Grickle Paperback – June 4, 2001

I bought this after playing Puzzle Agent - Graham's style translated very well into that video game, but I wasn't fond of this collection of comics. It was unique and thought provoking, but in an uncomfortably melancholy way.An interesting one time experience, but not something I want to have on my bookshelf.

This book is great! A poignant slice of life beautifully illustrated in such a way to prevent you from wanting to turn to the next page lest the book should come to an undesirable end. And it's pretty funny too! Graham Annable comes up with poignant stories and characters that imbed themselves in your psyche so deep and hit so close to home you'll ask yourself, "Graham Annable, you magnificant bastard! What divine fate has brought you into my realm of existence and consciousness that you seem to tear into my very soul and extrude the heartache, joy and wonder that only a sentinant being such as I can experience!?!" Did I mention it's poignant? Anyone who enjoys feeling emotion and whimsically snickering at the enchanting foibles of this bizarre creature we call "Man" should pick up a copy of this book. It sparks the imagination with the velveteen touch of a dandy-fop! IT'S SO DAMN POIGNANT!!!

Deceptive in its clean and simple art, Grickle is full of dark comedy and tragedy in its assorted stories. A great use of the medium, Grickle makes you think about the world around you even as you jump at the conclusion to each story. Never sure if you should be laughing or cringing, Grickle is a great introduction to Graham Annable's works; I want to see more, please.

Annable's fresh humor and honest wit shine in this collection of short comics. You can't help but relate to his endearingly odd characters. Somehow, Annable conveys more than just emotion in them, which is an impressive feat in itself given the deceptively simple artwork. But he manages to portray their conscience and their deep-rooted fears and hopes as well. I love how adeptly such subtle themes of loneliness, self-doubt, relief, and satisfaction are packaged into such an enjoyable work of twisted humor. Do yourself a favor and read it more than once. It is at once leisurely, funny, clever and insightful, so you might not be able to catch all that the first time around.

There's this knock on the door, so I go and answer it, all right? And there's this copy of Grickle standing on the mat looking really pissed off. It doesn't even say "Hello" or "Hey you!" or nothing. It just jumps on my chest and starts wailing on me. Bam! Bam! Bam! And so I'm, like, "what the f*ck?" I try to tear it off of me, but I just get a bunch of paper cuts all over my hands. Paper won't tear. Too tough. Next thing you know, I'm on the floor crawling around trying to get out my lighter, but it sees me reaching for my pocket and it kicks it away. I gotta tell you, I was scared. Anyway, just when I thought that was it, lights out for old Alphonse, the book sees the copy of Grickle I got last month ago off of Bruno. It hops off of me and kind of grunts an apology. I could tell it was all embarassed and sh*t. Then it just takes off. Never seen anything like it.

I would have to say out of all the comics I have read Grickle makes me laugh the hardest. Never have I read a collection of stories that hit that close to the heart. Filled with childhood memories, worldly issues, snipits of life, Grickle more than fills your need for a good read. Annable gets so much expression in his drawings I find myself going back to my favorites time after time. Grickle is a book in which everyone can relate, Annable's work is a new driving force in the world of comics.

Very good and poignant book. Nice dry thoughtful humor that tickles my brain from time to time. A really good read.

Reading this book is like hangin with a good friend. There are things about him (the book and its diverse characters) that make me think of me. Other things make me think, I'll never fully understand why he does what he does? Would I find myself in similar situations? If I had a cupcake, would I hand it over to wee man? Is every diversion from the norm a fulfilling life experience? Sure it is. And so is my friend Grickle.