Rating: 
Summary: Expanded second edition available!
Review: An expanded, second edition of this graphic novel is available. The title, Hard Looks, is the same; the ISBN is 1569712093. Amazon carries the new edition, so call it up now
Rating: 
Summary: "Look Down, or Look Hard"
Review: Andrew Vachss is a problematic short story writer. His style is so frontal and minimalist that often the stories are over before they have penetrated intellectually. Instead, the reader experiences a sudden burst of emotion or horror, leaving a stunned silence in its path. To be honest I prefer his novels, which give the reader a grace period before the roller-coaster starts down the first big drop.'Hard Looks' is really a compilation - 15 stories extracted from a Dark Horse comic-book series of the same name. Most of these stories actually appeared originally in two short story collections - 'Born Bad,' and 'Everybody Pays.' Six of the stories are strait text, the rest are adaptations of Vachss' stories to the graphic format. The largest percentage were adapted by Neal Barrett, Jr., but a broad spectrum of other authors are represented, from Joe R. Lansdale to Charles de Lint. Each story, graphic or not, is as tough as one can make a recreation of Vachss' work. The stories are about people who are suddenly brought face to face with the reality that underlies their fantasies, whether it is a kid who dreams of being a big tough in the neighborhood or a woman working in a phone-for-thrills studio. The only goodness that happens is on those rare occasions when evil loses the struggle. In Vachss' world, that isn't often enough. The illustration is pure pen and ink, by a variety of artists. While the general styling is gritty and noir, there is considerable variation. One of my few irritations with the book is that while the artists and adapters are given credit, they deserve a better introduction. Especially since only a small part of Vachss' readership is familiar with the modern comic as art. Like any experiment, some stories work better than do others, but over all, this is a very successful effort. Fans will enjoy the graphic insight into a dark work, and, hopefully, this will mark the introduction of one of the our most intense writers to an entirely new readership.
Rating:
Summary: "Look Down, or Look Hard"
Review: Andrew Vachss is a problematic short story writer. His style is so frontal and minimalist that often the stories are over before they have penetrated intellectually. Instead, the reader experiences a sudden burst of emotion or horror, leaving a stunned silence in its path. To be honest I prefer his novels, which give the reader a grace period before the roller-coaster starts down the first big drop. 'Hard Looks' is really a compilation - 15 stories extracted from a Dark Horse comic-book series of the same name. Most of these stories actually appeared originally in two short story collections - 'Born Bad,' and 'Everybody Pays.' Six of the stories are strait text, the rest are adaptations of Vachss' stories to the graphic format. The largest percentage were adapted by Neal Barrett, Jr., but a broad spectrum of other authors are represented, from Joe R. Lansdale to Charles de Lint. Each story, graphic or not, is as tough as one can make a recreation of Vachss' work. The stories are about people who are suddenly brought face to face with the reality that underlies their fantasies, whether it is a kid who dreams of being a big tough in the neighborhood or a woman working in a phone-for-thrills studio. The only goodness that happens is on those rare occasions when evil loses the struggle. In Vachss' world, that isn't often enough. The illustration is pure pen and ink, by a variety of artists. While the general styling is gritty and noir, there is considerable variation. One of my few irritations with the book is that while the artists and adapters are given credit, they deserve a better introduction. Especially since only a small part of Vachss' readership is familiar with the modern comic as art. Like any experiment, some stories work better than do others, but over all, this is a very successful effort. Fans will enjoy the graphic insight into a dark work, and, hopefully, this will mark the introduction of one of the our most intense writers to an entirely new readership.
Rating:
Summary: A Handsomely-Produced Collection of Brilliant Short Stories
Review: HARD LOOKS is an outstanding collection of 17 short stories by attorney/author Andrew Vachss, which makes an unflinching examination of all manner of human depravity while at the same time providing the reader with heroes and hope. The stories (titles include: DRIVE BY; DATE RAPE; LYNCH LAW; HEAD CASE; BORN BAD; CRIPPLE; DUMPING GROUND; and MAN TO MAN) have been adapted to graphic novel format by Joe R. Lansdale, Charles de Lint, Chet Williamson, Jim Colbert, Rose Dawn Scott, and Neal Barrett, Jr. and feature the splendid artwork of Geoff Darrow, David Lloyd, Gary Gianni, Warren Pleece, Jack Pollack, and others. The skillful adaptations and the beautifully-done artwork serve to greatly amplify the power of these hard-edged tales. For years I have admired the power and strength of Mr. Vachss' novels (FLOOD, STREGA, BLUE BELLE, SHELLA, ONLY CHILD, et al.). This collection, with the freedom allowed by the short story form and its wide range of subject matter, equals or surpasses the intensity of those books. This edition of HARD LOOKS is available in two versions, one with a photo cover and one with a masterfully-drawn cover by Geof Darrow. I would highly recommend the book featuring Mr. Darrow's artwork. Mr. Darrow's richly-detailed, colorful illustration tells a story (actually, many stories) all its own and is well worth the cover price.... HARD LOOKS ... masterfully adapted, wonderfully illustrated versions of 17 provacative, disturbing, and important short stories from Andrew Vachss.
Rating:
Summary: Hard Looks Rules! (where is the Darrow cover?)
Review: I learned about this new edition from the Andrew Vachss website. But Amazon, for *whatever* reason, doesn't have the ultra-hype Geof ("The Matrix") Darrow cover! Hey, Amazon, why can't we have a CHOICE? I mean, this photo cover is very good, but not everyone is so high-art -- some of us Vachss fans WANT the graphics cover! I got my Darrow cover edition at my local comics shop, and paid full price, which totally [was bad]. Get a move on, Amazon!
Rating:
Summary: Hard Looks Rules! (where is the Darrow cover?)
Review: I learned about this new edition from the Andrew Vachss website. But Amazon, for *whatever* reason, doesn't have the ultra-hype Geof ("The Matrix") Darrow cover! Hey, Amazon, why can't we have a CHOICE? I mean, this photo cover is very good, but not everyone is so high-art -- some of us Vachss fans WANT the graphics cover! I got my Darrow cover edition at my local comics shop, and paid full price, which totally [was bad]. Get a move on, Amazon!
Rating:
Summary: a mirror held up to the soul
Review: Pick up a copy of this book, and you won't put it down until you've savored every page. In most cases, I am annoyed by visual adaptations of my favorite written works. Movies, tv specials, and graphic novels have always disappointed me they never have measured up to my own imagination -- until I got hold of HARD LOOKS. This graphic adaptation of Andrew Vachss' short stories stands as eloquent testimony to the enrichment that illustration can give to excellent writing.
Rating:
Summary: a mirror held up to the soul
Review: Pick up a copy of this book, and you won't put it down until you've savored every page. In most cases, I am annoyed by visual adaptations of my favorite written works. Movies, tv specials, and graphic novels have always disappointed me they never have measured up to my own imagination -- until I got hold of HARD LOOKS. This graphic adaptation of Andrew Vachss' short stories stands as eloquent testimony to the enrichment that illustration can give to excellent writing.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Collection
Review: This brand new edition of Hard Looks is an amazing collection of stories in graphic format. Vachss has assembled some of the most gifted artists to bring these powerful stories to life ... Geofrey Darrow, Gary Gianni, Tim Bradstreet, Joe Lansdale, Charles de Lint, Chet Williamson, and too many more to name. My favorite story has got to be "Half-Breed" a chilling and well crafted piece that left me wanting more, and Darrow's detailed illustrations really brought the whole thing to life. For a real treat get both cover editions of this book. The comics cover illustrated by Darrow is a masterpiece! And on the book market edition the cover photo perfectly illustrates the grim, gritty reality of the stories inside. A definite must-have for Vachss fans and all those who want to SEE some of the best short stories ever written.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Collection
Review: This brand new edition of Hard Looks is an amazing collection of stories in graphic format. Vachss has assembled some of the most gifted artists to bring these powerful stories to life ...Geofrey Darrow, Gary Gianni, Tim Bradstreet, Joe Lansdale, Charles deLint, Chet Williamson, and too many more to name. My favorite story has got to be "Half-Breed" a chilling and well crafted piece that left me wanting more, and Darrow's detailed illustrations really brought the whole thing to life. For a real treat get both cover editions of this book. The comics cover illustrated by Darrow is a masterpiece! And on the book market edition the cover photo perfectly illustrates the grim, gritty reality of the stories inside. A definite must-have for Vachss fans and all those who want to SEE some of the best short stories ever written.
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