Rating: 
Summary: The darkest comic ever written!
Review: This comic is so dark that it caused depression each time I read it. At the same time, it caused a great amount of fun as I would yell out quotes from the amazingly clever conversations and monologues. Though it is depressing, it is truely hilarious.
Rating:
Summary: Subliminal meassage: Eat the peas...
Review: Johnny The Homicidal Maniac is far more than an existential-gen-x-goth-gore-comic-book, it's truly a parable of modern times where the protagonist is at times highly likeable and easy to identify with; while at other times he's despicable and just not nice... This work explores Confucian ideas of civility and morality - is chalked full of artful angles and highly stylized art - boasts an amazing array of fantastic monologues and all while indulging a morbid satirical sense of humor. Something, which adds an interesting perspective, is the fact that the protagonist is a villain with whom we can identify, " I'd hate for Nny (Johnny) to be some one-dimensional monster. There is no doubt in my mind that he's a villain in a story peopled by slightly less reactionary villains. I also don't want there to be some convenient origin to his character that would make us understand how he came to be, thus making us sympathetic towards his situation." - Jhonen Vasquez. Another most interesting thing, which this book contains, is its dual perspectives; you may either see it as the story of a demented schizophrenic or an unlucky subject of a supernatural mishap, or perhaps something in-between. All in all, this is an amazing piece of work. Spooky meassage: The peas is evil I tells ya! evil!
Rating:
Summary: One great comic!
Review: Although the director's cut doesn't contain all of the segments contained in the single issues (such as the ice sucky fiasco in "Johnny the Dead Homicidal Maniac"), it contains comics only printed in Carpe Noctem magazine, some issues of which are currently out of print. This comic is hilarious and revealing, if you let yourself go and embrace that little bit of dark and evil inside.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE YOU JHONEN
Review: I consider myself quite well read as far as independant comics go, and I must say that Johnny the Homicidal Maniac is definatly the best I've come across. It's absolutely hilarious at times, and at other times it is one of the most intensly philosophical pieces of art one could hope to find. My love for Jhonen Vasquez's work is unfathomable, proof being the beautiful Johnny tattoo on my leg, heh heh. Anyway, read this! You won't be sorry!
Rating: 
Summary: Not your typical gore comic
Review: This is a great book for anyone with a morbid sense of humor. It tells the story of Johnny, a confused, insane, homicidal teenager, and the progression on his insanity. It goes beyond typical violent comics and includes (gasp) a plot. Johnen Vasquez spends a great deal of time exploring Johnny's psychosis and has lots of fun in the process. He makes fun of everyone, including himself. Caution to some readers: it is extremely violent. If you can buy the individual issues, you'll get extra stuff in each issue such as the the "Meanwhile..." and "Wobbly Headed Bob" segments that are not included in the Director's Cut. Yet it does contain the full seven issue story of Johnny. I give it four stars instead of five only because it is not suited to all tastes. I think its hillarious.
Rating:
Summary: This is NOT your Dad's comic book...
Review: It begins with a demented loner, his little house, and the implements of torture within. Johnny is every misanthrope's hero-figure, a killing machine without a shred of remorse. In these intensely-drawn pages, he does to others what some of us only dream of. As he conducts his murder spree on the lesser humans around him, Johnny always justifys himself with a comment, lesson, or wicked one-liner that will leave you laughing from the sheer horror of it all. If you hate people, wait til you meet up with NNY! There is also an assortment of twisted supporting characters such as Squee (the innocent neighbour kid), Happy Noodle Boy (a raving cartoon character drawn by Johnny), and Wobbly-Headed Bob (every nihilist's hero-figure). Evil was never so much fun!
Rating:
Summary: "Dear Die-Ary, Today some friends came over..."
Review: I can say, without any sense of doubt, that "JTHM" (short for "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac) is unquestionably one of the most perverted, sickest, deranged, gruesome and disturbing thing I have ever read in my life. Normally, when you hear somebody describe something with such words as the ones I have used, you'd think there's no way in the world that the person enjoyed it. However, I'm telling you that I really enjoyed myself reading this. Sure, it's sick and twisted--but that's the purpose of "JTHM." It's not here to solve world hunger or bring peace to the world. It's here for entertainment purposes. This book is a collection of "Johnny the Homicidal Maniac" comic strips about a twisted and sadistic character, Johnny. Johnny is one disturbed cookie, as he goes around killing numbers of people on any given day. Sometimes he kills them quickly--other times, he likes to play around and torture them. He doesn't know exactly why he does what he does, and he even questions it all at one point. There's a wall in his house that must be kept painted with fresh blood from his victims, or an unspeakable horror will reveal itself. Johnny is also extremely suicidal and attempts to end his life many times, but there's always something that gets in the way of him trying to do himself in. While he hates everybody in the world--which is the cause for all of his violent outbursts, the only human being he can tolerate is a cute little kid known as "Squee." However, he keeps traumatizing the kid with his "crazy antics." I know what you're thinking. How can something so deranged and gruesome be viewed as "funny?" Well, there's really no easy answer for that. It's funny because you know that it's not serious and it's not trying to take itself seriously. Jhonen has created a nightmarish world of pain and suffering, but is able to be humorous and openly sarcastic about it. He's always grinning at you along the way, throwing in subtle little jokes that are hidden throughout the book. In fact, this is something you need to read more than once, as you're bound to miss a few hidden things the first time around. Vasquez has created a ghoulishly world filled with unspeakable terror and dark comedy. In no way is this recommended for people with weak stomachs. You have to really have a warped sense of humor to appreciate "JTHM," and yes--I am a pretty warped person. The book is bound to get a reaction out of you, whether it's pure disgust or helpless giggling. It does contain graphic violence, adult themes, and dark and disturbing imagery. It's a work of fiction that is in your face and refuses to make any apologies for its existence. Sick and demented, "JTHM: The Director's Cut" is a disturbingly good time that is bound to give you some messed up dreams if you read it all in one setting late into the night. It might be nothing more than a sick-fest of blood and guts, but I think it's done in a clever--and yet, zany way. If you're looking for something dark and unrelenting, this is definitely something to check out. Just make sure you know what you're getting yourself into once you decide to open that door... because Johnny is never fond of allowing his "guests" to leave once they enter his house of horrors. -Michael Crane
Rating:
Summary: Funniest, Wittiest dark satire I have ever read!
Review: Where can you find an intelligent and witty glimpse into the sickened, insane, cold-blooded mind of a habitual killer? Right here with Johnny, The Homicidal Manic. This is clearly a graphical novel for adults only (read the title, parents!), JTHM is a bloody and savage treat to the warped followers of horror and horror satire. If you ever laughed when the Road Runner dropped the Coyote off a cliff and turned him into an accordion, then you should find a chuckle or two in Vasquez's humorous look at homicidal mania. The cartoons are brutally savage and yet excruciatingly funny, but don't worry because they are all done in black and white so the gore is not as intense as it could have been. Interspersed with Vasquez's storyline are tiny text boxes that cement the fact that this is a satire with such thoughtful comments as how the scene was filmed (its a picture), and cautionary remarks like "Parents: Don't get upset - It's a fake brain." and "Stupid People: I would ask you to keep in mind that this should *not* be a source of moral guidance." and "Kids, don't be stupid and try this: this is a trained flying toddler." Hilarious little blurbs like these are also accompanied by Noodle Boy breaks. Happy Noodle Boy is the comic strip that Johnny writes, the second (and worse) cartoon within a cartoon, along the lines of "Itchy & Scratchy" to The Simpsons and "Terrance & Phillip" to South Park. You will indulge your darker half with the intelligent debates between Johnny and his victims, see a gruesome Public Service Announcement, discover that God is a fat baby in a lounge chair and that the devil is a cheerleader. The dialogue is clever, the drawings hilarious, the storyline amusing, and the satire thick and twisted. Everything a horror fan could want in a graphic book. The cells are quite busy, but take your time reading this dripping black jewel; you don't want to miss the extras thrown into each frame. Also take note of those chapters with scrolled or fancy looking borders. Hidden within the borders are messages such as "I like Ramen" and "Are you awake?" and "I am no potato." As a finisher to this tasty meal, a dessert of early sketches is presented, along with character boards for Johnny, Nailbunny, Mr. Eff, Psycho Doughboy, Devi D., Tess R., Anne Gwish, and Squee. (who later gets his very own book!) Completely rounding out our meal, Vasquez also included commentaries on the issues that JTHM was originally released in, and a hysterical interview he wrote by himself...with himself. The wit and barbs just fly across these pages, and though the humor is indeed dark and intended for horror fans, I think you will be surprised at finding it is humor with intelligence behind it. I deeply enjoyed JTHM, I hope you do too.
Rating:
Summary: This is not Invader Zim.
Review: If your only exposure to Jhonen Vasquez's work is Invader Zim, be warned.
Johnny the Homicidal Maniac is nothing like the cartoon shown on Nickelodeon, save for the dark humor (which is amplified in this book.) I went through the bad reviews for this, and saw a lot of the people reviewing were expecing a Zim clone and were disappointed, shocked, and horrified by the contents of Johnny (though that should be a given with the title and all...)
For a lighter read, and a good introduction to nonZim Vasquez, I suggest "Squee".
With it's language and violence, I wouldn't recommend this book for children or the faint of heart.
It's dark sense of humor, unique delivery, and ability to poke fun at itself (and the goths who idolize it) make this an enjoyable read for those who can take it not so seriously.
Like it says in the begining of the book, everyone has a monster inside of them (whether they want to admit it or not.) Reading JtHM is a chance to let that monster play without causing harm to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Parents, don't be alarmed this "book" is great for getting your kid to read- it not only gets into the mind of the author and "NNY", but it introduces more ideas about heaven and hell and the irony of life.
I love this collection of all the JTHM comics. Being a fan of Slave Labor Graphics, this is probably one of the top 3 on my list.
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