Monograph by Chris Ware

Interested in reading extensive, brilliantly written and heretofore unpublished prose and thoughtful annotation from an artist you seem to admire, or don't care to see his visual works that you're familiar with in a variety of forms and stages of development, printed in the largest format that the artist has ever worked in, and on the the most luxurious paper imaginable?. There are also dozens of photographs from his life over the past thirty years; hundreds of private works, both graphic and sculptural, that have now been shared in public for the first time ever; half a dozen little pamphlets, fully flippable, worked seamlessly and satisfyingly into the pages that they're hiding on, and, believe it or not, more. Oh, and the lot of the content is meticulously organized, lovingly arranged and gorgeously presented throughout. The only reason I can think of for a Ware enthusiast to not do everything in their power to bring this absolutely enormous and deliciously thorough compendium into their home just as soon as life aligns to make such an addition possible is if they somehow have found themselves, through circumstances beyond their control, to have lost any and all interest in experiencing full-body elation, childlike wonderment and nearly complete aesthetic satisfaction. Absolutely certain that the voluminous volume would make a fine gift for the uninitiated, too. Tears will flow and minds will soften.

As a graphic designer I would be remiss not to firstly state the attention to print production and layout that adds an additional layer of experience and discovery to the book. The considerations put into the production of this book lend emphasis to the thoughtful considerations Chris Ware puts into all of his projects. This collection is one of the most impressive bodies of work in cartooning. From an archival standpoint, the book has a wealth of process and personal artifacts that tell the greater story and labor from the extensive career of Mr. Ware. For designers, illustrators, and cartoonist alike this is required viewing, but it would make a statement in any home library or coffee table.

Chris Ware is all over the place! Quite literally. And I write that as a long-time fan of his work who not only loves creations like Building Stories (Pantheon Graphic Novels) , but has also bought more than one copy of that big-box creation to give as gifts to friends. I'm a 40-year-veteran journalist with a particular interest in American comics, especially vintage newspaper comics as well as what are now dubbed "golden age," "bronze age" and "silver age" comics. If you have related interests, then you know "we" like to follow our favorite comic creators through the decades. And, Chris Ware is now in his third decade, if you count the debut of his prolific Acme Novelty Library in the mid 1990s. I'm pleased to have several volumes of that series on my library shelves, as well, plus some other Ware-related creations, including some of his now-classic New Yorker covers. At first glance, his creations are puzzling. I've shown friends something by Chris Ware for the first time and they thoughtfully look through the colorful imagery and usually ask me, "Uhhh, what is this stuff?" I explain that I love Ware's work because, although I'm a good decade older than Ware, he's channeling ideas and imagery that swim in my own vivid memories of childhood. For example, if you grew up as a comic-book lover in the '60s and '70s, can't you close your eyes and see an image of those enticing advertisements for all sorts of way-cool toys and other equipment that you could get, if only you ... Well, they were "come ons." I remember my dear friend going through all the steps to obtain an "army tank," which turned out to be a flattened cardboard box with some army decals printed on the sides. Chris Ware's visual imagination meshes with my own, when I flip through any of the pages (and other designs) he has created. I'm visiting with a kindred spirit here. So, considering the vast array of Chris Ware "stuff" you could order online—much like the overwhelming lists of cool stuff you could get via advertisements in classic comic books—why should you invest in this monster-sized book? Because if my review evokes similar memories in your own experience, then you're going to love spending time flipping these enormous pages and drinking in the imagery. It's all here, as if Ware were giving you a tour of his studio and opening one drawer after another. Comic book stuff. Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth. Quimby Mouse. New Yorker covers. Acme stuff. Even some of the cut-out-and-stick-together stuff, including a paper robot (although I hasten to add that you're not likely to want to take scissors to the pages of this gorgeous book). Got a classic-comic lover in your gift-giving list? This one's a huge gift not to be forgotten! (How could you forget a book this enormous!)

Awesome used book at an excellent price!

This MASSIVE book (bigger than Building Stories by two inches in both width and height, and nearly as thick with 256 heavy-weight pages) is more than an exhaustive retrospective with artist's commentary -- it is also a very candid autobiography, with many photos of Chris Ware, his family, the places that have influenced him and his friends and fellow artists. There are several mini books attached to some pages. It's mind boggling how much work was put into this project. I can't recommend this enough.

My God. Its like the bible of wonder. You are given a key to a vast, unkown house and allowed to wander around at will. Chris Ware creates a world that is filled with surprise and strangeness and the ordinary. Monograph=big. Its big. I wish it was bigger. I didnt want it to end. Chris, for all your hesitance and reticence, I hope you know how fantastic a creation you have brought us. Already I look forward to Monograph II. Thank you Mr. Ware.

This book is unbelievable. It's too big to read in bed, so every night I sit at the table and read a bit more. It's like a ceremony. I love getting to know how Chris Ware feels about his work, because I love his work so much. It's really touching. Even the cover... I was in tears while reading it.

Firstly, let me be clear that this is a joy to own, simply because there is so much content from one of my favorite artists. I love Chris Ware's work so much that I am giving this 4 stars rather than the 3 it probably deserves. Personally, I felt that a lot of content could have been cut to make everything feel more interesting and substantial. The amount of writing and drawing in here is admirable, and part of me says the more content the better. I also realize the very concept of this edition implies some ego/pretentiousness/indulgence is at play, and I still chose to buy it. But honestly, I think this would be more enjoyable to read with a lot of editing. As it is, it feels like more of a book to peruse every once in a while, rather than fully consume. Finally, the size. This thing is huge, and I really don't think it needs to be. I was expecting it to be large, but not this large. Building Stories can still fit on my shelf, but this being a traditional book, there's no good way to display it. I can't imagine many people have a shelf that could house this thing. It just feels a little bit too indulgent to me, which again, I know that's kind of the whole point of the book, but still. It is bulky and heavy, there's not a lot of comfortable ways to even read it. Still, I'm glad I got it and I will enjoy having it around to look at when I get the urge.

Este señor es un genio absoluto, su trabajo una brillante obra de arte e inteligencia y el mundo que lo rodea está sembrado de maravillas. El libro es un tochaco; en mi colección sólo lo superan en tamaño Little Nemo in Slumberland y el Kramers Ergot 7, este Chris y sus cositas...

Superbe ! Pour les fans de Chris Ware, c'est un livre in-con-tour-nable, complément indispensable de la monographie éditée en 2010 et intitulée "Chris Ware, la bande dessinée réinventée". Beaucoup de documents, de croquis, d'images insolites sélectionnées par l'auteur et Françoise Mouly, qui nous font entrer dans l'intimité et l'univers très particulier d'un des meilleurs auteurs de bandes dessinées notre époque.

Amazing packing was amazing. Masterpiece by Chris ware. Every Chris ware fan must own this. Since chrs has a degree in printmaking,you won't be surprised to find that the book has beautiful textured spine and perfect formatting.It's almost A2 in size and beautiful content. Must be experienced in person. No digital screens like tablets, phones can do justice to the feeling you get when you consume this masterpiece as physical media. Very low price for the size and content it holds.

Bought this as 'used, good condition', but was still sealed, and perfect condition, so i am a very pleased customer. This is a huge book. Part biography, part sketchbook, part museum, with many interactive elements (mini book reproductions, etc) inside. Recommended for Chris Ware fans.

Diferente do que você espera como um quadrinho, perspectivas geniais, ainda mais se inseri-las em seu tempo e observar tudo o que estava sendo feito. Para amante da arte e conhecedor de quadrinhos, é uma pedida indispensável. Quanto a história, bem, gosto não se discuti.