Writer(s): Chad Brewster, Jeff Drake, Justin Hook, Rachel Hastings, Mike Olsen
Artist(s): Robin Brigstocke, Bernard Derriman, Frank Forte, Tyler Garrison, Tony Gennaro, Kat Kosmala, Brad Rader, Hector Reynoso, Steven Theis, Damon Wong
Cover: Steve Umbleby
March 18, 2015
Format: 136 pgs., Full-Color, Trade Paperback
Rating: Teen+
Now you can read about the Belcher family (parents Bob and Linda, and their children Tina, Gene and Louise) with brand-new in-canon stories created by the TV show's producers, writers, and animators--and overseen by series creator Loren Bouchard! That's right, all-original stories that expand upon the fan-favorite animated series, including hilarious installments of "Louise's Unsolved Mysteries," "Tina's Erotic Friend Fiction," "A Gene Belcher Original Musical," "Letters Written by Linda," "Bob's Burgers of the Day," and much more!
Format: 136 pgs., Full-Color, Trade Paperback
Rating: Teen+
Now you can read about the Belcher family (parents Bob and Linda, and their children Tina, Gene and Louise) with brand-new in-canon stories created by the TV show's producers, writers, and animators--and overseen by series creator Loren Bouchard! That's right, all-original stories that expand upon the fan-favorite animated series, including hilarious installments of "Louise's Unsolved Mysteries," "Tina's Erotic Friend Fiction," "A Gene Belcher Original Musical," "Letters Written by Linda," "Bob's Burgers of the Day," and much more!
Once upon a time I was a fan of Brendon Small’s animated series, ‘Home Movies,’ which was a love letter to just how effed up childhood could be while still finding a metric ton of joy with friends and family. H. Jon Benjamin voiced Coach McGirk on that show, and with a voice like his I've been drawn to any show in which he stars. Enter ‘Bob’s Burgers.’
When the show debuted a few years back and that indelible, gruff voice rang out for Bob, I was pretty much a fan from the word go. All the better was the fact the series taps into the same vein of dry humor and absurdism that made ‘Home Movies’ so great, but this series is much more polished and a broader scope with regards to character and plot.
So when I heard there was a comic book series too, my interest was piqued.
The thing is that the comic book series doesn’t have a format resembling anything like the TV series. Rather than a solitary storyline followed along in traditional fashion, each issue is broken up into five sections, one for each member of the Belcher family. With that approach, each issue feels more like a collection of vignettes spotlighting each character. An interesting approach, but the payoff was lacking in parts.
While Tina, the eldest daughter, steals the show in each issue through her wildly imaginative (and mildly erotic at times) fan-fic, Bob actually gets short shrift in each issue with his meager offerings appearing as custom-made burger menus. It's a nice nod to the recurring gag on the show, but it's such a let down when the title character of the series is barely an interlude in each issue.
At the end of the day, the book serves better as a coffee table book than a graphic novel. The artwork holds true to the TV series, what stories are in its pages can enjoyed in no time flat, and ultimately the book feels more like a companion piece for collector's and fans of the show. If you're a die-hard fan of the show, you'll want to check it out, but if you've never seen the show before, then you're better off skipping it.
3 1/2 stars
When the show debuted a few years back and that indelible, gruff voice rang out for Bob, I was pretty much a fan from the word go. All the better was the fact the series taps into the same vein of dry humor and absurdism that made ‘Home Movies’ so great, but this series is much more polished and a broader scope with regards to character and plot.
So when I heard there was a comic book series too, my interest was piqued.
The thing is that the comic book series doesn’t have a format resembling anything like the TV series. Rather than a solitary storyline followed along in traditional fashion, each issue is broken up into five sections, one for each member of the Belcher family. With that approach, each issue feels more like a collection of vignettes spotlighting each character. An interesting approach, but the payoff was lacking in parts.
While Tina, the eldest daughter, steals the show in each issue through her wildly imaginative (and mildly erotic at times) fan-fic, Bob actually gets short shrift in each issue with his meager offerings appearing as custom-made burger menus. It's a nice nod to the recurring gag on the show, but it's such a let down when the title character of the series is barely an interlude in each issue.
At the end of the day, the book serves better as a coffee table book than a graphic novel. The artwork holds true to the TV series, what stories are in its pages can enjoyed in no time flat, and ultimately the book feels more like a companion piece for collector's and fans of the show. If you're a die-hard fan of the show, you'll want to check it out, but if you've never seen the show before, then you're better off skipping it.
3 1/2 stars
Gef Fox
I didn't know there was a comic book. I'm a huge fan of the TV show. Louise is my favorite. Really all three kids are great in their own way. If you're a fan of H. Jon Benjamin, have you tried Archer? It is on FX. It is a very adult cartoon where he works as a spy. I highly recommend. The first five seasons are on Netflix. There is even a little bit of crossover in one season with Bob's Burgers.
ReplyDeleteHey, Mel. I caught the first three seasons of Archer, but I've fallen behind on a lot of TV. Jon and Aisha are great together on that show.
ReplyDelete