Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very refreshing, September 26, 2001
In an industry where 'bigger, harder, shinier' is the status quo, the 'Box Office Poison' collection (this book collects every single Box Office Poison issue in existence, making it a more than complete story) came to me as a refreshing experience, and a very good one at it.
I can understand why people compare it to 'Strangers in Paradise', but I will hastely add that it's not the same kinda book in its entirety. Where Strangers in Paradise almost exclusively focuses on relationships and what comes with them, Box Office Poison takes a wider view and handles everyday life of a certain group of people in it's entirety. WITH relationships, but also with (in)security issues, finding out what to do with your life, gaining perspective on it and REALLY see how a personal life evolves (where it is a little romanticized in most comics in this 'genre', even Strangers in Paradise). The main point is that nothing happening in it is in any way forced. It's what comes and goes. Very relatable.A storywise introduction: Although the story is about an entire group of people there are two characters, the friends Sherman and 'Ed', around which everything evolves, the red line if you will. Sherman is just out of college, wants to be a writer, but for now works in a bookstore as a clerk. The shy and insecure Ed wants to become a cartoonist. Along the book you'll witness the ups and downs, recognizable joys and annoyments (funny if you're into sarcasm) and relationships being made and broken. Various things happen like for instance: Ed trying everything he can to gain some confidence, honesty and loyalty (or lack off it) in the comic industry, people assuming things they 'heard somewhere' and only seeing how somebody means something to you when he or she isn't there at the time. But also less 'deep' things like a philosophy about why men just HAVE to look when there's cleavage shown and stupid things people ask clerks (you'll find yourself go "damn, I did that !' more than once). All in all this little un-exaggerated comic-book soap-opera is the nicest thing I've read in a while and the most refreshing thing since I first opened a Strangers in Paradise Graphic Novel.
The art is, compared to the before mentioned book, a little less good but the variety in storylines AND a very plot-twisting last few pages makes than up more than enough. Funny as well, but never forced. Very relatable and as uncliche as it gets. A lot of good pages of fun for your money.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Didn't want it to end, December 5, 2001
The real-life-like story of Sherman, Ed, Dorothy, Jane, et al, is an incredibly gripping journey that I didn't want to end. Despite it's length of over 600 pages, the compiled Box Office Poison was a joy to read, and, due to becoming immersed in the story, very quick to finish. The characters and situations in BOP should be familiar to nearly anyone, and provide more lifelike scenarios that any book or movie out there.If you're the least bit interested in "alternative" comics without superheros or far-fetched storylines, this is your chance to pick up something amazing. Highest recommendation!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Box Office Posion Success, June 9, 2001
By A Customer
I have been one of the fortunate people to be following Box Office Poison since the start of the series when it was just a mini-comic. Seeing this culmination of the 21 individual issues in this huge book and holding it in my hands confirms what fantastic characters and stories Alex Robinson can write and draw. This is a must have for anyone that enjoys a funny, sad, surprising, truthful story of believable characters that could be people in your life. This isn't a graphic novel just for people who like graphic novels, but for people who enjoy great fiction storytelling. Kudos to Top Shelf for putting together a book that no one would be embarassed to read on the subway. I hope many will request this book!
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