James

By Mark Tonra

Book Overview

Award-winning cartoonist Mark Tonra uniquely interprets the quintessential tug-of-war we call "childhood," where innocence confronts experience, right debates wrong, and halfhearted independence challenges a loving lap to sit on. Buffered by his own wide-eyed resilience, James collides daily with life's most poignant and comic truths-exhibiting a bravado (both real and false) that is at once endearing and universally human. With a deceptively simple palette, Mark Tonra skillfully paints a detailed portrait of every reader's experience. Wit and wisdom are on full display as James marches through life with his offbeat -and equally adorable-cohorts. is a rare combination of heart and razor-sharp humor that has comic fans of all ages shouting for more

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0740721968
• ISBN13: 9780740721960
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC
• Length: 130 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.6" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

simple, deep, and resonant

Tonra has pared down the comic strip to its barest essence. Fans of Cathy, Marmaduke, Garfield or Dilbert won't be pinning James to their cube walls - not much topical humor here. But if you've willingly read Scott McCloud, if you've paused to admire the nuances in Michelangelo's sketches, if you're open to the Muses at all, you're likely to get blindsided by the emotions found here. The experiences that may come closest are 1) absorbing one of Bill Watterson's wordless Calvin & Hobbes strips on a snowy afternoon, or 2) hearing an old friend who's stopped surprising you say something uncharacteristically profound. Don't worry - you'll laugh. But you may keep smiling long after you've forgotten why.

Sweet and Insightful

My daughter loves James, Martha, Sweetie, et al. She loves to quote James, and make up her own "James-isms". One awesome thing I want to mention is that my daughter wrote a fan letter to James and Mark Tonra answered her with an original sketch, written on the letter she sent! That tells me what a good guy he is.

Everything I expected and more

I first fell in love with James over the internet, saving every days' individual strips. It's truely a pleasure to find out that Mark Tonra's work has found it's way to a book. I am so glad to be able to have them in a dead-tree format that I can share with my own little James (we call him "Nathan" ^_^).If you have a toddler or love kids and how they can seem to be more adult than some adults, you will -love- this book.

Sweet Baby James!

I really dig this comic strip. At first glance, you might think it's just about some baby, but James' insight and wisdom on growing up and living a good life is way beyond his years...from friendship to mischief makers to hot baby-sitters, James has a way of working himself into the most unsuspecting hearts.The word on the street is that a second James collection will be coming out in Spring of 2003...keep your eyes peeled for another whopping dose of James goodness!

What a kid!!

When I saw this book I took a look and decided to see what it was worth. I really liked. James is a unique character. A young kid with a huge personality and a great "dark" side that allows him to pursue new disaster with a smile. It really is a young kid discovering the world. The drawings are clean and minimal great to read and probably look great on the newspaper too.I look forward to the next book from Mark Tonra and "James", it muat be great!