Reviews

Box Office Poison by Alex Robinson

germancho's review against another edition

5.0

This is a 600 page time machine to 90s NY. The art is a little crude, but it's not too noticeable most of the time. The characters are very well written, as well as their struggles and their inner monologues. Even though it's basically a comic book soap opera, it managed to avoid being corny while keeping me interested throughout.

deepfreezebatman's review against another edition

5.0

I finally finished this beast! and it's official.. I am now a huge Alex Robinson fan. I loved this comic!

I'm such a sucker for drama, and this comic is oozing with it! It's hard to pick a favorite character, but I loved Sherman's bookstore rants. I also really enjoyed Ed and Mr. Flavor, very relevant in terms of the current comics movie business.

moranguinhos's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

al_capwned's review

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Yes, this is a loooong slice-of-life comic in which "nothing" happens but that's the whole point of it and I really enjoyed it.

elisala's review against another edition

5.0

BD-tranches de vie: des personnages se croisent, s'aiment, s'apprécient, se détestent, c'est drôle, c'est terriblement réaliste ; le dessin simple mais efficace (noir et blanc complet), les dialogues bien foutus permettent de s'immerger dans les sentiments des uns et des autres. Autour des "héros" gravitent des personnages plus secondaires, mais pas du tout au second plan, qui viennent enrichir la BD par leurs caractères, leurs petites particularités.
L'air de rien la BD vous emporte dans les vies des personnages, difficile de s'en séparer!
C'est très gros (le livre), c'est très drôle (les textes), c'est très bien (le tout).

beatsbybeard's review against another edition

4.0

Slice-of-life graphic novel about the comics industry and a group of early-twenties indie types in ‘90s NYC. Really nails the emotional details of relationships between (e.g.) friends, lovers, tenants, and bosses, and especially the opaqueness of trying to learn someone else’s past (or decipher our own). There’s some humorous bellyaching borne of the author’s seven-year stint at a major metropolitan bookstore that I – with my own brief window of literary retail employment – related to, although it definitely hits high on the Whine-o-Meter. One review blurb calls it the “Almost Famous” of the comics business, and I’ll second that. Very real, very frustrating at times, very human through and through.

dave_ex_machina's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I first read this during Thanksgiving my family and I found myself actually sneaking away, lying about having to go to the bathroom,, just so I could read some of it, truly amazing

cmurph93's review against another edition

4.0

Box office poison is a story of a group of twenty-something navigating post grad life. Even though this takes place in the 90s, I feel like the issues about money and relationships are still relatable. However, there is some stuff that did not age well, such as how the male characters talk about women sometimes.

lampsunnies's review against another edition

2.0

After 600 pages, I guess I was just hoping for more. The plot was uninspiring, the characters were either meh or annoying and the ending was super rushed. I didn't hate it and there were definitely moments which I enjoyed but it just wasn't for me.

ezraez's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

20 somethings in the 90s hoping to become creatives - its a bit of a trope, but the characters are fully realized. Has some language and behaviors that have not aged well, but it makes the characters (sadly) more true to the era. Overall, its really touching and honest - wouldn’t recommend to everyone, but if you like consistency in your characters and 90s aesthetics, you’ll love this one.