Reviewing Great Graphic Novels Since 1978

Dialog/Communication
Unlike many novels where the dialog is written perfectly and often without mistake, Jimmy Corrigan is written in (what I like to call) a very conversationalist tone. The characters make mistakes. They use interjections such as “um” or “uh.” It’s not flowing, no, but it feels natural. It makes you feel that you’re actually there listening to the characters speak. This is one of those novels where you’ll think about the best voice actor for the characters or imagine voices of your own for them. As for the content of the dialog, it suits the characters’ personalities perfectly. Other than that, there’s not much else to say. What’s here is grand and should be heralded as nothing short of greatness. A+
Artwork
Not only did he write, but Ware also drew Jimmy Corrigan. Personally, I love the artwork. I will agree that it looks a bit computer-generated, but after some research, I learned that Ware actually draws all of his art himself with the use of precision tools, save very few exceptions. The backgrounds change with the feel of the novel, from vibrant and colorful to dull and lifeless: the color always accentuates the feelings being conveyed through the characters and their actions. The characters are well-colored as well, looking very nice against their backgrounds. Jimmy Corrigan is a very well-drawn novel no matter how you slice it. It’s very pleasing to the eye and dynamic to say the least. A+
Overall
If you’ve gotten this far in the review without dropping everything you’re doing and checking this novel out, seriously, buy it now. The paperback edition on Amazon (as of 2/4/11) is currently $13.57 USD and is worth every penny. One moment, you’ll be laughing your head off at the novel’s brand of black humor. The next, you’ll gasp at its shocking sense of realism. The novel is just that good at invoking emotion in its readers. Simply put, Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth is an absolute masterpiece that you will read over and over again and anyone with a pair of working eyes should read it. For these reasons, I consider it the greatest graphic novel of all time. A+