Why I Hate Saturn [Paperback]

Kyle Baker (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Vertigo (August 31, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930289722
• ISBN-13: 978-0930289720
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.4 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,180,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clever and witty, November 12, 2001

By 

Ron Tothleben ([e-mail]) (Tilburg, Netherlands, Europe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why I Hate Saturn (Paperback)

This is a very impressive `talk-comic' in the style of `Strangers in Paradise' and "Box Office Poison', which I think is even better than the aforementioned titles. It's (mostly) about everyday life and all the views a society-critical person has on it, brought with subtle humor.

Main-character Anne is a columnist for some obscure magazine. While she makes her way through life she gets into all kinds of Seinfeld-esque situations, meaning she overanalyzes things we all come across so that everything gets to be a point of either insecurity or humor. Especially the do's and don'ts in relationships are points of discussion. Accompanied by Ricky, a guy who seems to have women all figured out and comes off as verbally unbeatable, she comes across things that are wrong with her (or at least she thinks so), men, and not being able to do anything without valid I.D. And as if her life isn't troubled enough her seemingly crazy sister comes to live with her, claiming she's the `Queen of the Leather Astro-Girls of Saturn'...

One of the best things I've read in a while ... and I do read pretty variable. A smart, well-written continuation of dialogues with many moments that make you think `been there'. The good-looking art is black-and-white with a tone of gray. It's best considered as a cross between Bachalo's art (Death: High Cost of Living) and Sale's (The Long Halloween). Also, the art is nowhere interrupted by text-balloons. All the dialoguing is written under each panel instead of in it. This book is not for those who're looking for an action-packed story with art blowing of the pages, but for those who're into witty dialogues and slightly sarcastic views on everyday life it's one of the best choices you can make.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good, September 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Why I Hate Saturn (Paperback)

I'm not going to tell you what I think of this book. Or rather I am, but not in the usual I-love- this-book sort of way. I first read this book when my ex-girlfriend made me read it as a "growth experience." Several years later I saw it at a comics convention and immediately purchased this fine pulp product. I then lent it to one of the local ultra-hip coffee house vixens, who promptly dropped off of the face of the earth, never to be seen agian. I'm sure these two events are completely unrealated. Needless to say,I've been searching for it (and her) ever since.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hillarious!, July 21, 2002

By 

TheIntruder - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Why I Hate Saturn (Paperback)

I have never read a comic like this before. Most Vertigo books seem to have an Alan Moore feel to it, but this is completely different! Funny comics tend to be silly, surreal or corny, but this isn't! Its firmly grounded in the real world, despite its strange title, except for an unrealistic ending.
The story follows a New York columnist's quest to find herself and her relationship with her sister. It doesn't sound like much, but trust me, you'll love it. Some parts of it actually had me laughing out lound, no easy feat.

I have liked his art for a long time, but this is my first exposure to Kyle Baker as a writer and I am impressed. There are no flashy fight scenes or splash pages or anything like that. Although the art is pleasant, the book is carried on the strength of the writing alone... no gimmicks whatsover.