Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully haunting..
Review: I have never seen 'The Real World', nor had I heard of Pedro. I merely picked this book up on a whim, and discovered an amazing tale of friendship, both beautifully drawn and exceptionally realised. Brief, but hard to forget.
Winick's life has obviously changed after meeting Pedro, and I am suprised so many reviewers feel that he is capitalising on Pedro's death. Rather, Winick strikes me as having a great amount of love and admiration for his former friend, all the while using the comic medium to become a voice for Pedro's cause. Essentially the work is looking to promote AIDS awareness and direct a future that is increasingly knowledgable and embracing of non-normative sexualities.
The art is quite lovely; somewhat like Craig Thompson's 'Blankets', although the comic couldn't be more different. I thought the layouts were quite innovative and the whole piece was quite an achievement and obviously completely heartfelt, which is so uncommon in the comic genre.
However, I did feel that the time in the house was skipped over quite briefly to focus on his death. While the exploration of his demise was important, I think it is also essential to portray more of his household interactions, considering they were the basis for the friendship.
Additionally, the comic's cover is a real led-down point for Winick. It is poorly designed, old-fashioned and quite unappealing. It does not really exhibit the true wonder of this comic, which is a shame, because it is quite masterful.
Irrespective of this, I could not recommend this work enough. It is beautiful and deep, aching and gentle. I really admired it.
Rating:
Summary: A Wakeup Call for Humanity, this Decades Maus!
Review: I knew of Judd, not through MTV but through his outrageous Barry Ween Comic series. He scores high with me as a comic artist and entertainer but I was very unsure as to how he would handle such a challenging subject.I am no longer unsure. This book is beautiful! After reading Pedro and Me and feeling the love and loss expressed by Judd, I kick myself for not having watched Real World. I feel a tad diminished for having not known the man capable of making both Judd and his now fiancee Pam, dedicate themselves to him and his life. There are few books I have read in my 30+ years that truly moved me to the point that I questioned the way I look at life and interact with others. Pedro and Me is such a book and is a must read for anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Worth a read
Review: I laughed when I first realized the book was in comic book format, but once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It's a very quick and easy read, but totally worth it. I found it extremely moving. I recommend this book to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Pedro would be PROUD....
Review: I think Judd Winick has paid more than fitting tribute to Pedro's life and memory with being exploitative or trivializing his subject. During the Real World 3, I saw many instances of his loyalty and support of Pedro and his fight. When they had a RW reunion a few years back, Judd was visibly moved by a tribute to Zamora. Pompous and opportunistic are in no way appropriate to describe someone who only wants to keep alive the memory of a friend...
Rating:
Summary: A story of brotherly love
Review: I was concerned when I realized that Pedro and Me was in comic book format. However, it took me only minutes until I found myself lost in the story and repeatedly teary-eyed. Though funny at times, this was no comic. To me, it was primarily a love story between two friends that lasted until death and beyond. It is not often that we get to observe, much less experience, this type of committed brotherly love. I found it very moving, and it still haunts me. I was an ardent watcher of Real World San Francisco, however, so I can't know what reading the book would be like for those who didn't "live" with Pedro and Judd for 6 months.
Rating:
Summary: Touching and Funny
Review: I was doubtful when I first heard about Judd writing this book. It is incredible and very moving. The only other graphic novels I have read are Maus and Maus II and Pedro and Me is like those two books, a haunting treatment about a difficult subject.I'm a Real World fan from way back,but someone that hasn't seen the series would enjoy this book.I hope he and Pam are very happy together.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant and beautiful
Review: I was in my school's library, searching for a book to read and kill empty time with, when I laid eyes on a glossy copy of Pedro and Me. I was somewhat familiar of the story-I haven't watched The Real World religiously, but I know the casts, settings. And I remember a couple of years back, I read a story about Pedro Zamora, the young man on the San Francisco show who died of AIDS in 1994. I was picking it up, expecting a light, if sad read, and looking at its comic book form, my first thought was "a comic book?! This is not what I expected". But as I read each and every box, saw each and every detailed, elaborate picture, I became slowly engrossed in the book. Some pictures, without even reading the words to go with them, brought tears to my eyes. Judd Winick should be commended nonstop. I have never seen such a gorgeous tribute to anyone as this. Some parts of the book were extremely humorous, but I found myself crying towards the middle. I've known several people who've lost their battle with AIDS in the past few years, and it was often too painful to read at times. When Pedro wakes up with shingles, Winick's cartoons literally sent chills down my spine. Pedro is a hero, and will live on forever. I cannot fathom anyone making a nicer memorial to anyone, than this book. Don't let it's comic-book style fool you, it's simply mesmerizing. I applaud Winick, who stuck by Pedro through everything. Please don't miss this book.
Rating: 
Summary: opportunist writing
Review: I was skeptical when I started reading this book. My skepticism was confirmed upon finishing it. While I am aware that the proceeds were donated to very worthy causes; Mr. Winick propelled his own career into the forefront. . .artificially. Opportunity knocks! We learned about Mr. Winick in the Real World. Let us remember: Judd claiming that "Seinfeld was easy to think of; could have done it in my sleep". Sure, Judd. If Seinfeld's writing was anything like Frumpy the Clown, Seinfeld would have lasted it's intended six week run, like a bad spinoff show. Judd claiming that "Nuts and Bolts" is Seinfeld for the Gen Xrs. Unfortunately, Winick wouldn't know how to write for a generation, if Douglas Coupland grabbed his hand and led him the way. Puck said it best when he stated, "Get off your high horse Judd." That sentence (unfortunately said by a complete misfit)sums up this book. Pedro and me has a great message, supports a great cause, however, has a dirty undercurrent. While Judd's ability to create great animation is unquestioned; I question why this book was ever written.
Rating: 
Summary: Real World fans
Review: If you like the 3rd season, you'll like this book. Judd's illustrations are wonderful! The book goes beyond the show and is very touching.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Reality TV where u win Friendships and not $1 Million
Review: In this Summer of Reality TV and opportunities to win $1 million by screwing over or excluding your island or room-mates, Judd Winik, a cartoonist, and member of the third season of MTV's The Real World, presents us with the true story of living on a reality TV show for six months, where the prize was not $1 million and a Hollywood contract, but a lifelong lesson in friendship, courage, and love. Written in cartoon, or graphic novel, form, this is one of the few cartoon books that will choke you up. (not even Art Speigelman's Maus did it as well). Judd takes us behind the scenes of life in the Real World house, and imparts to us what he learned about friendship and striving to be a mensch in one's life. Behind the scenes, Judd tells us about the night sweats, the pneumonia, Pedro's anxieties, and Judd's growing fondness for his housemate (now fiance), Pam. The reader will also learn more about the life and death of Pedro Zamora. The first four chapters cover Pedro's life before his invitation to join the Real World 3 cast. Born on a leap day in a leap year in Cuba, anointed as a Grande Cabeza, Pedro grew up to be a scholar, track team captain, friend, brother and son. Zamora faced the realization that he was HIV Positive when he was only 17. Judd's book graphically conveys how Pedro, a popular student, faced his school and announced that he was living with the virus. With 25% of all new AIDS cases occurring among American teens, the book serves as an additional wake up call to readers and educators about why these issues must be confronted and discussed openly. As with Matthew Shephard, many Americans believe that Pedro Zamora gave more by dying than by living. This is far from the truth, and readers can get confirmation of this by reading this book....
|
