The fear and frustration of two lonely people is indelibly stamped here but unfortunately it just felt like the opening chapter to something bigger. Mark this as incomplete.

Nearing the end of my Clowes binge with Mister Wonderful, a graphic novel originally serialized in the New York Times magazine. I was worried this would come off half assed considering it’s technically work for hire, but this turned out to be one of (if not) my favorite Dan Clowes book. I thought the character of Marshall was really relatable and likable. A lot of protagonists in Clowes’s bibliographies (especially his male protagonists) all have this insecure, self deprecating and loneliness to them, I feel that Marshall is the best of the bunch. You really understand where he’s coming from and it’s very easy to be on his side throughout the story. The temper of the character and the romantic attributes he has actually remind me a lot of Barry Egan from the film Punch Drunk Love. I thought the connection of the characters was authentic and I was actually rooting for them unlike a couple other romances in Clowes’s catalogue. The humor in the book was great too, it’s not overwhelmingly negative like his earlier work.

The art and presentation in the comic strip style was awesome. Clowes does change his style throughout similar to an Ice Haven, Wilson or Death Ray, but it’s used more sparingly making it more effective. The simpler “cartoony” style is reserved for Marshall’s inner thoughts and fantasies. The lettering is also great in this, I think it features the best use of internal monologue from Clowes. It uses monologue boxes to cover bubbles of dialogue which very simply articulates to the reader that Marshall isn’t listening. The comic strip style and format of the book also allow for jokes to land more effectively. They often conclude scenes and the chapters are broken up by this splash page esque double page single images.

Overall, I think this an impressive showing from Clowes. It’s the first one I’ve given the coveted 5 stars to (I still have to reread The Death Ray and check out David Boring. Also, I’d give Ghost World a 5 star rating if I read it by itself) and stands as a strong strong blip in his impressive bibliography.

A beautiful little love story not unlike the love story at the center of PTA’s Punch Drunk Love. Really good character work and perfect use of overlapping dialog, narrative, and thought bubbles.

Great, as always.

Not his best (of the three I have read). But still worth a read - nice slice-of-life and great art.

I'm so very impressed with this one, and to understand why, you have to understand Clowes' other work. Because, you see, Clowes is a bitter, bitter man. And I was expecting this to be more of the same. And it's not. And I loved that, even though I would've loved it if it was more of the same.

This story made me feel awkward. Somehow it was both super depressing and cute at the same time. A lot like Chris Ware, but I feel like Clowes doesn't have the balls to give you the worst ending possible.

I liked this pretty well.
I really enjoyed the ways it portrayed honesty within the world and within relationships (especially budding relationships), including the results from being overly honest and picking and choosing what truths to tell. At times it scared me because I thought my mind worked too similarily to a neruotic middle-aged man's mind (Mister Wonderful himself).
I did not fall in love with it; however, it was a pleasant read.