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The Simpsons Library of Wisdom
Comic Book Guy's Book of Pop Culture: Simpsons Library of Wisdom
Comic Book Guy's Book of Pop Culture is an all–new book from the ongoing The Simpsons Library of Wisdom. Allow the portly proprietor of 'The Android's Dungeon and Baseball Card Shop' to guide you through the ins and outs, the fast food takeouts, online dates, things he hates, Wonder Woman dreams, internet schemes, chick flicks, Kung Fu kicks, gaming freaks, fan boy geeks, comic books, condescending looks, Tolkien's Middle Earth, his own middle girth, and every other aspect of pop culture from his own expertly acerbic point of view. Comic Book Guy's Book of Pop Culture – it's the worst, we mean . the best book ever! In The Simpsons Library of Wisdom, Matt Groening, the creator of 'The Simpsons', offers an ongoing series of portable and quotable books that will eliminate the need for all religions and philosophies, exalt man's role in the universe and make the world a better place ... sort of. No other television show in history has commented so freely and so humorously on modern times, and there seems to be no end in sight for the sharp satire and pointed parody that 'The Simpsons' serves up every night of the week all around the world.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2005
About the author
Matt Groening
1,092 books441 followersMatthew Abram Groening is an American cartoonist, television producer and writer from Portland, Oregon.
Groening is best known as the creator of The Simpsons. He is also the creator of Futurama and the author of the weekly comic strip Life in Hell. Groening distributed Life in Hell in the book corner of Licorice Pizza, a record store in which he worked.
He made his first professional cartoon sale to the avant-garde Wet magazine in 1978. The cartoon is still carried in 250 weekly newspapers.
Groening is best known as the creator of The Simpsons. He is also the creator of Futurama and the author of the weekly comic strip Life in Hell. Groening distributed Life in Hell in the book corner of Licorice Pizza, a record store in which he worked.
He made his first professional cartoon sale to the avant-garde Wet magazine in 1978. The cartoon is still carried in 250 weekly newspapers.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 2, 2021
I mean (I blushed), it's not like I really read this thing! There are teenaged nerds in this house pandemic binge-watching every existing Simpson's show in history who got this out of the library, I swear. I just wanted to take a break to see what the rabble, the urchins, are reading as I struggle heroically through my sad, tattered copy of Dostoevsky's The Idiot.
To the unwashed, the lost: Comic Book Guy IS not an idiot! Like the trailer guys in the X-Files, who are very smart and obsessed nerds, Comic Book Guy is a very smart nerd, who runs The Android's Dungeon and Baseball Card Shop, is a character created by Simpson's creator Matt Groening, and he knows a little bit of esoteric information about lots of things. This book amounts to a kind of glimpse into his remarkable mind, to guide you through pop culture. He has no real social skills, but he has opinions about everything: The best fast food takeout dives, online dating, baseball cards, dreams he has of Wonder Woman, minutiae only Tolkien geeks know about Middle Earth, gaming, tv shows, all kinds of movies, the size of his stomach, all in lists. Oh and all you never wanted to know about comic books, of course! Not that I actually read it! Not that I have anything in common with this loser! I'm not an idiot! Now back to Dostoevsky! (Washes hands after merely touching book).
To the unwashed, the lost: Comic Book Guy IS not an idiot! Like the trailer guys in the X-Files, who are very smart and obsessed nerds, Comic Book Guy is a very smart nerd, who runs The Android's Dungeon and Baseball Card Shop, is a character created by Simpson's creator Matt Groening, and he knows a little bit of esoteric information about lots of things. This book amounts to a kind of glimpse into his remarkable mind, to guide you through pop culture. He has no real social skills, but he has opinions about everything: The best fast food takeout dives, online dating, baseball cards, dreams he has of Wonder Woman, minutiae only Tolkien geeks know about Middle Earth, gaming, tv shows, all kinds of movies, the size of his stomach, all in lists. Oh and all you never wanted to know about comic books, of course! Not that I actually read it! Not that I have anything in common with this loser! I'm not an idiot! Now back to Dostoevsky! (Washes hands after merely touching book).
October 18, 2023
BEST BOOK EVER! But seriously - I have been into comics for a very long time - and CBG is so relatable to me! I have friends who are just like him; guys that have become immersed in so deeply in animei/comics/gaming/manga/si-fi/fantasy - that their whole life revolves around it! CBG is a great character that deserves his own ongoing series!
March 4, 2022
I am one of the very few people who have never watched ‘The Simpsons’, and my serious comic reading days are at least 40 years behind me (still occasionally read comics and graphic novels when they are recommended to me). However, I love ‘Big Bang Theory’, and the character of Stuart, the comic store owner, so thought this book might be fun.
I actually was surprised at how many of the references I managed to understand – my early years of comics, love of Sci Fi books and TV, and many nerd male friends holding me in good stead. Yes, there is a lot of objectification of women, poor personal hygiene and excessive amounts of fast food – but remember, this is written by a fictional figure, and – to my mind – who is inviting the reader to see him as a (somewhat harmless) loser. After all, if Wonder Woman did ever acknowledge his existence, I am sure he’d run a mile.
I did enjoy this book – especially the T-shirt sections and the Dream House. I’ve never been to a Comicon event, and having read this book, have been put off for life. I would probably not reread this book, but for a one-off quick read, it was a lot of fun.
I actually was surprised at how many of the references I managed to understand – my early years of comics, love of Sci Fi books and TV, and many nerd male friends holding me in good stead. Yes, there is a lot of objectification of women, poor personal hygiene and excessive amounts of fast food – but remember, this is written by a fictional figure, and – to my mind – who is inviting the reader to see him as a (somewhat harmless) loser. After all, if Wonder Woman did ever acknowledge his existence, I am sure he’d run a mile.
I did enjoy this book – especially the T-shirt sections and the Dream House. I’ve never been to a Comicon event, and having read this book, have been put off for life. I would probably not reread this book, but for a one-off quick read, it was a lot of fun.
January 31, 2026
This volume in the Library of Simpson's Wisdom series is a hoot! My favorite so far. CBG's unrelenting fanboy snark and constant pop culture references remind me of people in my life.
August 9, 2012
Klingon Spoken Here!
Nerd Paradise on the printed page.
Comic Book Guy (CBG) is seeking women who measure distances in parsecs. He is the kind of guy who before leaving for the comic store makes a last minute bid on eBay for Anna Kournikova's sports bra.
He is working on a Klingon translation of Atlas Shrugged--surely a limited market?
In the back room of the comic store are shrines to William Shatner, Catwoman, and Seven of Nine.
He primarily watches TV's Conspiracy Channel, with forays into the All Japanese Rubber-suited Monster channel. He considers the best album to be Shatner's Transformed Man.
CBG's pickup lines:
"I'm tired of being Hans Solo, let's you and me form a Rebel Alliance."
"Is this a limited edition diecast Klingon Bird of Prey replica in my pocket, or am I just happy to see you?"
CBG's dream house has an R2-D2 milkshake bartender, a Stargate entrance, and the real Lynda Carter.
CBG's list of nightmare news includes a restraining order from Lynda Carter, continuing virginity, and no hard evidence of his 1997 alien abduction.
Nerd Paradise on the printed page.
Comic Book Guy (CBG) is seeking women who measure distances in parsecs. He is the kind of guy who before leaving for the comic store makes a last minute bid on eBay for Anna Kournikova's sports bra.
He is working on a Klingon translation of Atlas Shrugged--surely a limited market?
In the back room of the comic store are shrines to William Shatner, Catwoman, and Seven of Nine.
He primarily watches TV's Conspiracy Channel, with forays into the All Japanese Rubber-suited Monster channel. He considers the best album to be Shatner's Transformed Man.
CBG's pickup lines:
"I'm tired of being Hans Solo, let's you and me form a Rebel Alliance."
"Is this a limited edition diecast Klingon Bird of Prey replica in my pocket, or am I just happy to see you?"
CBG's dream house has an R2-D2 milkshake bartender, a Stargate entrance, and the real Lynda Carter.
CBG's list of nightmare news includes a restraining order from Lynda Carter, continuing virginity, and no hard evidence of his 1997 alien abduction.
June 13, 2007
C.B.G is perhaps an under-appreciated character from the popular show and here he gets his chance to shine.
The book is just light reading really but there's plenty to laugh at.
I particularly enjoyed his guide to choosing the right pop-culture reference t-shirt for any occasion, and his top and bottom 40 lists are good too - "Ewoks! Worst anything ever!"
His guide to dating was also a hoot - "Avoid women in mint condition!", seek out women who measure distances in "parsecs".
Also, his list of the different types of D+D gaming personalities rang eerily true...
The book is just light reading really but there's plenty to laugh at.
I particularly enjoyed his guide to choosing the right pop-culture reference t-shirt for any occasion, and his top and bottom 40 lists are good too - "Ewoks! Worst anything ever!"
His guide to dating was also a hoot - "Avoid women in mint condition!", seek out women who measure distances in "parsecs".
Also, his list of the different types of D+D gaming personalities rang eerily true...
February 27, 2008
This man's wisdom changed my life... and now I have it collected in one worthy tome.
February 25, 2016
This isn't a library! Buy a copy, or leave and quit bothering me. 'Nuff said.
October 2, 2010
Now I want a lamp of the floating, gun spitting head from Zardoz. And a Bender Blender. And a Tardis.
October 4, 2018
As a Simpson’s fan (I would know, I run the Simpsons Comics Site), this book was difficult to review.
The illustrations are fantastic, but the humour was bland and uninteresting for most of the book. The Comic Book Guy’s humour isn’t for everyone, even if you’re familiar with the references in this title.
My rating was floating between 2 and 3 thanks to gems like the Greatest Quotes of All Time, The Legion of Stupefying Customers, 12 Types of Fantasy Gamers, Moviegoers, Bart Simpson’s Guide to Crappy Girls Comics and the CBG’s Bottom 40. That makes up 13 pages.
The rest of the book was either mildly amusing or didn’t hit the comedy notes that some of the best Simpsons books/comics are known to do. The highlight of the piece came from Bart Simpson; looking forward to reading his book of wisdom.
The various numbered lists with a graphic were tedious to read, but the illustrations made up for it.
The book is sturdy and well-made, great cover art and colours are vibrant.
Come for the visuals and about 20 pages of amusing content, it might not be the worst thing ever, but it does enough to save itself from mediocrity.
My Creative Writing Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
The illustrations are fantastic, but the humour was bland and uninteresting for most of the book. The Comic Book Guy’s humour isn’t for everyone, even if you’re familiar with the references in this title.
My rating was floating between 2 and 3 thanks to gems like the Greatest Quotes of All Time, The Legion of Stupefying Customers, 12 Types of Fantasy Gamers, Moviegoers, Bart Simpson’s Guide to Crappy Girls Comics and the CBG’s Bottom 40. That makes up 13 pages.
The rest of the book was either mildly amusing or didn’t hit the comedy notes that some of the best Simpsons books/comics are known to do. The highlight of the piece came from Bart Simpson; looking forward to reading his book of wisdom.
The various numbered lists with a graphic were tedious to read, but the illustrations made up for it.
The book is sturdy and well-made, great cover art and colours are vibrant.
Come for the visuals and about 20 pages of amusing content, it might not be the worst thing ever, but it does enough to save itself from mediocrity.
My Creative Writing Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
April 7, 2011
This isn't a lending library of knowledge!
As a total geek at heart, I loved this book. It made me laugh all the way through! My favorite parts were actually the realistic parts, like where Comic Book Guy describes the types of annoying little kids who really come into his comic book store. (THE SPECULATOR: "Is this hot? What's hot? I want to buy what's hot!" KID 20 QUESTIONS: "Why didn't Bruce Wayne's parents take a cab? Why doesn't Spider Man eat flies?")
There's something funny on every page. And if you don't want to buy it, you can just read it for free at the store!
As a total geek at heart, I loved this book. It made me laugh all the way through! My favorite parts were actually the realistic parts, like where Comic Book Guy describes the types of annoying little kids who really come into his comic book store. (THE SPECULATOR: "Is this hot? What's hot? I want to buy what's hot!" KID 20 QUESTIONS: "Why didn't Bruce Wayne's parents take a cab? Why doesn't Spider Man eat flies?")
There's something funny on every page. And if you don't want to buy it, you can just read it for free at the store!
May 19, 2014
I love the cover of this book haha. I love Comic Book Guy, but I found this book o be a little boring. I'm not sure why, but it was. I loved all of the illustrations and that we got to see into the life of Comic Book Guy. My favourite illustrations were his many T-shirts. I will be reading the rest of these fun books by Matt Groening, hopefully they are more entertaining than this one.
July 4, 2015
My mom bought me this book for Christmas. I've always loved these simple Simpson books. There's something about their lists and their attention to detail and their subversiveness (sometimes more subversive than the show). And of course this one spends a lot of time making fun of Comic Book Guy. Always good for a laugh.
September 2, 2012
Absolutely loved this little book. It tells you what is wrong with "these people". I gloriously see aspects of myself in this. So funny.
Helps that I also like Comic Book Guy. I even know a real life one.
Helps that I also like Comic Book Guy. I even know a real life one.
August 16, 2007
Delightful, Simpson type comedy.
January 17, 2008
Layered with nuances that can only be appreciated by the true super-nerd (TARDIS, anyone?). Surprisingly long, and it never got old, at least to me.
February 23, 2010
Reasonably funny, although you do need to be a Simpsons fan!
September 2, 2011
the best of the series (so far).
February 6, 2009
The Comic Book Guy's Book of Pop Culture ("Simpsons" Library of Wisdom) by Matt Groening (2005)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews