Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: horror, dark humor, romance, others
Format: trade paperback
Source: Berea branch of the Madison County (KY) Public Library
I have to say this was excellent. The book is an anthology series, much like The Twilight Zone or Tales from the Crypt, featuring stories of love and romance with a horror element or twist. Peter Snejbjerg in the introduction describes the book as follows:
". . . a collection of short stories that would let him tackle any genre, any style, any subject, almost: Love Hurts, a blend of romance comics with horror and, well, basically anything Kim cared to throw in the pot" (6).
Indeed, Andersson tackles pretty much any genre: romance, westerns, pirates, reality shows, pulp, science fiction, fantasy, etc. His comics are often short, often no more than two or three pages, but he manages to pack a serious punch in each one. Some stories are truly horrifying, and others are more dark humor. And while a few may have a happy ending, as romance stories usually do, that happy ending comes with a dark twist. Often there may not be a happy ending as a horrifying ending or a sudden twist is revealed. In the end, we do see that love hurts.
The book contains 32 issues (each a story) ranging from two to four pages, and it also includes two longer titled stories. As I mentioned, the stories tackle just about any genre. Some of my favorites include:
- Issue 8 about a jealous girlfriend who catches another woman cooking for her man. The other woman turns out to be his mom, but that is not the twist.
- Issue 14 about the seance featuring a woman trying to contact a dead lover. I was not expecting the twist in this one.
- Issue 17 is a wordless story where the art tells the tale of a girl and her teddy bear.
- Issue 21 offers a great solution for people who won't shut up during the movie in a theater. As someone who hates those inconsiderate selfish assholes, this story really resonated with me.
- Issue 29 is the reality show comic. Again, this kind of reality show competition is definitely the kind I would gladly watch.
5 out 5 stars.
This book qualifies for the following 2016 Reading Challenges:
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