already has a boyfriend. Because of the heavy use of tropes, I find it hard to want to read volume 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2021
I am not sure how I came across this comic but I had been searching for comics that involve music and this one did have a few songs written within the text or as part of the drawings. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed the story though so, I will be grabbing the other volumes from the library!
December 16, 2024
The story jumps around a lot, but in a very smooth kind of way, that reminds me of the way Edgar Wright does transitions in his films (which are flawless, btw). Love LDB as a person, he seems super chill. Stoked to read the next volume!
March 25, 2018
Endearing and earnest as LDB navigates a relationship with a cool girl whose name he does not know.
November 17, 2018
LDB is cute, and the story's not bad, and it's very relatable in a number of ways, but the cliched "sad boi is uplifted by manic pixie dream girl" story is already overplayed.
December 17, 2018
Relateable characters and story.
July 7, 2021
It was good, just not my particular cup of tea.
April 15, 2025
Yes, it's a 2000s Manic Pixie Dream Girl slice-of-life filled with music and video game references. No, it's not Scott Pilgrim. Yes, I'm still eating it with a spoon.
May 16, 2022
I really liked the nostalgic vibe and melancholic aesthetic of this story. I can totally see Volume 1 of Li'l Depressed Boy as a standalone, f**ked up looking, hyperrealistic, super stylized animated movie on Netflix or in theaters. The ending was edgy and extremely memorable.
I have yet to read past the Jazmin arc but from what I've seen, I'm not looking forward to it because it seems like her role in the story becomes increasingly limited over time. Although I actually think her reduced screen time does wonders for securing her legendary status as the Manic Pixie Dream Girl because characters that don't appear in every episode are just cooler than everybody else. A part of me thinks the franchise could have ended here because they were such an iconic duo but I'd still like to see it continue.
Cost: -$5
Tier list: B
I have yet to read past the Jazmin arc but from what I've seen, I'm not looking forward to it because it seems like her role in the story becomes increasingly limited over time. Although I actually think her reduced screen time does wonders for securing her legendary status as the Manic Pixie Dream Girl because characters that don't appear in every episode are just cooler than everybody else. A part of me thinks the franchise could have ended here because they were such an iconic duo but I'd still like to see it continue.
Cost: -$5
Tier list: B
June 26, 2012
It feels weird reviewing a comic. Anyway.
This is incredibly readable (maybe due to the fact there's not really much text to read) but it lacks the punch to make me want to recommend it. Story wise, it's pretty bare. Not much happens in an issue but like I said, still very readable. I could easily see myself getting through a trillion issues in a go without realising. I do find it a little jumpy however. Scenes transition with no indication which had me a little confused at first. I also find the issues a little short and they end before I could fully get my teeth into them.
The art is nothing special. I didn't find myself lingering on any pages, soaking up the art, but it works for the story. I especially love how LBD is illustrated. His sack boy state somehow heightens whatever emotion he's feeling. LBD is a pretty likeable character. He starts off kind of bland (understandably) but shows more personality as the story progresses. I'm not too keen on the lead girl whose name I won't reveal. She seems a little too much of a shy, nerdy boy's wet dream - a confident, smart, artsy girl who approaches them and drags them around doing all these fun things. Does that happen in real life?If so, I'm waiting for a confident, smart, artsy boy to come up to me in a laundrette and take me bowling. She also seems really unaware of other peoples emotions. She reminds me a little of Summer in (500) days of Summer. I can totally see why guys would go crazy for her but me, I'm not feeling it. I wouldn't want to be her friend.
This book has me so conflicted. I enjoy reading it, but I don't really know why. I enjoy all the little nerdy references, and it has sweet moments, but the humour falls pretty flat for me and I don't overly like the characters. So why am I desperate to read more!?
I give it 3.5/5.
This is incredibly readable (maybe due to the fact there's not really much text to read) but it lacks the punch to make me want to recommend it. Story wise, it's pretty bare. Not much happens in an issue but like I said, still very readable. I could easily see myself getting through a trillion issues in a go without realising. I do find it a little jumpy however. Scenes transition with no indication which had me a little confused at first. I also find the issues a little short and they end before I could fully get my teeth into them.
The art is nothing special. I didn't find myself lingering on any pages, soaking up the art, but it works for the story. I especially love how LBD is illustrated. His sack boy state somehow heightens whatever emotion he's feeling. LBD is a pretty likeable character. He starts off kind of bland (understandably) but shows more personality as the story progresses. I'm not too keen on the lead girl whose name I won't reveal. She seems a little too much of a shy, nerdy boy's wet dream - a confident, smart, artsy girl who approaches them and drags them around doing all these fun things. Does that happen in real life?
This book has me so conflicted. I enjoy reading it, but I don't really know why. I enjoy all the little nerdy references, and it has sweet moments, but the humour falls pretty flat for me and I don't overly like the characters. So why am I desperate to read more!?
I give it 3.5/5.
March 24, 2012
2/2 for artwork. It's not "pretty" or anything, but it just made me smile. I LOVED how he was a doll, and when he smiled or frowned, it was really such a powerfully simple thing. It's not a unique style I think, I'd find it in other graphic novels maybe, but it's a style I like, with unique characters and clothing and a sketchy feel to it. It's not too complicated, something I'm thankful for in a graphic novel sometimes.
3/3 for plot/characters/overall awesomeness: Ok, I won't lie--anything that has video game references that I actually understand, with simple jokes about life, etc. I'm bound to like. It wasn't "depressing" at all. I thought that it was funny, sweet, and I think I'll read it again soon since it took only a few minutes. Honestly, this is going to go in my favorites for when I'm feeling down. I thought all the characters were funny--the main character who we can all relate to, kinda nerdy, falls for the girl; the girl, whom is incredibly spunky and wild and overall nuts who quickly befriends the main character; the girl's roommate who is actually a pretty cool guy who also befriends boy; etc. etc.
It kinda reminds me of John Green...therefore...<3 <3 <3 it.
3/3 for plot/characters/overall awesomeness: Ok, I won't lie--anything that has video game references that I actually understand, with simple jokes about life, etc. I'm bound to like. It wasn't "depressing" at all. I thought that it was funny, sweet, and I think I'll read it again soon since it took only a few minutes. Honestly, this is going to go in my favorites for when I'm feeling down. I thought all the characters were funny--the main character who we can all relate to, kinda nerdy, falls for the girl; the girl, whom is incredibly spunky and wild and overall nuts who quickly befriends the main character; the girl's roommate who is actually a pretty cool guy who also befriends boy; etc. etc.
It kinda reminds me of John Green...therefore...<3 <3 <3 it.
November 26, 2013
This is the second great portrayal of depression that I've seen in a comic lately (the first is Alex + Ada). Just like it is hard to explain the complete apathy that often consumes me, the avoiding of everything just so that I don't have to do anything, it is hard to explain how satisfying it is to encounter someone or something that gets it. Li'l Depressed Boy gets it and also plays through the emotional ups and downs that hit that much harder because they have to break through apathy first.
I am sad that I didn't pick up every volume of this comic while I was standing in front of the booth at Austin Comic Con.
I am sad that I didn't pick up every volume of this comic while I was standing in front of the booth at Austin Comic Con.
June 11, 2014
If you've ever been depressed, then the title of this book might be appealing to you. I picked this up at a comicon, having heard about it before, I was curious. I figured it would be cool to have a comic character I can relate to and I was so taken aback by the storyline. Very well done. Very beautifully written and drawn. I can't wait to read more in this series. I mean, how many of us have been in similar situations as LDB? Where everything feels as though it's going swimmingly, perfectly and then the other shoes drops. That's what reading this comic was like. Having everything going perfect, until the last few pages where it all crumbles. That's life. This was amazing.
September 5, 2011
set within the same rock music/quoting movies/refrencing videogame/sub-culture universe as Scott Pilgrim, but that's about where the comparisons stop. this is a far more mellow and contemplative tale...about a odd nerd boy who falls for a cool-haired stylish girl (okay, THAT's the end of the Pilgrim comparisons). although i found the surprise that came towards the end of this book extremely predictable, it's the journey that hooked me and not the destination. it's unique and funny and heartfelt and honest. and the art is fantastic.
July 13, 2011
Points for the author if the title is a reference to the Polaris song. I'm just kind of tired of graphic novels where the storyline is about being depressed and needing a girlfriend. I couldn't stand Jeffrey Brown until he started drawing cats and robots. Then he became a bit more original. There's potential here- I like the characters... it's just the overall premise that annoys me. I would read more, though.
May 11, 2015
A young man so depressed that he apparently sees himself as a primitive doodle meets a young woman who is vibrant and full of life and (stereotypically) cool. The beginning of this book is so happy you start to wonder about the title...but you get the feeling there's going to be a crushing blow at the end. And of course there is. The loser loses again...because, well, it's right there in his name.
March 15, 2012
I loved this book up until the last issue when it decides to punch you straight in the gut-heart. The story is all too relate-able and the main character a literal blank slate for which to impose your own perceptions upon. I have watched Sina grow as an artist for years now and continue to be impressed with his progress. Needless to say I cannot wait for more!
September 3, 2015
Yes! This is more like it.
After starting with the disappointing volume 0, I was reluctant to dive into volume 1. However, this has been fantastic...it still features frustration over misunderstood connections, but the colour, the dialogue and references just feel more organic - less angst. The bonus features of artwork and a paper craft LDB at the back makes this worth a purchase.
After starting with the disappointing volume 0, I was reluctant to dive into volume 1. However, this has been fantastic...it still features frustration over misunderstood connections, but the colour, the dialogue and references just feel more organic - less angst. The bonus features of artwork and a paper craft LDB at the back makes this worth a purchase.
October 29, 2014
One of my friends *adores* this series and I have no idea why I was so reluctant to read it. Interesting premise so far -- I like how LDB is a doll, maybe because he's depressed and doesn't feel entirely present/human? I'm interested to see how things pan out, although I'm not a huge fan of Weird Girl.
July 29, 2015
LDB tries to push himself out of his self-imposed lonely routine and meets a vibrant woman he falls madly in love with despite not even asking her name for several dates. This is an all over meh, after hearing good things about this. Why did she even like him, he never exhibited a personality? And she just seemed to exist to be his dream person, which sucks. I liked Jet, though.
February 11, 2012
Good story in the vein of Garden State. The first TPB really seems to just set the foundation for the rest of the series coming. If your local library carries it, definitely check it out. Otherwise, 10 bucks isn't too bad a deal for a decent story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews