Daniel Clowes

[Tressa]

About the only graphic novels I like are non-superhero ones, like Ghost World and Stitches, and the occasional horror one.

I've been enjoying Daniel Clowes' graphic novels lately. Recently read Mister Wonderful: A Love Story and loved it. Just picked up David Boring and can't wait to start it.

Anyone else like his work?

[Scott]

Loved Ghost World and Caricature.

[Tressa]

I've read Ghost World several times; I should go ahead and buy it. I'm going to read all of Clowes' work eventually. I just can't get enough of it.

[Scott]

Did you look for any of Adrian Tomine's stuff?

[Tressa]

No, not familiar with her. Thanks. I love these kinds of "normal life" graphic novels.

Haha. Did you see that scathing first review for her Summer Blonde? Ouch.

[Scott]

I guess they are the kind of stories you either get or you don't. She probably hated Enid and Rebecca, too.

Adrian is a man BTW.

[Tressa]

Oh, lol. With all that cattiness going on in the review section I assumed Adrian was a woman. Who names their son Adrian?

She probably does hate Enid and Rebecca. Who could ever hate Enid Coleslaw?

[Shawn]

I've been buying Daniel Clowes from the very start - bought LLOYD LLEWELLYN off the stands and immediately knew he was a personal fave. Somewhere in my papers I have a handwritten postcard he sent me in response to a letter I wrote him about how much I dug LLOYD (he felt I was one of probably only 50 readers he had back then).

It's been very gratifying watching him get the accolades he justly deserves. GHOST WORLD is probably his current pinnacle, although I'm quite fond of CARICATURE, ICE HAVEN and DEATH RAY (and, of course, the comedy strips from EIGHTBALL).

Haven't read MR. WONDERFUL yet, but was less than enthused about Wilson - interesting experiment but overall a failure.

Who names their son Adrian?

The neighbors of Rosemary Wodehouse?

[Bandit]

Adrian Brody's parents?

[Tressa]

Bandit wrote: "Adrian Brody's parents?"

LOL. I guess so. Forgot about him. Just always think of Rocky screaming "Adrian!" And then there's Adrienne Barbou.

I thought Wilson was only meh, but Mister Wonderful is really good. Haven't started David Boring yet because I'm in the middle of reading .

[Tressa]

I finished Clowes' last night and loved it. Will for sure try to read all his other graphic novels. Couldn't stop laughing about the cereal shortage on the island.

[Dana *]

I guess I have some catching up to do. I readMister Wonderful: A Love Story and really liked it. More for the to read list. I also saw the movie Ghost World,, but don't remember reading it.

[Tressa]

Dana, I liked the GW graphic novel better than the movie, and the movie is wonderful.

David Boring is laugh-out-loud funny. Give that one a try when you can.

[Shawn]

Just put my thoughts on Mister Wonderful: A Love Story up (short version - I liked it!)

[Tressa]

Good review, Shawn. I also didn't care for Wilson. Thought it was too bitter to be funny.

[[deleted user]]

Tressa, I LOVE Daniel Clowes!!! So glad you gave him a shout out and enjoyed David Boring. I love the way he makes the banal and mundane amusing. Haven't read Mister Wonderful yet...

[Tressa]

David Boring is great. The part where they're on the island is hilarious, especially the references to when the cereal runs out.

Ghost World is still my favorite. You'll like Mister Wonderful. When he's waiting in the coffee shape for his blind date to arrive, it's just hilarious.

[Dana *]

I just read and really enjoyed it. This is the kind of angst I can relate to. Wilson is quite the miserable character, it seems he might be Enid all grown up.

[Oliver]

I'm a bit behind the times with Clowes's stuff but used to love Lloyd Lewellyn and have most of the early issue of Eightball in the attic. If you haven't read it 'Like a Velvet Glove Cast in Iron' is well worth a read - very surreal and chilling in places.
Ghost World is probably my favourite of his work but I'm reading Wilson at the moment and that's very impressive too.

[Tressa]

I adore Ghost World and re-read it every few years. I keep hoping I'll run across a used copy one day (so much more fun to run across one than just ordering it online).

Wilson was a little too negative to me. He just seemed like an ass.

[Oliver]

Have to say Wilson worked for me but maybe that's because I'm a bitter middle aged man :/

[Tressa]

I'm sorry.

[Oliver]

That's okay, its not your fault ;-)

[Tressa]

I think we middle-aged parents have occasion to be bitter now and then, no?

[Oliver]

Well maybe not bitter (and I may have been overstating things using that term) but tired and grouchy certainly.

[Tressa]

I looked at your age and you're not even that old! I was 39 when I had my son and he's now 7 1/2. But, yes, I've been tired and grouchy ever since the day he was born. :-D

[Oliver]

You look much younger :-) ;-)

[Tressa]

When the blood is drained out of your face, the wrinkles disappear.