Customer Reviews

Misery Loves Comedy

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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Misery Loves Comedy is a book so infused with self-loathing that it must be consumed in small doses: someone who read it in one sitting would probably blow their brains out.

There's nothing original about autobiographical comics from cynical people: Robert Crumb, Harvey Pekar, and Joe Matt made their careers out of exposing their flaws. But Brunetti pulls out all of the stops: his art is wild and grotesque rather than realistic, and his hatred extends to all of humanity.

And his art is really fantastic. It is dark, disgusting, and hilarious at the same time. The only time the book sags is in the second issue of Schizo, which includes a bunch of text only segments that aren't worth reading. By the third issue he goes back to comics and even deals with some new subject matter. While Brunetti is not for everyone, he is so passionate about his dark convictions that a lot of people will enjoy his comics who don't typically like this stuff.

File under "erotica/hate literature" claims the cover and the rest of the book takes it from there. Brunetti wallows in his pathologies and the reader can't help but feel better about their own self.

Beats therapy!

I have been a fan of Ivan Brunetti for many years and this compilation of his work is long overdue. He is not everyone's cup of tea and you definitely need a sick sense of humor to fully enjoy this book. I wish the publishers had included his other books, "Hee" and "Haw" to this collection. My only complaint is that Mr. Brunetti does not work at a fast enough pace to put out more material. I love his stuff!

Ivan Brunetti is a brilliant artist and his perspective is extraordinary and unique. You have to thank him for releasing his early work in this hardcover volume. If this was my work, I would not release it a first time, let alone a second. I would have destroyed the evidence. This is Brunetti at his unrefined, most self-indulgent raw self. In the introduction his therapist says that this work is a cathartic release for Brunetti. At any rate there is something in this book of Kafka's journals (which were never meant to be read) and the Marquis De Sade (whose work was written in his own blood on the walls of his prison cell).

I recommend this book if you are already a fan of Ivan Brunetti. His work is infrequent and you are no doubt craving more. This book will complete your collection.

If you are just getting acquainted with Brunetti's work, I suggest you start with a survey of modern graphic artists that will show you a few examples of his later, more 'mature' work. McSweeneys 13 comes to mind; it has some of Brunetti's lovely little graphic bios of famous artists and thinkers. Read that. You will be charmed and impressed. Misery Loves Comedy, however, is not for the faint of heart. Your girlfriend/boyfriend (or any discerning person) will be disturbed if they absent-mindedly select it from your bookshelf and start flipping through.

You have to know what you are getting into.

You know you're messed up when R. Crumb, of all people, suggests you might want to consider taking Prozac. Ivan is not for everyone, but for those who can take his bile, and stand up to it, you will find it worth the effort.

Misery Loves Comedy is one of the most disturbing comic collections I've ever read, but it is also one of the most fascinating books I've ever read. Ivan holds nothing back. He attacks everything and everyone. At first I thought he would just rant against conservative thought, which he does, but he also rants against liberal thought. The guy hates everyone equally.

This book is crude, rude, and disgusting, but it is also incredibly thought provoking. Be warned though, this is powerful stuff. Make sure you are up to it before you spend your money.

This book is a pleasure to read. Beyond being hilarious, it is well written and incredibly well drawn. Brunetti's abilities go far beyond a basic comic strip. I couldn't get enough of his twisted, bizarre humor. I think this book works well with those who share a similar sense of humor. He has a way of conveying exactly what is on his mind by pairing disturbing, laugh-out-loud illustrations with clever wit. This is a book worth reading more than once.

Comforting musings, rants and ravings on the disappointment and frustration of life.
It might also be therapeutic to observe another person over-indulging in self-pity and suicide-wish.
Nice drawing and intelligent.