The Big Book of Freaks (Factoid Books) [Paperback]

Gahan Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Factoid Books | Publication Date: May 1996

Enchanted or evil, lucky or cursed, freaks have always held a special place in society. Now noted cartoonist Gahan Wison tackles this subject with uncanny expertise and insight. Inside are freaks of the past, such as the cyclops; well known freaks of recent eras, such as the Elephant Man; and potential future freaks created through genetic manipulation. Graphic novel format. Mature readers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Dc Comics (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563892189
• ISBN-13: 978-1563892189
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,008,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the Price of Admission, June 15, 2001

By 

Jonathan Schaper (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Big Book of Freaks (Factoid Books) (Paperback)

Written by repected cartoonist, Gahan Wilson (appropriately so since he is a direct descendant of P.T. Barnum), this is a fascinating look at the history of freaks in real life and in the media and treats the subject with a great deal of reverence and respect. Wilson goes beyond merely presenting the histories of various famous freaks, but also examines why we are so fascinated by them and laments the fact that with advances in genetics they may be a dying breed (with the exception of self-made freaks like those in the Jim Rose Circus).

Wilson begins with the historical roots of the sideshow, with the wild speculations about possible creatures that might exist in the days when much of the world was unexplored, to the fake freaks created for medieval carnivals and self-mutilated beggars, to the modern circus and portrayals in movies such as Tod Browning's "Freaks". In addition to such articles on specific themes are the histories of particular individuals ranging from the famous (the Elephant Man) to the not-so-famous (a "Lobster Man" who committed a murder in a Florida town composed almost entirely of retired circus freaks). The stories range from the heartwarming to the heartbreaking, the humourous to the serious, and include romance and adventure, but all of them treat the unusual individuals who are their subjects as human beings, with all the same potentials as well as the character flaws of any person, and avoids being exploitative. My personal favourite is the article drawn by Ivan Brunetti illustrating how ALL human beings are freakish and are constantly undergoing strange transformations.

The accompanying illustrations are also superb. This is definitely one of the best in the Big Books series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Comic Carny Midway, June 7, 2000

By 

Jeffrey Plotkin - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Book of Freaks (Factoid Books) (Paperback)

Step right up and see this book! Gahan Wilson is a genius of comic art, and he wrote this tome for Paradox Press. In this volume, you learn about all the famous residents of circus sideshows, the origins of the midway, and all sorts of human oddities. Like the movie "Freaks" says, "Come and see 'em!"

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A bizarre, whimsical collection of cartoons, August 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Book of Freaks (Factoid Books) (Paperback)

I ordered this book by mistake and ended up loving it. It is a twisted look into the life of "freaks". True tales of human physical oddities are told in the form of comic strips. I highly reccomend this book to anyone who has an interest in the bizarre.