Same Difference & Other Stories [Paperback]

Derek Kirk Kim (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2004

After selling through the self-published run of Same Difference and Other Stories in just a few short months, Derek Kirk Kim proudly moves his debut collection to Top Shelf! Through a series of sensitive - and often hilarious - short stories, Kim deftly explores the not-so-average twenty-something's quarter-life crisis, romantic neurosis, and a refreshing slice of Korean-American life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Top Shelf Productions (July 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891830570
• ISBN-13: 978-1891830570
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #959,839 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humor and intrigue... Derek Kirk Kim rocks., July 19, 2003

By 

Lauren Hale (Fort Worth, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Same Difference And Other Stories (Small Stories Collections) (Paperback)

I absolutely adore this beautiful, beautiful, beautiful book. I read his stuff before, via smallstoriesonline.com, but I'm girl who likes things in print. Anyway, I deeply dig the art, style, storytelling, humor and well, everything. My personal favorite, besides "Same Difference", has to be either "Hurdles" or "Valentine's Day", yet I love them all... His work truly moves me.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, June 13, 2006

By 

C. Mendoza-tolentino "CMT" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Same Difference & Other Stories (Paperback)

Derek Kirk Kim is one of the best comic book artists/writers/graphic novelists out there today. He's up there with Alex Robinson, Seth, and that group of select creators who are making quality books for people who are growing tired of some of the stale, stagnant writing in mainstream comics today. As much as I like Frank Miller, Bendis, and the other people working at Marvel and DC, the writing often seems uninspired. Derek Kirk Kim, on the other hand, clearly loves his work and this collection, which you can see on his website as well as buy cool wallets, is fantastic. He captures not just the Korean-American experience, but the mindset of what it's like to be young and finding yourself. He describes life in California so well (and draws it so well) and it's entertaining to watch characters comment on what it's like to grow up and move out of the neighborhood. The dialogue is great and captures that feeling that when you're talking with your friends, someone needs to write it all down because it's so entertaining. Kim already did. And illustrated it. I loved this book and I'm sure you will too.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Utterly beautiful work., October 11, 2004

By 

John Murphy "www.stupidcreatures.com" (Asheville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Same Difference & Other Stories (Paperback)

Derek Kirk Kim is one of the very, very few uproariously talented cartoonists out there who's also a crack-shot writer. I'm a big comics fan, but my tastes err on the side of the artwork. Derek's book won me over for looks hands down. It's normally an added and rare bonus when good writing accompanies the art that makes me buy a book. Derek's book bore such a bonus. Even more rare is the occurrence of top notch art and quality writing coming from the same creator. Derek must have a small star where his brain ought to be. To be as talented as he is to be literally celestial. To produce such grounded, human subject matter that rings true and promises to outlive fad culture is also super(above)normal. The Xeric grant and the coveted Eisner award could not have been given to a more worthy creator. With or without that prestige, Derek's work deserves your attention. BUY HIS BOOK SO HE'LL WRITE MORE.