Abe: Wrong for All the Right Reasons

by Glenn Dakin, Eddie Campbell (Introduction)

Sporting a glowing introduction by the master of "veiled autobiography," Eddie Campbell, this graphic novel features all of Glenn Dakin's ABE stories from the British comix scene. If you're not familiar with Dakin's work, Glenn has, for the last nineteen years, been one of England's best alternative comics creators. ABE is not only regarded as a milestone in the world of fanciful autobiography, but it's a must read for fans of ALEC or anyone who's interested in astute, witty, and profound observations of life and living.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2002

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one a while ago... good one.

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the blurb says 'Godlike reflective genius'. Strikes a chord and brings tears to my eyes.

[Al McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are exactly the sort of comics that I love.

[Nitya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you think life could be better?
Yes, I do.
Then it's not just me imagining it?
No no ..
I had a dream I was dying. It was a sort of suicide.
What do you mean - sort of?
Well, I didn't care about life enough .. so death sort of overtook me ..
I was careless .. but as my soul was sinking away .. as I was disappearing - amazed at my own Final stupidiy ..
I called out ..
Give me my Life to live over again and I will live it properly!
Give me my life to live over again and I will live it RIGHT!
What did you promise?
to follow my heart
to follow the sun
and not to be worried when the tide goes out ..
to go beyond the cons and fine promises of this nice nursery school modern world.
So what are you doing now?
Well .. I'm leaving .. I have to go away first .. to give myself a chance.
You've certainly made some promises there
Give me my life to live all over again .. It's a good song
We could put some chords to it ..

[BookieWookie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get very far in this one... felt too much like a guy feeling sorry for himself. One of the comics stuck with me though... he talks about seeing an ex-girlfriend and how much she changed (though through superficial things like her taste in music) and how he's still the same, and he and a friend celebrate never changing.

I never want to be that person. I always want to be changing and growing as a human. I guess I just can't relate to the author at all and that's why this book didn't click with me.

[Kobeest · Rating 4 out of 5]

it took me a long time to get into this book, it seemed a bit to quirky and didactic...maybe even eccentric. but after a second go though, i am really taken with the message, 'sort of' a comic version of do the right thing. dankin is very witty and even though i resisted it at first, profound, in his analysis of the highest points of a--his--bungling life. i am waiting for vol. 2.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh, I didn't get that far, but nothing really made me want to read much more.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! Quirky, yes, but thought-provoking.