Curbside Boys: The New York Years [Paperback]

Robert Kirby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 9, 2002

Featured in dozens of gay newspapers nationwide, Curbside Boys chronicles the sexual mishaps and bittersweet romantic wanderings of four gay twenty-somethings falling in and out of love in the big city. Illustrated throughout, this is the first collection of the author's popular biweekly strip. “If good cartooning got the respect it deserved ... Curbside Boys would be running in every gay paper in the world.” — Howard Cruse, author of Stuck Rubber Baby

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

I adore Curbside. You must take these sweet, loutish, calculating, ingenious, raunchy, romantic boys home with you right now.

-Alison Bechdel, creator of Dykes to Watch Out For

"Funnier than "Friends," queerer than "Folk," Curbside delivers a right-on balance of humor, character, and storytelling."

- D. Travers Scott,

author of Execution Texas: 1987

"Sensitive gayboy angst! Clumsy human frailty! Raw emotions, love and sex! Exquisite brush work! What more can you ask for? Buy this book now, dammit!" 

- Jennifer Camper,

creator of subGURLZ

Product Details

• Paperback: 150 pages
• Publisher: Cleis Press (October 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573441546
• ISBN-13: 978-1573441544
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #554,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such an intimate look into a gay writer's private life, November 17, 2002

By 

Holly Mae (Miami Beach, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Curbside Boys: The New York Years (Paperback)

I loved this book. It helped me to feel that I wasn't so alone in feeling sometimes like I am on the outside, looking in. I really enjoyed the humor and the detail in the drawings, but mostly it was the honesty with which it was written that I was so taken with. It was wonderful to read and experience the Drew character's struggles to just be in the world, and to love someone and try to connect with him. I tried to savor the book, make it last, but alas, I was only able to wait less than 24 hours before I devoured it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling Gay Relationship Comic Strips, November 19, 2002

By 

interested_observer "interested_observer" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Curbside Boys: The New York Years (Paperback)

Robert Kirby's "Curbside Boys" is an enjoyable romantic melodrama largely following the life of Nathan, a handsome 20-something guy in New York City.

Nathan, introduced in Kirby's previous collection, "Curbside", has just moved from Minneapolis to Manhattan. Nathan finds work in a coffee shop and shares an apartment with two new characters, Kevin and Drew. Kevin has an on-and-off relationship with boyfriend Rain. Drew is a young, inhibited writer-wannabe who keeps a nervous eye on Nathan. Bob, an important character in "Curbside" makes an appearance as a confidante to Nathan. While Nathan and the others cruise about, stirring up action, the real drama is the growth of emotional bonds between the main characters.

While it isn't necessary to read "Curbside" first, people who like "Curbside Boys" will want to check it out.

Kirby captures the relationship-based hopes and fears of the young, urban, gay community.

I look forward to the sequel!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Choices, August 22, 2007

By 

Tommy T. Roddy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Curbside Boys: The New York Years (Paperback)

I really enjoyed Curbside Boys. Besides all the awesome music references ("I wish I'd taken pictures..."), the story was truly heartfelt. I loved Drew's progression. He still had a lot of insecurities, but he still grew so much by the end. I particularly loved the panel where Drew decided to work out. I have friends who like to joke that any gym membership is supporting "body facism." But Drew didn't become a muscle queen, he just decided to take concrete steps at addressing his low self-esteem.

On a personal note, I really appreciated the fact that Curbside Boys had people of color as main characters AND as random love interests. It was clear they weren't just tokens. Kevin was just uptight, pragmatic, stable Kevin. Not "the black roommate." Curbside Boys was definitely money well spent!