Customer Reviews

American Elf Volume 1: The Collected Sketchbook Diaries Of James Kochalka (v. 1)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm a huge fan of both his music and his comics, and this diary strip has entertained me for years. Finally collected, hopefully the world will see the genius behind this strange man. Similar to Peanuts in some ways, although not innocent, the ideas he captures have a simple, everyman quality, to which anyone can relate. Burlington, VT residents and visitors will see the town and its activities in new ways, and gain a further appreciation for them. If you only buy one item from James' vast output, this is the one to get. It captures a side of James that even your mother would enjoy.

This was my first introduction to James Kochalka's beautiful work. I recommend his big American Elf book to anyone who wants to get an overall sense of who he is and what he does. The daily comics are deceptively simplistic because you only get a sense of the complete tapestry of James' life after reading several in a row. Eventually you get to know all about James, his wife Amy and his cat Spandy over the course of five years.
Our little elf (and even by his own admission he does look like an elf) is neither self-absorbed nor self-deprecating. This mosaic of daily life will leave you addicted and hungry for more excellent work from James Kochalka.
Also features a cute introduction from Moby.

This is a beautiful piece of work. Within these pages you see the diary comics of our Every-Elf. Lyrical in its poetic simplicity, we go on a journey following the life of Magic Boy, vicariously making sense of the rhythms of Kochalka's daily life, spanning the first five years since the inception of his diary comic. Delightful are the observations he shares, that range from profound to silly, from funny to plain. Neither self-grandising nor self-deprecating, here is a biographical piece that when taken in whole will leave you addicted and wanting more, because we recognize something that looks so simple on first glance, but is acually quite a feat--art not imitating, but rather capturing one of the many glistening beams that glow from this thing we know as life. Don't be fooled by each day's strip; taken separately they are deceptively facile, but step back and you see the wonderous mosaic we have been given via James Kochalka's Collected Sketchbook Diaries.

Meet James Kochalka. At the time this diary starts it's 1998 and he's a fledging comics artist. He lives in Vermont in a flat with his girlfriend Amy. He works part time as a waiter in a Chinese restaurant and Amy works in a school. Each day he draws and writes a 1-4 panel strip about his day. The panels are done in black and white and are about a single moment in that day that stands out for him.

The book is quite large, not quite A4 size but near that, and the pages run to about 400 or so. It's a massive brick of a book. When I found out about it this time last year I was a bit hesitant (especially with no reviews on Amazon to guide me!) but ordered it anyway. I'm so glad as I discovered a fantastic artist. I've now read about a dozen of Kochalka's books and the American Elf strips are among the best of his work.

It's a huge book but I became engrossed in Kochalka's world as I saw him go through the everyday things we all do but also see him get more popular and see his life change in other ways. His music becomes marginally more well known but his cartooning becomes more popular and the American Elf strips develop with he and Amy deciding to start a family. In Volume 2 you see Kochalka move toward colour strips and the drawing becomes more refined. Looking at the latest American Elf strip on [...] today 18 Aug 2009 and the first one way back in 1997 you can see how far he's come as an artist.

I also highly recommend his graphic novels "Fantastic Butterflies" and "Monkey Vs. Robot".

It's fun, it's got energy, and it tells the real life story of James and Amy Kochalka. American Elf Volume 1, the adventure starts here!

I only hold back a five star rating because this volume is in black and white. (The online comics are generally in bright colors.)

I was introduced to American Elf by a friend and have kept reading the daily strips for more than a year now. I really wanted to go back and read the comic from the start, though, and this book is the best way to do it (unless you have many, many hours to spend at your computer). I read this first volume on my lunch breaks, on and off, and it was always such a pick-me-up. I also would find myself thinking about strips later in the day, reflecting on them. I don't know if this is "deep" material, but it's hard not to feel a connection to James Kochalka and his family. He doesn't shy away from certain topics, which makes it all the more fun and wonderful... though it does make for an interesting glance by coworkers in the lunch room. Reading this is a lot like talking to a friend about what's happening in your life, when maybe you think your life is strange and maybe your relationships aren't working out and you're just not getting it, and then that friend says "yeah, me too!" Okay, it's not quite like that, but that's the feeling I got. I'm happy to be catching up to present day American Elf!

What an interesting idea artist and musician James Kochalka had one day in 1998. Why not draw a daily comic strip documenting the little things that happened in his life? Where would that lead?

Well, it led to his book, "American Elf - The Collected Sketchbook Diaries of James Kochalka" which contains over 5 years of his daily comic diary, from 1998 to 2003. Individually, the comic strips have no power. In fact, individually, they seem kind of pointless. But anyone looking for a punch line is making a mistake. What Kochalka has created is a masterpiece. When combined, the strips document the daily ebb and flow of his life. He has captured the "rhythm of his life" and it will stick in your head.

Kochalka chooses to draw himself and his wife as elves, his best friend Jason as a little white dog, his friends as strange-looking alien creatures, and his pet cat Spandy as, well, a cat. We become so used to seeing Kochalka as an elf that it comes as a shock the few times when he draws himself as a human.

It's interesting which little tidbits of his life Kochalka chooses to include in his strips. He picks random events from his day, or sometimes just his thoughts. It's amazing how much time he spends watching TV and playing video games. When does he find time to draw?

Be prepared - he documents everything. The book is a little childish, a little dirty, and a little strange, but very addictive. It's a fun read because Kochalka is always optimistic and cheerful regardless of the ups and downs in his life. He's also really goofy, which adds to the fun.

Another endearing characteristic of the diary is Kochalka's obvious love for his wife, Amy. He's not afraid to document their tiffs and personal quirks, but their love overcomes all. Yeah, that sounds cheesy, but if you read the book you'll understand.

Filling out the cast of characters are Kochalka's circle of friends. As you read, Kochalka, his wife Amy, their cat Spandy, Jason, Pistol, New Guy, Kate, Josh and the rest seem to become part of your family. It's kind of strange, because these are real people, not fictional characters in a book. But this confirms Kochalka's talent. His comic strips makes these people real on the page.

Kochalka's world is one that you will want to visit often. He is a man who lives the life he wants to live, creating his art and his music, surrounded by friends and family. He sets an example that we can all follow.

Many times, Kochalka has considered quitting his "sketchbook diary". Thank God he didn't. There is an "American Elf - Volume 2" with a "Volume 3" coming out later this year. And he's still at it today, posting daily strips on his "American Elf" website.

Thank you James for putting your life out there for the world to see. It's a helluva fun ride.

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Michael Mihalik is the author of Debt is Slavery: and 9 Other Things I Wish My Dad Had Taught Me About Money. Learn how to gain control of your finances, pay off your debt, and create financial security!

see my review for volume 2... this volume rules in terms of kochalka. very inspirational cartoonist/artist, his so-short stories expand your mind!

I just can't stand James Kochulka. I thought it pertinent to post here since the people who bought the book are obviously already fans. I live in Burlington, where his "American Elf" comic strip takes up half of a page in Seven Days newspaper. I never get the jokes, and I think that it is very badly drawn. Lately, I have begun to cover his column with the B section of the news paper. That way I can read the other comics without his "art" in my periphery.