Quit Your Job [Paperback]

James Kochalka (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998

Jeff Smith provides the introduction to one of the finest new graphic novels this year. Ignatz Award winner James Kochalka has been called "one of the brightest lights of independent comics" and Quit Your Job is a shining example of his genius. On his way to work at the Chinese restaurant, Magic Boy discovers an enchanted ring and determines to make an expedition to the North Pole. He only gets as far as the coffee shop on the next block, but his world is forever changed in the short journey. Special cover design by Michel Vrana.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kochalka deftly combines childlike wonder with flashes of very funny adult cynicism; his singular black and white cartooning is some of the loveliest out there. -- SciFi.Com

Kochalka has emerged as a talent to be reckoned with. -- Francis Hwang - City Pages

Kochalka is all about simplicity, and the beauty inherent in it. -- Overstreet's Fan Universe, October, 1998

One of the brightest lights of independent comics! -- Diamond Comics Distribution

One of the brightest lights of independent comics. -- Previews

From the Publisher

James Kochalka`s distinction as a `rock star` has been tempered more and more lately by his acclaim as a cartoonist. Critics and fans have responded like crazy to his instantly recognizable comic books and graphic novels. Kochalka has won and has been nominated for many prestigious awards such as the Ignatz award, the Eisner award, the Firecracker Alternative Books award, and the Harvey award.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Alternative Comics (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891867008
• ISBN-13: 978-1891867002
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars sweet bedtime story for grown-ups., September 19, 1999

By 

Matthew Okin (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quit Your Job (Paperback)

James Kochalka, indie rock hero and comic creator, creates a wonderful tale with Quit Your Job. it follows Magic Boy and his cat, Kitty, as they travel to the north pole. Of course, they only make it around the block, but they still learn a lot on the way. Magic Boy misses the bus and decides to quit his job, finds a magic ring, and Kitty wins a contest. This sweet story, for adults and children whose parents don't mind them reading a few profanities, is a cartoonishly drawn story that you'll fall in love with. it rocks.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I already quit my job, December 30, 2001

By 

"mallclerk" (milwaukee wi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quit Your Job (Paperback)

If you have ever read James Kochalka you know that he is no average comic book. He is part of what is the new underground, along others such as Tom Hart, Ron Rege Jr and, Scott Mills. In which they abandon the traditional American way of comics, focusing less upon the creation of art and image as parts and focusing, upon creating a comic as a whole.
Kochalka's work is so packed with symbolism and metaphor that I doubt any other comic creator could pull it off with the fluidity and blatant love for life that Kochalka has. And unlike the many of the other comics on my shelf Kochalka's work gets better the more you read it, revealing layers of meaning that normally would have gone unnoticed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quit your job, November 3, 2001

By 

Mai daji "Melanie" (Newport, Rhode Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quit Your Job (Paperback)

This has got to be my all-time favorite comic book. Kitty, who in one frame emerges from a heap of newly-fallen snow, explains it perfectly: "It's deep". But also funny and beautiful on the surface. I always keep several copies of this book on hand to give it to all my friends.