Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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66 of 67 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Searching for Closure., August 17, 2000
I consider myself to be a moral person. I despise causing others pain. It makes me sick to watch cruelty. Human suffering makes me ache. As a matter of fact, I generally dislike comic books. So, what, you may ask, am I doing giving this particularly violent comic book five stars? Read the book and you will understand. It is at times quite hilarious, at others quite depressing. It has complexities of character and meaning that are rarely (if ever) seen anywhere else in today's pop culture. Johnny is insane. He knows it, the author knows it, and don't worry, the reader knows it too (if not, the author has recommended to such readers that they spend the rest of eternity pondering their own stupidity). He kills out of pure malice for the human race. He kills to savor moments of levity. He kills for reasons that are beyond his understanding. One would think he'd make a nice villain. Yet it is difficult not to pity him. He is the anti-hero of the story. This sad character has been tortured by the demons of society and by the demons of his mind. He is the grimy buildup of society's ills. He is the creation of cruelty. Perhaps in a better world, he could very well have been a bright, intelligent young man, as the author once said. Unfortunately, Johnny lacks the coping skills to have made this possible. Perhaps one of the most disturbing things is that the reader finds his or herself so able to relate to this psychotic killer. I found this book extremely provacative and incredibly enjoyable. Chicken Soup for the Soul, it ain't. One could relate it more easily to The Jungle. I would recommend this to any mature person with an open mind, a sense of humor, and a strong stomach.
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26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"It Changes Color When It Dries! I Have to Keep It Wet!", January 31, 2003
Johnny is the figure that skulks through the back alleys of society, always deemed as meriting the unfurled fingers of the "in" crowds as laughter rolls from their robust mouths or as they jeer and taunt with groups of their friends in tow. This is because he always seems to be different, existing on the fringes of a society he doesn't mingle into very well, therefore making him the perfect target for the mockery of others. Still, mocking people is not always the best solution when soliciting that quick burst of enjoyment, especially when the individual happens to be a homicidal maniac that, amongst other things, is consumed with keeping a certain wall in his home painted with blood because it can never be allowed to dry - and with good reason. This isn't the only thing reason that he does the things he does, mind you, because he sometimes revels in the simple interactions and subsequent torment of those that he deems worthy of his loathing, grouping everyone from rude diners to door-to-door surveyors in the happy little subclass we like to call the despised.On certain levels, it would appear that Johnny the Homicidal Maniac is nothing more than a montage of slaughter wearing a sheepish disguise, reveling in the primordial stew of emotions forged from suffering and lashing out at the elements that cause this inner turmoil. This, however, is far from the case because it contains many elements that, while not exactly inflating the bruised mentality of portions of a world that possibly merits scarring, work as a finger to point out these transgressions. It also shows another side to the combatant within this maelstrom as he tries to comprehend his place within the deeds that seem to rain blood, making him wonder why he seems possessed by such needs and why he can't get caught doing these things no matter how hard he tries. This leads him into the gates of heaven and into the depths of hell, with one question posed on his lips, "Why?" Joined by a dysfunctional cast of figures that include his ex-pet, now severed head Nail Bunny (you can sort that one out for yourself), Mr. Eff and Psycho-Doughboy (both doughboys that have some very questionable influences about them and some wonderful explicits painted on them), Squee - the little tormented boy that lives next door to Johnny, Devi - the one person to get away from him and to steal his heart in the process, God, and the Devil, you find yourself meshing a variety of thoughts and themes into something quite prolific. In fact, Johnny's search for inner-contentment and understanding of his role in the scheme of things wind down some harrowing roads that pit comedy and the doom of many a person hand in hand with social commentary to question and spit on the sensibilities of the masses. For that reason and because of his frequent tantrums that end in the greatest of fashions, this is merrily Recommended!!!
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun Fact: It's not a moose..., April 7, 2002
A Kid's Review
...But you will still want this book! Johnny the Homicidal Maniac is one of the funniest and most thought provoking forms of dark humor I've had the pleasure of reading. (Oh, just to let you know, Jhonen Vasquez isn't as messed or outcasted as some make him out to be.)The book collects all seven issues of the first, (and probably not the last) series of the JtHM comic books. These aren't quite the Super Man or Simpsons type stuff, but don't get the impression it's limited to the "Spooky People." Heck, it makes fun of them too. No one is safe from Jhonen's wrath. Through the character of Johnny C, (or Nny) we get to see all the people we love to hate get caught, tortured, and killed. And do we cry? Nope! We laugh. Why not? For those who think it's childish and disgusting, for all I know, you're probably right. But that's why this is in the form of a graphic novel, and not a text book. Ees fun! But there is more than violence and laughter. Further on in the book, we find Nny's acknowledgement that he is beyond redemption and isn't happy with himself. It brings us deeper into Nny's character, and wonder if he is the victim of his own choices... Oh, by the way, Nny isn't goth. It's a black n white comic, but he really isn't pale. Johnny and his colorful cast of voices aren't the only ones who get the spotlight. Both Squee and Devi get supporting roles that lead to their own spin off comic books. (Highly recommended as well!) And then there's Happy Noodle Boy. From what I've heard, he was created to tick someone off. Far from a masterpeice, but you'll laugh anyway, won't you? Hee hee. Then there's Anne Gwish, the "trendy goth" hypocrite who likes to pretend she's deep. The only things missing from this collection are the "Meanwhile" series, and Wobbly Headed Bob. They come packed in with the complement series, Squee! So if you like this one, check out Squee too. Now go, and buy this book!
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