Lio: Happiness Is a Squishy Cephalopod (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Drawn in the age-old style of pantomime strips, LIÓ offers a decidedly new and edgy twist to the wordless comic format. That's right, LIÓ is so crafty it doesn't need word balloons, dialogue boxes, or clever captions. Mark Tatulli's cartoon also employs a unique drawing style influenced by cartooning greats Gahan Wilson, Charles Addams, and 19th-century satirist A. J. Volck.

·In describing his strip, Tatulli explains he was eager "to bring something truly different to the comics pages . . . something to appeal to all ages, drawn in pictures only. To tell a story without text, while updating the pantomime concept with a modern audience in mind."

The result is a mind-bendingly humorous and astute journey into the darkly detailed world of young Lió—where a spit wad can put a school bus out of commission faster than a spider can hamper the efforts of the U.S. Postal Service.

About the Author

Mark Tatulli is an internationally syndicated cartoonist, best known for his popular comic strip Heart of the City, syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate that features a fun-loving, tenacious little girl and her adventures in the big city of Philadelphia. In addition to cartooning, Mark is an accomplished filmmaker and animator and the recipient of three Emmy awards. He lives in a Spielbergian development in New Jersey with his wife, Donna, three children, and three nefarious cats, all of whom supply endless ideas for LIÓ.LIÓ is syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0740768492
• ISBN-13: 978-0740768491
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,162 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #91 in

  Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Cartooning

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Weird Kid Weird Komic, August 29, 2007

By	Arthur C. Adams (Laurel, MD USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I discovered Lio not longer after the strip debuted, and it rapidly became one of my favorite, if not sole favorite, comic strips.

Its a little hard to explain what Lio is about. The title character is a small boy who is absolutely brilliant and utterly twisted -- you can easily imagine him growing up to be a mad scientist. His pets are the oft-seen giant squid and spider, and the less-seen dragon and extraordinarily arrogant cat (possibly the only character in the strip the Lio actually obeys.)

The imagination level of the strip is on a par with Calvin and Hobbes, and I honestly think Mark Tatulli, the strip's creator, may be the long-awaited heir to Bill Watterson's throne. Now, this isn't as "innocent" as C&H was -- there's no sweetness or sentimentality here. But its gone the same "I wish my childhood was like that" feel.

Its also important to note that its done with (practically) no dialogue. The lead characters (basically, Lio and his dad) never speak, and any other dialogue is only used when absolutely necessary. That alone speaks volumes to Tatulli's skill as a cartoonist.

And for fans of comic strip in general, the strip is a treat, because Lio occasionally gets "involved" with characters from other strips. This collection includes "visits" to Peanuts, Cathy, and Mary Worth (of all things) to name three off the top of my head. (Though unfortunately, the screamingly funny For Better or For Worse strip will presumably appear in the next collection.)

I can't recommend Lio highly enough. If your taste in comic strip runs towards The Family Circus and For Better or For Worse, its not for you. But if you like twisted comics, Lio is a must read. And you'll be able to brag you were a Lio fan before everyone else was.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars silent comedy is golden, August 17, 2007

By	L. Hoh "toonmanity" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Mark Tatulli is a wonderfully talent cartoonist with a extremely wicked sense of humor. Lio is a silent strip, truly actions speak louder then words. After seeing his strips in my local paper, I couldn't wait to see what I missed out, the early days of the strip. Tatulli humor is very much in the same vein as Charles Addams and Gary Larson. I can't get enough of Lio and his creepy, and I do mean creepy, pals. If Addams and Larson tickle your funny bone, DON'T pass this up.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gary Larson meets Mr Mum meets Charles Addams and the Outer Limits, September 7, 2007

By	Robert Whitaker Sirignano "Robert WS--" (Directly above the center of the earth) - See all my reviews

Currently a strip I search for. I'm glad to have the book, which keeps me from trying to locate elusive earlier strips when it first started. Lio is wonderful. There's a definite pattern developing, and the strip's consistancy keeps ebbing up. Drawn with a pen, (HEART OF THE CITY is brushwork) the linework is crisp clean and inventive.

Lio's Dad is semi clueless, often seen with a beer in his hand smoking and dressed in his underwear, wondering who let the zombie in the living room to watch TV? Better dailys involve some comic strip history, invoking regret and joy from strips gone by.

A little creepy crawly, things some parents will hate and their kids will love it.

Definitely a keeper.