Rating: 
Summary: Harvey rocks!
Review: "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff". After seeing the trailer of the movie adaptation of American Splendor I knew that I had to see it. Although I haven't been able to see the film just yet, I did get a chance to purchase the book in my college bookstore! Harvey has a way of writing his comics to give you the REAL way of looking at the world in which we live in. Having had a friendship with Robert Crumb makes Harvey Pekar's work right up to par with Crumb. I think that Harvey Pekar is one of the best comic book writers out there, although under-rated, but I think that he's been able to come through for the fans and I can't wait to see the movie!This is our world, this is life, this is American Splendor :) .
Rating:
Summary: Life as it's never portrayed
Review: "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff". After seeing the trailer of the movie adaptation of American Splendor I knew that I had to see it. Although I haven't been able to see the film just yet, I did get a chance to purchase the book in my college bookstore! Harvey has a way of writing his comics to give you the REAL way of looking at the world in which we live in. Having had a friendship with Robert Crumb makes Harvey Pekar's work right up to par with Crumb. I think that Harvey Pekar is one of the best comic book writers out there, although under-rated, but I think that he's been able to come through for the fans and I can't wait to see the movie! This is our world, this is life, this is American Splendor :) .
Rating:
Summary: Harvey rocks!
Review: "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff". After seeing the trailer of the movie adaptation of American Splendor I knew that I had to see it. Although I haven't been able to see the film just yet, I did get a chance to purchase the book in my college bookstore! Harvey has a way of writing his comics to give you the REAL way of looking at the world in which we live in. Having had a friendship with Robert Crumb makes Harvey Pekar's work right up to par with Crumb. I think that Harvey Pekar is one of the best comic book writers out there, although under-rated, but I think that he's been able to come through for the fans and I can't wait to see the movie! This is our world, this is life, this is American Splendor :) .
Rating:
Summary: Great place to begin
Review: For those that have seen the film version of Harvey Pekar's AMERICAN SPLENDOR and are interested in learning more about him and his work, this is the best place to begin. This collection features many of his early works, up until the early 80's (before he married Joyce). Many of these comics feature artwork by R. Crumb (some of Crumb's best work in my opinion)and were recreated in the film. Don't be afraid that they are "comics". I'm sure once you begin reading, you will have a new appreciation for the artform.
Rating:
Summary: Real life made entertaining........
Review: I had all of Harvey's comic books up until 1980. When I came back from Navy boot camp I looked all over the house for them. I couldn't find them, however, and came to find out my mom threw them away! It was a huge disappointment because anyone that has read his accounts can identify with the material. I forgot about American Splendor until a few years ago...when I came across a copy of the anthology at a book store here in Cleveland. I bought it and found the other anthology and Our Cancer Year at Amazon. Bought both issues without a thought. You can take solace in the fact that "you aren't the only one" going through these things. It is very cathartic. Sometimes I'm glad I don't have Harvey's problems and other times I would trade mine for his. A friend of mine, knowing my conservative views, was surprised to find my interest in American Splendor. "Sure", I told him, "Harvey is on the left and I'm on the right politically, but life's problems aren't political. Hey, when you get to thinking about it a broken down car or lost glasses afflict us all." I would recommend this book to everyone because
we are all in the same boat...some just sink faster.
Rating:
Summary: Real life made entertaining........
Review: I had all of Harvey's comic books up until 1980. When I came back from Navy boot camp I looked all over the house for them. I couldn't find them, however, and came to find out my mom threw them away! It was a huge disappointment because anyone that has read his accounts can identify with the material. I forgot about American Splendor until a few years ago...when I came across a copy of the anthology at a book store here in Cleveland. I bought it and found the other anthology and Our Cancer Year at Amazon. Bought both issues without a thought. You can take solace in the fact that "you aren't the only one" going through these things. It is very cathartic. Sometimes I'm glad I don't have Harvey's problems and other times I would trade mine for his. A friend of mine, knowing my conservative views, was surprised to find my interest in American Splendor. "Sure", I told him, "Harvey is on the left and I'm on the right politically, but life's problems aren't political. Hey, when you get to thinking about it a broken down car or lost glasses afflict us all." I would recommend this book to everyone because
we are all in the same boat...some just sink faster.
Rating:
Summary: Life as it's never portrayed
Review: It's one of the marks of a genius that he can see what's extraordinary in the ordinary. That's Harvey Pekar's gift. While he may seem mordbid or depressing to some, the way he renders the little moments in life is truly inspiring. I would recommend this book to anyone who says "drama is not the stuff of ordinary life." Wrong! It just takes the right eye to see it. Pekar also reminds me of Charles Bukowski (Post Office) and Richard Perez (The Losers' Club). I recommend American Splendor: The Life and Times of Harvey Pekar -- highly!
Rating: 
Summary: Seinfeld-like tripe, that is, just a show about nothing
Review: Pekar is an okay writer who has absolutely nothing of any importance to say about anything, so he fictionalizes trivial incidents from his humdrum existence as a file clerk in Cleveland into badly drawn comic books and calls it writing. In short, this is a guy who did nothing with his life except write about how he was doing nothing with his life. The thing is, there are millions of people out there who do even less with their lives, so they eat this stuff up with a spoon. Go watch paint dry instead and save your money.
Rating:
Summary: Splendid
Review: This book contains two classic comic anthologies in one volume. It features the contents of the out of print books American Splendor and More American Splendor. Obviously, this was released to capitalize on the publicity that the American Splendor film is getting. Well, if the movie inspires people to search out the comics of Harvey Pekar, that is a good thing. This is great stuff. Harvey has a way of making ordinary life seems interesting. I think if you saw the movie and liked it, you will also dig this book.
Rating:
Summary: Splendid
Review: This book contains two classic comic anthologies in one volume. It features the contents of the out of print books American Splendor and More American Splendor. Obviously, this was released to capitalize on the publicity that the American Splendor film is getting. Well, if the movie inspires people to search out the comics of Harvey Pekar, that is a good thing. This is great stuff. Harvey has a way of making ordinary life seems interesting. I think if you saw the movie and liked it, you will also dig this book.
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