Groo: Death & Taxes (Paperback)

~ Sergio Aragones (Author), Mark Evanier (Author), Sergio Aragonés (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Groo is a mindless, barbarian swordsman whose moronic exploits are typically funny, and occasionally a little thought provoking. At the beginning of this book, he approaches a town. The people panic, for where he goes, death follows, and the undertaker invests in more coffins, rubbing his hands with glee. But Groo takes a vow to slay no longer, and the mortician then travels from town to town inciting wars so that he may somehow recoup his investment. Death happens despite the barbarian's vow, and taxes get raised to pay for the needless conflicts. In the process, the authors satirize the propaganda machine needed to cause nations to go to war, and the willingness of ordinary people to echo the spin doctors. People who formerly wanted Groo and his swords to stay away now beg him to fight, and his loyal dog, Rufferto, desperately wants the old Groo back. Aragones's drawings are comical and expressive, evoking chaos while never descending into gore. In an afterword, Evanier discusses the authors' reactions to 9/11-the stories in this volume were written before the disaster. They are of topical interest today, but the enduring presence of both war and taxes will continue to make this graphic novel meaningful.
Paul Brink, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

The three most inevitable things in the world are death, taxes, and another Groo collection from Dark Horse. This one is about the other two: Groo and his loyal pooch Rufferto encounter a king who is forever raising the cost of living and an undertaker who drives up the cost of dying. So the kingdom goes to war against...well, they’re not exactly sure of that part yet. But they’re definitely going to war. What a time for Groo to be trapped in a solemn vow not to kill. And if you think that makes him any less dangerous, you don’t know Groo. He’s even worse...as the savage warrior, Odoman the Invincible, finds out the hard way.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse; illustrated edition edition (November 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569717974
• ISBN-13: 978-1569717974
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #388,486 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very funny graphic novel, August 26, 2003

By	Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Groo is a barbarian's barbarian: muscular, an expert swordsman, and incredibly *less* intelligent that his faithful canine companion, Rufferto. When certain people realize what a moneymaker Groo can be for them (Morose the Undertaker, the King who raises taxes to increase the army, merchants who supply the army with supplies, etc.), they begin to love him. However, when Groo realizes that killing people has made him unpopular with most people, he vows to never kill again. Disaster! Morose and the King need a new target for the war machine, and strangely, Groo turns out to be just as deadly when honoring vow!

This is a very funny graphic novel. The artwork, which reminded me a lot of the old Mad Magazine issues, caught my eye, and the story kept me reading. If you want a funny, light-hearted (and light-headed) read, then this book is for you!