The Big Book of Urban Legends (The Big book Series) [Paperback]

Jan Harold Brunvand (Author), Robert Loren Fleming (Author), Robert F. Boyd (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1995

This collection of strange and bizarre anecdotal tales drawn (ostensibly) from real life contains 200 stories that have circulated across metropolitan areas--all invariably sworn to be true. "The Poodle in the Microwave, " "The Mouse in the Coke Bottle, " and "The Accidental Cannibals" are just a few of the legends presented in this volume. Illustrated by artists from DC Comics. Mature readers.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Urban legends--those apocryphal, happened-to-a-friend-of-a-friend stories of such outlandish incidents as "the microwaved pet" and "alligators in the sewer"--are inherently fun, but they've never been as entertainingly presented as in this collection of some 200 told in comic strip format by a stunning variety of artists drawn from the comics mainstream (e.g., Howard Chaykin, Keith Giffen, Dick Giordano), underground (e.g., Tina Robbins, Justin Green, Shary Flenniken), and everywhere in between. Although the contributors' work is of uniformly high quality, some of them relate the tales in realistic, deadpan fashion, whereas others take a cartoony approach that exaggerates the already outlandish nature of the yarns. An introduction and commentary by urban folklore scholar and entrepreneur Jan Harold Brunvand (The Vanishing Hitchhiker [1981] et seq.) legitimizes the project, but as Brunvand points out, comics are just another manifestation of the same popular culture that spawned the legends in the first place. All told, the big paperback is a promising, affordable launching of DC Comics' new Paradox Press imprint. Gordon Flagg

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Other (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563891654
• ISBN-13: 978-1563891656
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,384 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book on a fascinating subject!, October 24, 1995

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Book of Urban Legends (The Big book Series) (Paperback)

Did I ever tell you about what happened to my cousin's college roommate's best friend? No? Well ... Who out there can honestly say he's never fallen for an urban legend, told as true by some acquaintance? The maniac in the back seat? The Mexican pet? The doped-up babysitter who microwaved the baby? The spider in the hairdo? We've all been the victims of these stories at some point in our lives. People pass them around at cocktail parties and office water coolers, always claiming that they really happened to a friend of a friend (but never able to offer a name of the unfortunate victim). And Jan Harold Brunvand is the master collector and debunker of the stories. Paradox Press wisely got Brunvand to write its mega-comic, "The Big Book of Urban Legends." Even for UL aficionadoes, there are a few new ones here. And the irreverent comic format is perfect for these just-plausible-enough modern tall tales. It's also a great way to introduce friends to ULs (or to disprove the stories your friends try to pass off as true).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A light-hearted, fun look at this amazing facet of Society, October 17, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Book of Urban Legends (The Big book Series) (Paperback)

A babysitter realizes that threatening calls have been coming from inside the house. A roomate comes home in the dark and in the morning finds her roommate dead and the words "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?" written on the wall. A girl dared to sit on a grave marks the spot with a knife, gets pinned there, and dies of fear. We've heard them all, they are a part of our culture, our history, and we swear they're true. "That happened to my cousin's best friend's neighbor's aunt, it was in the papers and everything!" Urban legends can be a lot of fun and this book captures the spirit of that! Each of the 200 stories is illustrated in comic strip style by different artists and each captures the humor (and sometimes horror) of these well-known tales. Think you've heard 'em all? Check out this excellent book and find yourself saying "oh yeah...I remember hearing that! But it really happened!" You'll also hear a few new ones along the way. A great rainy day book, coffee table addition, or means to survive a boring day. Like to read about urban legends? You'll love this book! I did!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Jammed-packed with SCARY Urban Ledgends!, July 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Book of Urban Legends (The Big book Series) (Paperback)

This riviting and exciting book will keep you on the edge of your seat! I am 41 years old and I still get nightmares from this! The movie " Urban Legends " is a great example of what stories are in this full-with excitement book. So if you like to be scared, this is the book for you! I am also a horror screeenwriter, and I mostly get my main idea for a movie from "The Big Book of Urban Legends." For example 'the dog in the microwave' 'the killer upstairs with baby and the babysitter downstairs' and 'the killer's bloody hook in the car door.' These stories and more are what your going to find in this GREAT book!!! Hope you enjoy!