Lots more "reading" in this graphic novel than in some of Ware's other work. Many of the short written excerpts are entertaining (and sarcastically accurate), but I prefer the illustrated panels best. Fortunately, there are still plenty of those!

This book is amazing.

This is an impressive book. I'd suggest reading other Chris Ware before attempting this one.

outstanding

My favorite part? The glow-in-the-dark star chart!
Great illustrations. Lots of detailed descriptive prose. Insightful commentary on human conditions that makes you think. Paper craft cut outs for your very own DIY miniature library. Plenty to keep you entertained.

I likely I picked this up because it was referenced by an author whose work I do thoroughly enjoy, and based on the fact that his work has won awards....but THIS was definitely not to my tastes; depressing, cynical, weird, and confusing. I think this is one of those books that you either love or hate. Honestly, I don't feel like typing up all the details.

The one thing I thought was kind of cool was the start charts w/ glow-in-the-dark ink & the intricate newspaper 'ads' stylized like the old novelty ads in comics.

Chris Ware has this amazing ability of punching you in the gut over and over, and yet you keep coming back for more because it's beautiful and powerful in its despair.

A great collection of Acme comics, beautifully bound. I love that all of the great "back page" ads are in one place, and it's a great book to have out on the coffee table for new fans to discover.

Sublime. Quick witted, succinct and sharp. It’s an oversized book with minuscule tiny fonts, I need giant magnifying glass to read, which add to the addictive magic. Chris Ware has a way of poking fun at human nature’s insecurities with very detailed tangental narratives. There are stick figures with giant belly with complex nuances and motives. Plus Rusty Brown, Quimby the Mouse, Frank Phosphate, Chalky White, Tales of Tomorrow. Layout is beautiful.

What a weird read, taking form of a magazine influenced by vintage look and feel while throwing all sort of loose threads of thought, in a twisted old MAD (TM) style, all with mini font sizes (literally had to grab a magnifying glass) and long narratives.

I haven't read Chris Ware in periodical form, and I wonder if I missed an opportunity there. Ware is a brilliant artist (his 2009 Building Stories is an amazing exploration of form and asks the question, entirely outside of digital disruption, as to what a "book" is), and he impresses here with a myriad of graphic design ideas. But I can't say this compilation is a pleasure to read, exactly. Given the comic-book/zine fine print and the relentless themes of loneliness, cruelty, and human stupidity get to be a bit much. It's still worth reading closely, though, for the occasional and usually unexpected flashes of compassion for his pathetic characters.

Colección de historietas de ware. Sobresale su sentido del humor, su maestría estilística y su capacidad para usar la puesta en página de muchas maneras...