Reviews

The Acme Novelty Library, Number 20 by Chris Ware

saidtheraina's review

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3.0

I really gotta stop doing this.

I gotta get used to the fact that Chris Ware just isn't my thing.

But his stuff is SO PRETTY!

I love the high concept SO MUCH!


His brain is so interesting. The geometry of how he creates his pages and panels, the color concepts, the overall sweep of a life in a comic book. There is so much I like about what he does.



Yep, there's a big ole But.

Everytime I read Ware's stuff, I leave feeling disconnected and nonplussed. While I admire the scope and design of everything he does, I just don't come out liking the characters or stories he tells.

This is no exception. It's basically the lifestory of an asshole, as far as I could tell. A life I could never admire.

And I get that there's virtue in giving background to someone who might be judged harshly by the world at large. Heck, I was an actor, I have practice at trying to see from the Other's perspective.

But this just made me sad.

I gotta quit you, Chris. I'm sorry.


**Extra star for the artistry. Can't blame the artist for my taste.**

jhouses's review

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3.0

Sorprendente experimento visual que debo agradecer a mi compañero Raúl. Un ejercicio casi más de diseño que de cómic para describir toda la vida de su protagonista. Una vida ordinaria y patética que sirve de pretexto para la innovación visual.

gsroney's review

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3.0

I think there is probably some type of genius in the way that Chris Ware examines the details of lives of depressed or angry losers, and certainly the art is meticulous and unique, but this isn’t really engaging in more than a superficial level, and at times strains the eyes.

mschlat's review

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4.0

Hard to read, both because of Ware's obsessive typography and design and because of the emotional impact. We're basically following the story of one man, with each page outlining an episode or short era in his life. And the man (the Lint in the title) is not admirable and becomes less so the more you read. Still, the work packs a punch, most notably due to the contribution of [a:Gary Panter|5126|Gary Panter|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1394591569p2/5126.jpg].

deepfreezebatman's review

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4.0

yikes! I didn't think it was possible, but Chris Ware's stories keep getting more and more depressing. But it's sooo pretty! and sooo brilliant!! Not my favorite story or characters, but as always, the storytelling will blow your mind.

sizrobe's review

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5.0

Basically the life story of a complete bastard, starting with birth and ending with death. It's rare that you come across a character so completely unlikable, so devoid of good qualities. That of course makes for some compelling reading. The art is standard Chris Ware style and experiments with the form a good bit, especially at the very beginning and very end.

clarkness's review

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4.0

Extremely bleak and probably not a great read for me, a brand new father who does not want to read about people being terrible fathers and ruining their children, but certainly this work is beautifully told and sumptuously illustrated. Ware has a remarkable vision for his works and this one is no different.

lindacbugg's review

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5.0

I love Chris Ware.
It doesn't matter how much of an ass or douchebag the subjects of his books are, they're still an absolute joy to read. Every page is chock full. I was so happy as I was reading this I was practically vibrating.

ponycanyon's review

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5.0

BLUGH. It's almost painful to read Ware right now - he's the greatest living cartoonist doing his best work, and it's just BRAIN and SOUL-melting. Taking time out from his ongoing "Rusty Brown" epic (which, when finally finished and compiled, will split the entire universe in half and render all human narrative obsolete - it's THAT ridiculously good in toto, the greatest work of art that will have ever been rendered by mankind's craven hand) to tell the entire life story from birth to death of a minor character (Jordan Lint, who bullies Rusty Brown in one panel). Jordan is just a classical every-shitheel, from bullying child to stoner teen to college frat burnout to corporate raider/philandering family man adult - and yet, in spite of his complete lack of redeeming qualities or justifications, Ware treats and renders Lint with as much humanity, compassion, and pathos as Rusty or Jimmy Corrigan before him. Ware's layouts have gotten even more bonkers - he's almost in his FRACTAL phase, spraying boxes large and small all over the page with nary a "so...," arrow, or "and then..." to guide the reader as in previous installments.

garatuja's review

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

4.5