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jonathans's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Beginning reading this, I was pretty turned off by the art style and narratives; just a bit too cynical, Gen-X approach. Around 93 though (as this covers his pieces from 91-94 for Optic Nerve), Tomine takes on a more humanist approach to these pieces that was more up my alley. We see his art change as well, a bit more refined and clean.
It is really cool to see his growth and a throughline from his Optic Nerve comics to his graphic novels (Shortcomings, Killing and Dying, etc). It's a quick, worthwhile read even with the initial frustration.
It is really cool to see his growth and a throughline from his Optic Nerve comics to his graphic novels (Shortcomings, Killing and Dying, etc). It's a quick, worthwhile read even with the initial frustration.
the8th's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know why I didn't already have this in my list here. Tomine is a huge favourite of mine, and these stories are great. Noticed over time his artwork started to resemble Clowes a bit, with the cleaner style, but I quite like Tomine way more than I like Clowes, which is saying something since Ghost World is also a fav. Blah blah blah blah, buy it?
belle_fiction's review against another edition
5.0
I'm just going to say that I am officially in love with Adrian Tomine. In my eyes, the man can do no wrong!
Optic Nerve collects Issues 1-7 of Tomine's earliest work (I think he was roughly 17 at the time) and goes to show how advanced he was for his age. The first couple of issues contain very dark and scratchy illustrations but what is very endearing to see is how his artistic technique and talent greatly flourishes by the time we reach issue 5 onwards.
To me, Tomine is a pioneer in marrying everyday scenarios about ordinary people with bold drawings which immediately sucks you into his created world. He uses the graphic novel format to depict short slices of reality which can sometimes be uplifting, humerous and downright grisly.
Tomine makes the reader think about the world at large and how we often have difficulty communicating with our peers, how we struggle to maintain and forge relationships, how chaotic and lonely the world can be at times.
Not all of the stories are particularly memorable (which is often the case with short story collections) but the vast majority affected me in some way (whether emotionally or serving as inspiration).
In particular I liked Solitary Enjoyment (#2), Rodney (#3), Train I Ride (#4), Haircut, Lifter, Two in the morning (#5), Leather Jacket, Allergic, Smoke (#6) and Stammer, Happy Anniversary and Dine and Dash (#7).
As you can see from my favourites above, issues 5-7 resonate with me the same way Sleepwalk and Other Stories did (which I strongly believe is a groundbreaking work in the graphic novel world.)
Tomine's ability to perfectly capture the essence of human life and nature is a singular achievement in itself, but also self-publishing the comics too shows a real dedication and strong self-belief in his own work, and I am ridiculously glad that he chose to share all of his juvenile works with me - it's fascinating to see just how accomplished both in storytelling and illustration he has become.
In addition to the ON issues, the box set contains an introduction written by Tomine with a commentary from his publisher in which he openly shares his correspondence with the aspiring graphic novelist. Tomine's introduction is frank and reveals that whilst many of his peers were out partying, he spent his weekends/evenings pouring everything into what would eventually become Optic Nerve. He talks about the barriers he had to overcome in publishing his own comics and the tradition he works in (which artists he emulated and drew inspiration on) producing a fascinating insight into the young graphic novelist's life.
If you're new to Tomine's work, start with Killing or Dying, or my personal favourite - Sleepwalk and Other Stories, and then read Optic Nerve; that way you'd have a better appreciation and understanding of his work.
Honestly, these books will change your perception of the world and storytelling using the graphic novel format!
All that's left for me to do is read Summer Blonde which (helpfully) is on my shelf :) - another masterpiece (no doubt) which begs to be read!
Optic Nerve collects Issues 1-7 of Tomine's earliest work (I think he was roughly 17 at the time) and goes to show how advanced he was for his age. The first couple of issues contain very dark and scratchy illustrations but what is very endearing to see is how his artistic technique and talent greatly flourishes by the time we reach issue 5 onwards.
To me, Tomine is a pioneer in marrying everyday scenarios about ordinary people with bold drawings which immediately sucks you into his created world. He uses the graphic novel format to depict short slices of reality which can sometimes be uplifting, humerous and downright grisly.
Tomine makes the reader think about the world at large and how we often have difficulty communicating with our peers, how we struggle to maintain and forge relationships, how chaotic and lonely the world can be at times.
Not all of the stories are particularly memorable (which is often the case with short story collections) but the vast majority affected me in some way (whether emotionally or serving as inspiration).
In particular I liked Solitary Enjoyment (#2), Rodney (#3), Train I Ride (#4), Haircut, Lifter, Two in the morning (#5), Leather Jacket, Allergic, Smoke (#6) and Stammer, Happy Anniversary and Dine and Dash (#7).
As you can see from my favourites above, issues 5-7 resonate with me the same way Sleepwalk and Other Stories did (which I strongly believe is a groundbreaking work in the graphic novel world.)
Tomine's ability to perfectly capture the essence of human life and nature is a singular achievement in itself, but also self-publishing the comics too shows a real dedication and strong self-belief in his own work, and I am ridiculously glad that he chose to share all of his juvenile works with me - it's fascinating to see just how accomplished both in storytelling and illustration he has become.
In addition to the ON issues, the box set contains an introduction written by Tomine with a commentary from his publisher in which he openly shares his correspondence with the aspiring graphic novelist. Tomine's introduction is frank and reveals that whilst many of his peers were out partying, he spent his weekends/evenings pouring everything into what would eventually become Optic Nerve. He talks about the barriers he had to overcome in publishing his own comics and the tradition he works in (which artists he emulated and drew inspiration on) producing a fascinating insight into the young graphic novelist's life.
If you're new to Tomine's work, start with Killing or Dying, or my personal favourite - Sleepwalk and Other Stories, and then read Optic Nerve; that way you'd have a better appreciation and understanding of his work.
Honestly, these books will change your perception of the world and storytelling using the graphic novel format!
All that's left for me to do is read Summer Blonde which (helpfully) is on my shelf :) - another masterpiece (no doubt) which begs to be read!
jeshincase's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
saidtheraina's review against another edition
3.0
I love Tomine's drawing, and I identify with his characters/stories. He doesn't follow traditional expectations for plot/story, so I sometimes come away depressed and/or unsatisfied, but I think that's part of the point.
magnetgrrl's review against another edition
4.0
The best thing about Adrian Tomine's earlier work is that it's so inspiring. You get to see him working from crude drawings done with sharpies and ball-point pens and then slowly refining his technique, learning to use brush and ink, learning to compose a panel, learning how to frame a scene. It's hard to believe this is the same guy who does the more current manifestation of Optic Nerve with its uber-sleek illustrative style. It gives me hope.
Some of the stories in this are merely ok, but there are one or two - like "Smoke" and the one where Tomine dreams of all barbers going on strike in the middle of his haircut - that I absolutely love. This is definitely worth reading for indie comics fans, and a must for anyone who aspires to create comics of their own.
Some of the stories in this are merely ok, but there are one or two - like "Smoke" and the one where Tomine dreams of all barbers going on strike in the middle of his haircut - that I absolutely love. This is definitely worth reading for indie comics fans, and a must for anyone who aspires to create comics of their own.
dillonrockrohr's review against another edition
2.0
It’s a cool set of print objects, but there’s nothing particularly worth reading there.
lucrezi's review against another edition
3.0
"What is the point?" I asked myself as I read the first two issues. But then, maybe this is me being used to conventional media where you can expect there to be some neat pay-off to a carefully crafted story. The comics were made in the 90s by a then-high-school student, before the age of information, before anyone could easily learn that a story is composed of exposition followed by the rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution (unless they paid attention in class). And, these were strips originally meant for Tomine's eyes.
The third issue starts showing a resemblance to conventional story structure, being most evident in "Adrian Quits His Job," where I also started to appreciate Tomine's skills at drawing intense expressions and movement. My favorite story in this issue though had to be "Rodney" for its slice-of-life element and life goes on mentality.
The fourth issue shows dramatic improvement with even more polished storytelling, and the content improves from there. I feel like "Haircut" is the best in the whole collection, since it comes entirely from a dream that goes from mundane to possibly despairing.
I enjoyed the collection, although I'm not sure I would read it again except for a select few strips.
The third issue starts showing a resemblance to conventional story structure, being most evident in "Adrian Quits His Job," where I also started to appreciate Tomine's skills at drawing intense expressions and movement. My favorite story in this issue though had to be "Rodney" for its slice-of-life element and life goes on mentality.
The fourth issue shows dramatic improvement with even more polished storytelling, and the content improves from there. I feel like "Haircut" is the best in the whole collection, since it comes entirely from a dream that goes from mundane to possibly despairing.
I enjoyed the collection, although I'm not sure I would read it again except for a select few strips.
jekutree's review against another edition
4.0
Adrian Tomine is in the running for my favorite comics creator of all time. At this point, I’ve nearly read everything he’s done and I’ve more or less loved all of it. This is no exception.
This collection produces all of his Optic Nerve stories prior to getting picked up by Drawn and Quarterly which is where the stories in “Sleepwalk” and “Summer Blonde” come from. These chart books chart Tomine’s progression as a cartoonist and serve as a really great collection for people familiar with Tomine’s work.
Yes, the early stories are pretty amateurish, they still have this hunger and need for validation that makes them interesting enough to wade through to get to the real gems in this collection. There’s a lot of them by the way.
8/10
This collection produces all of his Optic Nerve stories prior to getting picked up by Drawn and Quarterly which is where the stories in “Sleepwalk” and “Summer Blonde” come from. These chart books chart Tomine’s progression as a cartoonist and serve as a really great collection for people familiar with Tomine’s work.
Yes, the early stories are pretty amateurish, they still have this hunger and need for validation that makes them interesting enough to wade through to get to the real gems in this collection. There’s a lot of them by the way.
8/10
ricardom_v's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0