Fresh For '01... You Suckas: A Boondocks Collection [Paperback]

Aaron McGruder (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Since its debut in April 1999, The Boondocks has found a home in more than 250 newspapers, making its launch the strongest since Calvin And Hobbes and For Better Or For Worse. The rich, multilayered comic strip offers a frank yet often funny look at race in America. It starts with a simple premise: Two young boys, Riley and Huey, move from inner-city Chicago to live with their grandfather. The tension increases, however, because the two boys are African-Americans now compelled to adapt to a white suburban world. They must take all they've learned in the 'hood and apply it to life in the 'burbs. Aaron McGruder has created a strip unlike any other. Superbly illustrated, The Boondocks has stirred controversy, attracted widespread media coverage, and won readers who've applauded McGruder's unapologetic and humorous approach to race. This second collection includes some of the year's most compelling story lines. The Boondocks is a groundbreaking strip of enormous proportions. It's certain to only increase in popularity.

About the Author

McGruder has become a widely heard and respected commentator on race, politics, and entertainment. The cartoonist was born in Chicago but grew up in racially diverse Columbia, Maryland. The Boondocks first saw print in the student newspaper at the University of Maryland where he majored in Afro-American studies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing; Original edition (May 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740713957
• ISBN-13: 978-0740713958
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #109,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Daily Comic's Finest, June 4, 2001

By	"redc_hotblackd" (Bronx, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fresh For '01... You Suckas: A Boondocks Collection (Paperback)

"Fresh for '01, You Suckas" makes a great gift. Forget about the people that complain, "The characters always look so angry," or "This is a racist comic strip...". Aaron McGruder has created the best daily comic since Calvin and Hobbes. Perhaps the most socially aware comic since Doonsbury. Find out what all the fuss is over. See if these characters are causing strains in race relations and "inciting angry black children to riot". Huey and Riley are much more real and amusing than other "steppin' and fetchin'" comic characters. The Grandfather still wonders what's wrong with his boys, Cindy is still obsessed with mainstream black entertainment, and Ceasar is just a rockin' Emcee. Whatever opinion you draw from the Boondocks, it's unlikely that you will ever forget it. FREE JOLLY JENKINS!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Broke to Boondocks, November 11, 2001

By	Kimberly Harleston (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fresh For '01... You Suckas: A Boondocks Collection (Paperback)

It seems like most of these reviews were written by people very familiar with The Boondocks. I bought this book on a whim after seeing McGruder's work in The Broke Diaries by Angela Nissel and a negative "letter to the editor" article about his comic strip.

I absolutely love this comic strip now and would have read the "funny pages" a long time ago if I'd known it offered a timely, smart, grown-up alternative to Family Circus.

McGruder speaks through youngsters for my generation, raising relevant issues but never losing the humor. No one is safe from his wit; not Puffy nor presidential candidates.

Not to mention, the artwork is awesome. I enjoyed the subtle shadings in the comic strip and his silly art in The Broke Diaries.

If you're not sure what all the fuss is about or you get your news online like me and haven't touched a paper in years, catch up with this collection. The Boondocks might actually make you start buying the paper again.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious!, June 14, 2001

By	Harriet R. Williams (Fort Walton Beach, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fresh For '01... You Suckas: A Boondocks Collection (Paperback)

Aaron McGruder never ceases to amaze me with his eternal wit! He provides comic relief to issues that would normally bring me dangerously close to rage or tears. Issues such as racial/color complexes, politics, and the dire condition that public schools are in. Some of the comics take me back to my college days (although these young gentlemen are in grammar school) when teachers would ask me "So, Harriet...what do BLACK people think about this issue?" (yeah, as if I can answer for millions of African descendants worldwide).

At any rate, I commend Mr. McGruder for his boldness through the eyes of Huey, Riley (Esco), and the new character Caesar, giving the neverending shout out to BROOKLYN, BABY! WHAT?! WHAT?! As well as all Chicago heads (my origin) BUK! BUK! BUK! Keep on speaking the truth!