Cardboard

(This review is spoilerish, but not too much). Just received this book today and finished it already! I figured I'd get a review out there while it's still fresh in my mind. In short, this is a story about father and son, creation, corruption, redemption, and friendship... and a little romance for fun too. Each is well handled. I was first introduced to Doug TenNapel's work back in the mid 90's when I played The Neverhood on PC. I've also very briefly played Earthworm Jim, but it's not quite as engraved in my brain. I've also played through his recent game, Armikrog. Strangely enough, this is the first graphic novel of his that I've read, even though these have been his most prevalent artform. This book is yet another example to me of what I like about TenNapel. Perhaps I'm biased because, from what I know of him, we share the same worldview when it comes to religion, politics, and philosophy. I've always wondered whether it was possible for a conservative Christian to exist in the entertainment industry without either making their art shallow in how it expresses their convictions, or making their faith shallow and devoid of substance when they finally express it, if at all. This book shows yet again that TenNapel has done neither. His faith is not painted on the surface of his work as lip surface with nothing underneath. But the truth of his worldview is assumed on every page and is the anchor that holds it down and makes the world of his story coherent. As I read through it, I couldn't help but notice similarities to the story of The Neverhood, though they are both certainly unique stories. Themes of creation, the purpose of that creation being corrupted, and then restored, run through both plots in their own way. There is also a wonderfully refreshing refusal on the author's part to play into the PC culture that so often corrupts art like this. Fathers are fathers. Mothers are mothers. Men are men. Women are women. Jokes about each are funny and unapologetic. This shouldn't be surprising given the willingness TenNapel has shown to speak his mind on such issues in the past. What both stories bring to mind are the parallels they hold to the Christian story. But also the wonderful differences given the humanness of the characters as they create. God created and creation fell. The characters in these stories create, and their creations fall and run wild. However, unlike these stories, our fall and corruption took no power out of God's hands. He laid down his life and had the power to take it up again. He knew that cost from the start. In fact, it was the point of the story. The creating characters in these stories are shocked, surprised, and uncertain, where God is none of those. He has as much control over his story as TenNapel has over those he writes, well... infinitely more-so... yet somehow we as human beings are not fictional and flat. Ok, I'd better not start getting on my theology degree soap-box and start rambling about predestination and free-will. I'll save that for a conversation with Doug TenNapel if I ever get to have one. I'll simply sum up and say this book is great and it has a solid worldview bubbling under the surface. Give it a read whether you share that worldview or not and you're bound to have a good time.

When I was a youngster, I loved to read! I spent most of the money I earned on books, you couldn't keep me out of the library until I had so many books, I created my own library at home. My daughter is 7 and despite the thousands of dollars I have probably spent on books, she doesn't seem to take a similar interest as I had at her age. Thankfully, "Cardboard" changed all that. I stumbled on this book; not sure what I was looking for at the time but Oh So Thankful I happened upon this gem. I looked over the preview of the book to ensure that it wouldn't be too advanced for her and I really enjoyed the story line of the struggling single father trying to make ends meet while providing the "extras" for his son. The graphics were really fun. My daughter has never read a comic book so to have this nearly 300 page book as her first was going to be interesting. Once I had ordered the book, I showed my daughter the preview on Amazon to ask her what she thought. Immediately, she took to it, wanting to "Look Inside" again and again. When the book arrived I received even greater confirmation that I had made a good purchase. My daughter was enthusiastic despite this being a book seemingly geared more towards boys. Now my daughter is more of a princess type then a tomboy and she LOVED this book. I guarantee if I it weren't for me forcing her to call it a night and save some of the story for the next night, we probably would have read the entire book (all 270+ pages)in one night! I was worried that it might be too "scary" for her but she was fine with it; worried the words may be too advanced, she did very well in reading it. She insisted this be a book that we took turns reading as opposed to me reading it all to her (although she did like the accents I gave the different characters when I read). Within three days we had read the entire book. Since I bought it about a month ago, she has read it herself twice more. She takes the book with her on trips. She told me that NOW she loves books. Finally she is making good use of all the great books I have purchased for her over the years. I'd like to thank the author and illustrator and Amazon for changing my daughters opinions about books. I am one happy Momma!

The art is great fun and the story is very well written. I blazed through this book and already want to reread it so I can appreciate the art all over again!

Ok, I should have read the reviews before buying it, but I got so excited when I saw, I can buy a physical copy of the book. This was my book back when I was little, I loved this book (still do lol) , I read it so many times, and now that I finally found a physical form, I am so grateful 🫶, yes, it's used, and I didn't know that 😶, which is why I wish I read the reviews first 🙃, but at the same time I don't really care that if it's used, but thought I should write a review since some may care! Which is valid asf🙂‍↕️,but I've been searching for this book forever lol. Anyhow as long as I can still read it (which I can since its still in pretty good condition), I love it!!!!

Cardboard was sitting on my desk when one of my 7th graders grabbed it and asked to read it. I said yes but he would have to write a review. I was surprised that he actually followed through. Cardboard is an animated book for children and adults. It has a good mix of drama, comedy and action. It was not overloaded with information or was a long book. I think it was good because I've never read anything like it before. It was not a typical comic book which usually has a super hero and he defeats the bad guy and gets the girl. This book was not overwhelming with pictures; the pictures mixed and flowed with the dialog. The story was so thought out I am still thinking about the what ifs of the story. I don't think there is one moral. I think there are many within the story. Overall the book was good, easy to read, enjoyable and most of all entertaining. I would recommend the book to others. I will also borrow another one from my teacher's desk.

I read a lot of comics, and I can say without hesitation that it has been years since I read something this well done. The art is engaging, the colors are wonderful and the story itself has enough heart to fill 4 or 5 books of its kind. It is my habit to pre-read things I bring into our house before my children do, but the package arrived while I was at work, and by the time I got home my 2 oldest had devoured this work. In fact, all 4 of my kids got a look at this book before I did, and I am very pleased that it was completely family-friendly with nothing objectionable in it. Instead it's a story about love, and family, and life and death and remorse and obligation and redemption. Wow. Heady stuff indeed. If I knew someone who had doubts about the worth of sequential art as a story-telling medium, I would give them this book. Great, great stuff Mr. TenNapel.

I couldn't put this book down. I really don't want to spoil too much but I just have to say that any comic book fan will love this. Young or old, they will enjoy this. Only is the story extremely creative but it deals with themes of abandonment, losing loved ones and trying to be better person so well. These are themes anyone can understand. The characters are interesting and fleshed out very well. Doug TenNapel delivers another fantastic comic book and I cannot wait to read this again

Read this book when I was younger funny enough it got wet and ruined now I have it digitally and it will never be wet again