Customer Reviews

Punk Rock and Trailer Parks

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This graphic novel takes place in Akron in 1979 and 1980. The lead character is Otto, a dorky eccentric teen who calls himself "The Baron". He gets involved in the punk rock scene and manages to become a hero to local punks. Several real life punk legends appear in the comic, as they perform at the club Otto works at and have misadventures with him. This is a hilarious and at time poignant book that really captures the feel of what punk was like at the time.

More comics should be like this.

As Derf says in his opening remarks, "it's not a true story... but it could be."... and he's right. PR&TP taps into the 'voyeur' side of us, as it reads as though we were observing reality. The well crafted characters, attention to detail, and 'believability', make this wonderfully illustrated graphic novel a must to own & give.

If you like independant cartooning (ie: Joe Matt, Julie Doucet or Fudge) then you'll probably dig Derf's work. Get it. Give Derf heaps of money so he doesn't have to earn money at a day job, and can make these books full-time... because I want more.

-Bobby.N

Man, what a fun read. A punk-rock novel capturing the beginnings of the punk-rock scene. The Baron is a character for the ages -- hugely self-deluded, but completely self-confident, and with an attitude that can't be broken. This was one of those rare books where I immediately wanted to know what happened to the characters after the last scene.

A true classic graphic novel. Derf captures the mood and the scene of punk rock coming up in downtrodden suburbs perfectly. The characters are great - reminded me of so many real-life people from that late 70's / early 80's early scene. Awesome.

been a city fan by derf forever this a great book I love all his stuff I can't say enough about this one except it was over to soon a real page turner it's allmost as if derf grew up reading MAD. DHUUUUUUUUUU..boiiiing...doiiiing....... daveedtn

Vivid, specific, street-level, unvarnished comix about a time and a place, music and youth. Throw in a little "Last Picture Show" and what more do you want? Grab it.

Derf scores with this low brow cartoon about the life of a loser. This is must read for fans of Crumb, Hotwire, Weirdo and other "low brow" and hilarious comics. Not for kids.

Okay, I won't lie to you...I didn't buy Derf's book, nor have I read the whole thing (only the preview at his website, [...], which everyone reading this review is hereby instructed to take a look at). He asked for someone to liven up the product page for his new book on his website this morning, so that's what I'm doing. I love Derf and have been a loyal reader of his strip The City for years (he's even put some of my letters to him in the WORDS section and corresponded with me via email a few times...you won't find a more fan-friendly artist anywhere). Derf's comic strip is consistently hilarious. It's wonderfully irreverent and acidly skewers virtually everything in our modern culture. You wouldn't think such a seeming misanthrope would have such a great sense of humor, but there you go. If his strip and other works (such as My Friend Dahmer) are any indication, Punk Rock And Trailer Parks must be as funny and honest a portrait of its given time and place as you're liable to find anywhere.

Buy the book, check out the website, and I promise you'll laugh plenty and think plenty more.