Customer Reviews

Shutterbug Follies: Graphic Novel (Doubleday Graphic Novels)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've actually read this entire book, when it was on Jason Little's webpage. But I'm actually going to shell out the money for this book, which is surprising, because I rarely pay for any media I've already seen or can borrow from a friend. Why do I want this book bad enough to pay for it?
Simply put, Jason Little breathes life into the supposedly dead genre of action comics. But, unlike most neo-action comics, this piece doesn't rely heavily on "fighting the man" or some other deconstrutionist fantasy; it's an interesting story that would still work as a short story or novel, even without the stunning art. Reading this book is like watching a really really good movie and, best of all, one doesn't even have to be a "comic nerd" to like it!

One of the most common tidbits of literary advice that writers hear is to "show, not tell." In traditional fiction, this refers to describing what is happening rather than the narrator interpreting and justifying what occurs in a given scene.

This same advice, in a very literal sense applies equally well for the graphic novelist. Ideally, the only items that need to be "told" would be the dialogue between characters. The "showing" is done through graphics.

In "Shutterbug Follies" this advice is followed very well. The characters speak only when the pictures do not clearly show what their actions represent. The pictures decisively show characters taking action creating and solving problems. The dialogue is crisp and to the point. Dialects are handled, not with phonetic spellings, but with variations in syntax.

In many ways, the graphic novel shares a lot with film. Both are visual media that rely heavily on the audience knowing only what can be shown pictorially. The advantage that the graphic novel has is that one person's vision dominates the development of the story. This gives Shutterbug Follies a focus and consistency that many films lack.

"Shutterbug Follies" is the story of Bee, an eighteen year old girl, who by day works at a photo-mat deep in New York City. By night, she shares copies of the more interesting photos with her friend Lyla. When a photo of a female corpse in a bathtub catches her eye, Bee investigates further. She risks her life several times as she unravels the mystery behind the body.

This story is well told, with a drawing style that is simple and direct. The pacing draws the reader forward smoothly and efficiently. There are no subtle, deeper meanings in this narrative and these illustrations.

Jason Little's latest work, the graphic novel "Shutterbug Follies," is a pleasant diversion for an afternoon.

if you like the works of daniel clowes then this graphic novel will have you flipping page after page. this girl (fabulously named "bee") lives in brooklyn and works at a photoshop developing pictures. one day she gets a batch of suspicious pictures from a famous russian photographerand soon she is hot on what seems to bea murder case. jason little pours some of his best skills into the one. definatly something to share with your friends.

Shutterbug Follies is wonderful. I have been following the episodes on Mr Little's web page ...waiting anxiously for the next episode. His drawing is wonderful, the colors are beautiful, and his unique perspective views are amazing. Yay for Bee!

as much as i liked the story i really hated the print quality.
the book is not printed on glossy paper and colors are subdued when compared to original.
my copy has some smeared colors, the second part has half of the pages faded - it looks like when you printer cartridge is dying.
and the book is not very cheap!!
very very poor job by publisher.

This is a beautifully drawn and produced book, and Jason Little's sensibility is dirty, funny, quirky, and smart. Lingering over each frame was well worth while. My single favorite, though, is the taxi driver's band playing at Tonic: theremin, drums, bassoon, and electric guitar!

A graphic novel, but for an older audience. About a gal that works in a photo developing place who gets involved in a mystery when she develops some pictures of dead people. I liked it. You can check out some of Little's work online, just google him.

In a style reminiscent of Hergé, the writer/illustrator of Tintin, Jason Little has put together fascinating story of a young woman who develops pictures for a living. Thinking she has seen it all, she stumbles across something that shocks even her. This pulls her into an adventure that is worthy of a Hitchcock film.

If this book were a movie it would be rated R in the US. It is not for kids! But adults -- especially those who grew up with Tintin -- will love this graphic novel -- in all senses of the word!

The good:
-Quirky, interesting characters
-Strange situations
-Pleasing artwork

The (sorta) bad:
-The plot was fair

This book is a fun read, though occasional adult themes probably make this unsuitable for younger readers. I would love to see more stories about Bee, the main character.

The good:
-Quirky, interesting characters
-Strange situations
-Pleasing artwork

The (sorta) bad:
-The plot was fair

This book is a fun read, though occasional adult themes probably make this unsuitable for younger readers. I would love to see more stories about Bee, the main character.