Too Cool To Be Forgotten

by Alex Robinson

Overview

ONE OF AMAZON.COM'S TOP 10 GRAPHIC NOVELS OF THE YEAR!

WINNER OF THE HARVEY AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL!

Selected for the Texas Library Association's Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List!

"My favorite comic of the year." --Jeff Smith, creator of Bone

"This is Alex Robinson's best book, and one of the rare comics not written by Stan Lee to perfectly capture the tragedy and triumph of being a teenager. Totally recommended." --Brian K. Vaughan, author of Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, and Pride of Baghdad

"With this slim volume, Robinson cements his reputation as a master cartoonist." --Publishers Weekly

"Touching and funny ... By the story's end, wish fulfillment has become something much more challenging and, frankly, beautiful. There's a lot going on in this little book." --Cory Doctorow, Boing Boing

Andy Wicks is a forty-something father of two who's tried everything to quit smoking -- from going cold turkey, to the latest patches and nicotine chewing gums -- so he figures he'll give this hypnosis thing a try. What's the worst that could happen? Unfortunately, Andy gets dealt a fate worse than death -- high school! Transported back to 1985, Andy returns to his formative years as a gangly, awkward teenager. Is he doomed to relive the mistakes of his past, or has he been given a second chance to get things right? One thing's for sure: this time he's going to ask out that girl from math class... Presented as a gorgeously formatted hardcover graphic novel.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781603092234
Publisher:	Idea & Design Works, LLC
Publication date:	05/15/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	38 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

Editorial Reviews

Robinson (Box Office Poison, Tricked) returns with his latest, a high-concept graphic novella. In 2010, mild-mannered software engineer Andrew Wicks goes to a hypnotist to quit smoking, but wakes up from his trance to find himself in high school in 1985. While the "Peggy Sue Quits Smoking" premise could have been disastrous, with this slim volume, Robinson cements his reputation as a master cartoonist. The art is exceptional. His characters are all visually distinct, with subtle facial expressions and body language. He uses layout and even lettering to establish mood and keep the reader firmly fixed through complicated shifts in time, place and perception. Two sequences-the initial hypnosis scene and a later confrontation between two characters-are bravura performances, using innovative but still clear ways of depicting complicated inner monologues. Unfortunately, while Robinson has mastered the "graphic," his skill with the "novel" lags behind, with some wordy dialogue and occasional narrative clunkers: one piece of foreshadowing is so clumsy it reads better as a typographical error. When Robinson the writer catches up with Robinson the artist, watch out. Even with its flaws, this is still a master class in graphic storytelling. (July)

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Publishers Weekly

Middle-aged Andy Wicks desperately wants to quit smoking. His latest effort leads him to a hypnotherapist who promises optimal results. Once under, Andy finds himself in the last place he'd ever expect himself—back in high school! Convinced that he must go back to the moment he smoked his first cigarette and change his behavior to set his life right, he ventures out as his teenage self armed with his middle-age knowledge and the benefit of hindsight. When Andy approaches that moment, and makes the right decision, he finds that he's still stuck as an adolescent. Is Andy destined to have to relive his entire life? Will he ever be able to escape high school again? Nostalgic and tender, this slender graphic novel is sure to invoke a visceral response. Andy's insights are relatable and his angst palpable. Teen readers will find kinship with his high school drama, though it may take a more sophisticated reader to appreciate the feeling of sentimentality throughout. Fans of Robinson's earlier works (Box Office Poison; Tricked) will not be disappointed by this offering. A touching indie graphic novel perfect to pitch to an older crowd of teen hipsters; recommend this to fans of the Alex Award-winning Essex County: Tales from the Farm. Reviewer: Jennifer Sweeney

KLIATT - Jennifer Sweeney

Gr 10 Up

Robinson is back with a concise gem that packs just as much punch as his lengthier titles. The premise here is nothing groundbreaking: Andy Wicks, a middle-aged family man, goes to a hypnosis clinic to break a 25-year smoking habit. As he mocks the ordeal as "mumbo jumbo," he is suddenly transformed into his 15-year-old self. With a 40-something mind still intact, he is forced to relive the horrors of algebra class, visits to the principal, elaborate social hierarchies, and, of course, intense sexual frustration. What makes Too Cool remarkable is the author's ability to revisit high school drama and reality bending in a lighthearted way yet with a depth and thoughtfulness that consistently underscore the plot. Robinson never trivializes adolescent angst. Instead, Andy's journey allows him to explore and understand the complex psychology behind his coming-of-age choices and behavior. That he has lived to see the results adds a compelling twist. Readers will gain perspective on mortality, family relationships, compassion, and love among bikini posters, gum-infested lockers, and family TV nights. As usual, Robinson's portraits perfectly underscore the intricacies of emotion in the story line, from the awkwardness of goofy permed-out and barely mustachioed teens to the anxiety of aging fathers with worry lines. Further, the artist's use of white pace, page composition, and flexible panels create a compelling sense of movement and a satisfying sense of flow. Teens are sure to have a lot of fun with the book.-Shannon Peterson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA

School Library Journal