This is another one of the older Neil Gaiman graphic novels I haven't ever read so I was eager to read it. It was an interesting story; McKean's artwork is dark and provoking.
This novel basically tells about a boy growing up. The Punch and Judy show plays a significant part in parts of his life, and at times his life seems to imitate the play.
This is a typical Neil Gaiman story; it is well told, a little eerie, and a bit creepy. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this is more the story of a boy growing up than anything else. The Punch and Judy play has influence throughout the boy's life. Dave McKean's artwork is fantastic like usual and serves to enforce the eerie creepiness that surrounds this story.
It is a very dark book with some occasionally dark implications, best for young adult or older. I found it to be an interesting read and I enjoyed it, but it isn't something that I would sit down and read again. I did like the way the Punch and Judy play was woven through out the boy's life and echoed in events that surrounded him.
Overall I am glad I picked this up and read it. It was an interesting, if somewhat disturbing read, there were parts I really liked and I enjoyed the artwork throughout. If you are a Gaiman fan and like dark, somewhat disturbing images that are a bit fanciful you may like this. It is kind of a coming of age story with Punch and Judy influences. Not Gaiman's strongest work, but interesting all the same.
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The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch Paperback – Illustrated, September 1, 1995
by
Neil Gaiman
(Author),
Dave McKean
(Illustrator)
| Neil Gaiman (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
| Price | New from | Used from |
In his grandfather's seaside arcade, a young boy encounters a mysterious Punch & Judy man with a dark past and a woman who makes her living playing a mermaid. As their stories unfold, the boy must confront family secrets, strange puppets and a nightmarish world of violence and betrayal. Second printing. Graphic novel format.
- Print length96 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherVertigo / DC Comics
- Publication dateSeptember 1, 1995
- Dimensions8.63 x 0.23 x 11.62 inches
- ISBN-101563892464
- ISBN-13978-1563892462
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Product details
- Publisher : Vertigo / DC Comics (September 1, 1995)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 96 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1563892464
- ISBN-13 : 978-1563892462
- Item Weight : 1 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.63 x 0.23 x 11.62 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #915,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,496 in DC Comics & Graphic Novels
- #30,305 in Graphic Novels (Books)
- #79,177 in Fantasy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Neil Gaiman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Norse Mythology, Neverwhere, and The Graveyard Book. Among his numerous literary awards are the Newbery and Carnegie medals, and the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Will Eisner awards. He is a Professor in the Arts at Bard College.
Customer reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
97 global ratings
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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2011
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2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2000
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Neil Gaiman has several recurring themes to which he revisits again and again like the swallows returning to Capostrano. Foremost among these is the persistence of memory, which is the theme of "The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch."
The tale revolves around a Punch n' Judy show at a seaside carnival and how it acts as a trigger for a young boys memories of his family. As with much of Gaiman's work, there are tales within tales here, and the real story he tells is more implied than elucidated upon.
Dave McKean's art underscores this theme beautifully, with the "real" characters in the story as cartoon caricatures while the puppets look like photographs, exactly the focus with which young children would concentrate their memories. Can we not all remember a favorite toy more easily than our parents faces when we were little?
A marvelous and poignant tale well worth your time and money.
The tale revolves around a Punch n' Judy show at a seaside carnival and how it acts as a trigger for a young boys memories of his family. As with much of Gaiman's work, there are tales within tales here, and the real story he tells is more implied than elucidated upon.
Dave McKean's art underscores this theme beautifully, with the "real" characters in the story as cartoon caricatures while the puppets look like photographs, exactly the focus with which young children would concentrate their memories. Can we not all remember a favorite toy more easily than our parents faces when we were little?
A marvelous and poignant tale well worth your time and money.
55 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2016
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Disturbing. Dark. Bordering on the fantastical though it's the memories of the main character as a boy on the English seaside. Themes are very mature - a graphic novel for older teens/adults. It feels like that weird piece you bought in a curiosity shop imbued with some strange provenance. Very worth it if you like Gaiman.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2016
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Expected better from Gaiman. Wasn't as interesting or well written as expected, perhaps my standards are too high I guess. Shame though do like the guy alot genius artist in a unique way. Love his films.
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2015
Verified Purchase
This was a creepy, disturbing graphic novel by Gaiman. Illustration was spot on, arranged beautifully. I've enjoyed some of his other work more as this is very dark! But I still really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone into his work
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2015
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Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean together is always a recipe for incredible visual storytelling. Granted, McKean's style wouldn't be right for all of Gaiman's work, but when they collaborate, it's always amazing. Mr. Punch is a must read.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2013
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this story in a most odd way keeps your attention, leaves you wondering and thinking, aha. the artwork is beautiful,quirky and magical as well as disturbing, which is all fun.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2013
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This was on my son's wish list. I made an order and had it mailed directly to him along with a couple other item on his Amazon wish list. He loves it!
Top reviews from other countries
john parsons
4.0 out of 5 stars
Possibly stretching the old story, a little bit
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2014Verified Purchase
The analogy to parents/ relationships and the dire events that could occur via the medium of Punch & Judy was a strong ask. I wondered if the mythology and underlying story that was trying to be put across would have been brought through better. I will need to give it a couple of more re-reads to get through the depths of it.
Graphics were tremendous, it would be great to see these in a larger format.
Graphics were tremendous, it would be great to see these in a larger format.
One person found this helpful
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Mr. G. Slack
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2021Verified Purchase
Great book
Highly recommended
Highly recommended
Dean Thornton
3.0 out of 5 stars
This looks a good graphic novel!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2019Verified Purchase
I'm a fan of Niel Gaiman's stories, and, am looking forward to reading this one. Great. Thanks.
JD
5.0 out of 5 stars
I nearly cried....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 12, 2014Verified Purchase
I am amazed that I've never seen this appear in any "top 20 graphic novel" listings. The story and the art here totally blew me away....Dave McKean has more than earned his reputation on this book alone. The photo-art of the puppets is amazing, and at times nearly moved me to tears as the story is laid before you in it's darkest interpretation. The day Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean met should go down in history as one of graphic literatures finest moments.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 25, 2017Verified Purchase
Great book and a coffee table piece to impress visitors!









