Comments on: So, I just read Persepolis over the weekend…

By: DanCJ

DanCJ — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:53:20 +0000

If you wish to preserve your enjoyment of this book, I strongly recommend you avoid its execrable second installment.

I thought the 2nd half was just as good as the first half

By: Ford MF

Ford MF — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:58:05 +0000

Also the hilarious thing about “Kafka” is that it was never intended to be an “important comic” in the first place. It was merely another installment in the now-venerable Brit (I think) “Introducing” series (“Introducing Kafka” was the original title). It wasn’t until after it had been out a few years that someone realized what an incredible thing Crumb and that other guy (Crumb didn’t write it I don’t think) did, and repackaged it as an “important comic” rather than what was essentially a “For Dummies” book.

By: Ford MF

Ford MF — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:55:28 +0000

If you wish to preserve your enjoyment of this book, I strongly recommend you avoid its execrable second installment.

By: Tomer

Tomer — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:17:45 +0000

The Hebrew translated version sits in my drawer for the last year and a half, and I have yet to read it.

By: MarkAndrew

MarkAndrew — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 07:11:17 +0000

Now, I’m OK with Carne De Voyage.

And I haven’t read it, so I’m speaking from ignorance here. But I just can’t believe that The Incredible Change Bots is a great work of comics art.

Or, well, not a huge pile of suck. Jeffery Brown does a Transformers parody? How could that possibly be good?

On the other hand it’s tough to argue with Go Where I Can’t Follow and Kafka.

And I really should re-read Persepolis. I know I read it, but I’ve got only the haziest memories.

By: J to the AAP

J to the AAP — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 07:02:32 +0000

I read the Dutch translation which is all four books in one tome and I think that’s probably the best way the read it. You get a clear view of the overbearing arc and almost feel as if you’ve grown along a bit with her. It’s not only a great book but also a great exmple of what the comics medium is capable of. I’d highly recommend it!

I do hope they do a second movie too, though I really like to see it it would be a bit depressing since #2 doesn’t exactly end happily (the movie encompasses Persepolis 1 & 2).

BTW, I agree with Patrick’s assessment of Blankets and Carnet de Voyage, i thought the same thing when I saw that list.

If you feel like reading more comics literature with ‘cartoony’ art I’d suggest Manu Larcenet’s Ordinary Victories. Fan-freaking-tastic comic, IMO.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:14:37 +0000

Carnet De Voyage is a very fun travelogue, but I don’t know if there’s a whole lot of literary merit there. I think Blankets probably makes more of a “statement.” The others I haven’t read.

Anyhow, I really liked Persepolis. I recall walking away from it not knowing quite what to think, which may well be an argument in its favor. I do know that Satrapi is brilliant at putting emotion on the page, and the portrait of a repressive culture that she sketches really connects with you.

I very eagerly look forward to the animated movie — I’ve only seen one or two clips, but they look fantastic.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 03:59:34 +0000

Guess what? You can find “important” comics like Persepolis all over the place. Comics that make actual artistic statements; comics that might just serve as literature. Let’s get started! Your homework:

1) Anders Nilsen – Don’t Go Where I Can’t Follow
2) Jeffrey Brown – Clumsy, The Incredible Change-Bots
3) Chris Ware – Acme Novelty Library 16 & 17
4) Craig Thompson – Carne De Voyage
5) Robert Crumb – Kafka
6) Chester Brown – Louis Riel

By: Johnny Bacardi

Johnny Bacardi — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:26:33 +0000

Uh…there’s still one comics reader left on Earth that has yet to read it.

Me.

Maybe someday…

By: Rohan Williams

Rohan Williams — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 01:10:20 +0000

What a great book. I’m looking forward to the movie, too.

By: FunkyGreenJerusalem

FunkyGreenJerusalem — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:26:23 +0000

r there boobz in it?