Jellyfist (Paperback)

~ Jhonen Vasquez (Author), J. Goldberg (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Barely conscious and muttering to himself, Jhonen Vasquez grabbed a fishbone and scrawled on the side of a cat out a series of surrealist scripts never meant to be read by anyone. Two thousand miles away, J.R. Goldberg hears these very scripts whispered into her sleep by her pet ferret, devoid of any real direction beyond the dialog. Goldberg awakens to find that she has illustarted these scenes. In Jellyfist, two artists battle with interpretation, however absurd the intent or outcome, with running commentary from the creators on just how wrong or right it's all gone. The first book published as a result of ferret-aided, carved-kitten-transmitted telepathy, Jellyfist's collection of highly important nonsense just might change your opinion of almost all known things. This full color comic has production values and bindings far beyond what the content would seem to dictate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Slave Labor Graphics (October 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593620829
• ISBN-13: 978-1593620820
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #492,241 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another gem - but an odd one - from Jhonen Vasquez, November 7, 2007

By	Peter J. Ward (Lewisburg, WV. USA) - See all my reviews

I'm a big fan of Jhonen Vasquez (and now Jen Golberg as collaborator), and it's primarily because instead of rushing to get a ton of merchandice on the market, he takes the time to create something memorable. Jellyfist harkens back to his Bad Art Collection more than the still-excellent Johnny The Homicidal Maniac: Director's Cut or Squee's Wonderful Big Giant Book of Unspeakable Horrors and it is pretty random. Make that VERY random. There's no central story, so if you're a fan of plots and charactization, this one might not be for you. But there's genius in some of the non-sequiturs and the art is very reminiscent of the B.A.C. but much more polished. I hope Jhonen Vasquez hasn't stopped drawing entirely but thankfully the art but Jen Goldberg fits the mood nicely. Any Jhonen-o-philes will love the liner notes, I'm still working my way through them.

If you have knee-jerk reactions of fear and hatred when an artist or writer does something different from their previous work, don't write a whiny review, just wait for him to do a JTHM follow-up. And while I love Jellyfist, it is not for anyone who doesn't fall over laughing at the prospect of flinging a baby at approaching hobos. Enough said.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Poop, bees, and zombie hobos, December 23, 2007

By	Caleb A. Feltch "idealist" (Hickam AFB, HI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Well its been a while since Jhonen Vasquez has made a comic and after reading the book it was well worth the wait. Vasquez and Goldberg have delivered a mindless yet inventive short comics packaged in a 54 page book. Vasquez creates the stories while Goldberg draws the visuals. The stories themseleves are very random and while some are ridiculusly funny others are strange to the point were you sit puzzled thinking "...huh?" If your a fan of JTHM, Squee, or Invader Zim you will understand Jhonens spontaniously random sense of humor that he hasnt lost throughout the book. Surprisingly there is allot of sexual humor, something that Jhonen strayed away from in all of his other work. But breaking down that wall he will make you think of some sexual acts in ways you never wouldve concieved in your mind before. In conclusion if you like Vasquezs previous work you will dig this book.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE ONLY REVIEW THAT MATTERS!!!!!, December 17, 2007

By	Richard P. Upchurch "I'm awesome!" (Tampa, Florida; USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think that Jenny Goldberg really did a great job on this book, too bad that Vasqueeze fellow drug her down with his mostly aweful writing. I mean a guy with a toaster in his head? Is that even writing? ..seems more like trying to fail if you ask me, and lets face it if you're reading this you are sorta asking me.

Also, Varsqueezin seemed to hog all the commentary giving Jenny only one or two lines on the page at times. Seems like he sort of talks to her instead of with her.

That said I like most of Jhonen Vasquez's work, and this return to darker comics is refreshing. I mean he went from Johnny then to Squee, then Filler bunny, then Zim. I thought Super Happy Hug Time Adventures was surely the next step on his quest for cuteness.

P.S. MORE SQUID!