bluenicorn's review
4.0
A really scathing look at American unemployment and social class warfare in general. But good, cute if you will.
laleha's review
5.0
Having been laid off from two middle school librarian positions in the past few years this is a fun but difficult read for me.
I finished and really appreciated the scathing social commentary, accessible explanations of the economic crisis, and the outrageously snarky humor and art.
I finished and really appreciated the scathing social commentary, accessible explanations of the economic crisis, and the outrageously snarky humor and art.
vincentkonrad's review
3.0
much smarter and more political than I expected. indicts capitalism while paying homage to classic comics.
tangleroot_eli's review
5.0
This is not a work of great literature. But it is a great book. It knows what it wants to do and does exactly that: entertain and enlighten. I know more about what went wrong in the recent financial collapse after reading this than I did after the dozens of hours I spent listening to the policy wonks on NPR try to explain it to me. Plus high-quality artwork and more cheesy '50s-comics-style puns than you can shake the Hero in Chief's Clintonite staff at! Success all 'round.
starnosedmole's review
3.0
Superheroes explaining and taking on the current economic crisis. A more interesting read in light of Occupy Wall Street.
elizabethlk's review
4.0
This was completely great and well worth the read. I was drawn in by the sort of silly premise, not fully knowing what to expect, and I was really pleased with the whole thing.
On the lighter side of it all, this is a great parody of comics. The various superhero names and parallels to DC and Marvel characters were great. I loved the retro art as well as the "amazing facts" and silly little ads, everything that made it feel like a real comic from decades past was great. I loved how not subtle it was. Bruce Paine, a rich man, vigilante, with his Cave of Positivity or his vehicle The American Dream Machine. Wonder Mother, with her invisible jet (made of the glass ceiling). On and on it goes, the parodies were endless and excellent. This was hilarious and worth reading for the sense of humour as well.
On the more serious side of it, I genuinely like the statements about more recent political and economic issues. This actually does a great job of using a superhero parody to make a bigger point about how horrible society and the government are to poor people, or even just people who aren't rich. This was rather spot on and I wasn't expecting that at all from this, I was rather impressed.
Overall this was a really good read. It was funny, fun, and made some great points about real issues. I would definitely be willing to reread and I would recommend it completely.
On the lighter side of it all, this is a great parody of comics. The various superhero names and parallels to DC and Marvel characters were great. I loved the retro art as well as the "amazing facts" and silly little ads, everything that made it feel like a real comic from decades past was great. I loved how not subtle it was. Bruce Paine, a rich man, vigilante, with his Cave of Positivity or his vehicle The American Dream Machine. Wonder Mother, with her invisible jet (made of the glass ceiling). On and on it goes, the parodies were endless and excellent. This was hilarious and worth reading for the sense of humour as well.
On the more serious side of it, I genuinely like the statements about more recent political and economic issues. This actually does a great job of using a superhero parody to make a bigger point about how horrible society and the government are to poor people, or even just people who aren't rich. This was rather spot on and I wasn't expecting that at all from this, I was rather impressed.
Overall this was a really good read. It was funny, fun, and made some great points about real issues. I would definitely be willing to reread and I would recommend it completely.
realbooks4ever's review
4.0
At first I was confused because Unemployed Man is called something different in the beginning of this graphic novel. Then he became Unemployed Man and it started making sense. This old-school type comic about the current economic crisis should be required reading for everyone in an Economics 101 class. Its very clever, succinct, and the plays on names are funny. I recommend this book to everyone!
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