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Comics Class
This mini comic is 44 pages of loosely-drawn, quasi-autobiographical comics about the comics class Forsythe taught. Hegelian dialectics, sexual politics and the detestable use of clipart in comics are just some of the issues that Forsythe tackles with his disaffected class of 11 year olds––that is when he isn't challenging them to arm wrestle for money. This hilarious collection of half-truths and half-baked theories lovingly skewers the life of a working cartoonist, and it might just teach you something, maybe.
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
44 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2011
61 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Forsythe
21 books161 followersMatthew Forsythe is an author and illustrator living in Los Angeles.
His first book, Pokko and the Drum, won the Charlotte Zolotow Honor for picture book writing and his second book, MINA, was a Governor General Awards finalist.
He was also a designer on several animated shows including Adventure Time, The Midnight Gospel and the Oscar-nominated film, Robin Robin.
His first book, Pokko and the Drum, won the Charlotte Zolotow Honor for picture book writing and his second book, MINA, was a Governor General Awards finalist.
He was also a designer on several animated shows including Adventure Time, The Midnight Gospel and the Oscar-nominated film, Robin Robin.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 24, 2016
Comics Class is a short memoir of when Matthew Forsythe attempted to teach comics to a class of disinterested 11 year olds – and it’s hilarious!
Forsythe’s ruthless self-deprecating humour is what makes this such a delight. He got his teaching expectations from the movies and it’s so funny to see them instantly and repeatedly shattered when the kids turn out to be completely unimpressed with him and comics in general. Some of the kids tell him deadpan that they read his comics and thought they sucked, while one kid tells him his mom thinks “those who can’t, teach” which really gets to him!
Forsythe also shows his lack of training as an instructor by arm-wrestling the kids, telling the class about his depression and lack of direction, and teaching them about Lone Wolf & Cub, a manga that is definitely not age appropriate!
The black and white art is quite rudimentary though this is balanced out by a strong and effective understanding of sequential storytelling as well as top-notch comedy writing.
How much of this is true and how much is made-up? Probably a healthy mix of both but when the end result is this funny and enjoyable, who cares? Matthew Forsythe’s Comics Class is an absolute riot – definitely worth checking out for anyone looking for some big belly laffs!
On a related note, Koyama Press is now on Comixology which is where I picked this comic up so if you’re interested in reading this, as well as more of their excellent back catalogue (I highly recommend Julia Wertz’s books), check them out here: https://www.comixology.co.uk/Koyama-P...
Forsythe’s ruthless self-deprecating humour is what makes this such a delight. He got his teaching expectations from the movies and it’s so funny to see them instantly and repeatedly shattered when the kids turn out to be completely unimpressed with him and comics in general. Some of the kids tell him deadpan that they read his comics and thought they sucked, while one kid tells him his mom thinks “those who can’t, teach” which really gets to him!
Forsythe also shows his lack of training as an instructor by arm-wrestling the kids, telling the class about his depression and lack of direction, and teaching them about Lone Wolf & Cub, a manga that is definitely not age appropriate!
The black and white art is quite rudimentary though this is balanced out by a strong and effective understanding of sequential storytelling as well as top-notch comedy writing.
How much of this is true and how much is made-up? Probably a healthy mix of both but when the end result is this funny and enjoyable, who cares? Matthew Forsythe’s Comics Class is an absolute riot – definitely worth checking out for anyone looking for some big belly laffs!
On a related note, Koyama Press is now on Comixology which is where I picked this comic up so if you’re interested in reading this, as well as more of their excellent back catalogue (I highly recommend Julia Wertz’s books), check them out here: https://www.comixology.co.uk/Koyama-P...
May 29, 2017
I hadn't been familiar with Matthew Forsythe or Comics Class prior to yesterday, but I found a copy on sale at the local comic store and decided to give it a go. It was defibitely worth the short time it took to read.
The style is straightforward. The humour is on point. I really enjoyed the self deprecating nature of the story and the jokes. It actually manages to show a thing or two about comic techniques along the way.
Anyone looking for a quick and funny comic to read should give this one a shot. I definitely would recommend picking it up while it is on sale. Anyone from London, ON who sees this should know it's on for a buck at Heroes.
The style is straightforward. The humour is on point. I really enjoyed the self deprecating nature of the story and the jokes. It actually manages to show a thing or two about comic techniques along the way.
Anyone looking for a quick and funny comic to read should give this one a shot. I definitely would recommend picking it up while it is on sale. Anyone from London, ON who sees this should know it's on for a buck at Heroes.
January 30, 2019
Really funny in an "oh, my god, that's so bad, pedagogically" kind of way.
July 14, 2014
A comic book about Matthew Forsythe's experience as a seventh grade teacher, Comics Class adresses his difficulties when his romantic perspective of the profession is confronted with the harsh reality of teaching eleven year olds.
The book is a collection of humor strips of relatively simple structure that are based on the author's ineptitude as a teacher and his difficult relationship with his students.
Somewhat self deprecating and caricatural - much like Forsythe's drawing style, with a pinch of asian influences - the book is a light and easy read whose charm and fun derives very much from its main character - a deluded idealist who does not seem to learn the most important lesson - nobody cares.
The book is a collection of humor strips of relatively simple structure that are based on the author's ineptitude as a teacher and his difficult relationship with his students.
Somewhat self deprecating and caricatural - much like Forsythe's drawing style, with a pinch of asian influences - the book is a light and easy read whose charm and fun derives very much from its main character - a deluded idealist who does not seem to learn the most important lesson - nobody cares.
July 20, 2013
This deluxe minicomic from Koyama Press features Matthew Forsythe's send up of an actual comics teaching gig he once had. His students are presented as a gaggle of disinterested 11 year olds, thoroughly unwilling to meet their instructor even halfway - make that thirdway - and things unravel from there. I laughed all the through this wonderfully droll tall tale and really hope the experience wasn't as nearly as bad as depicted! Lovely art and production values too.
March 10, 2014
Freaking hilarious. I'm glad I read this AFTER my teaching gig.
February 22, 2016
lušten mini stripek,
opisuje svojo izkušnjo kako se trudi kot nadomestni učitelj, v razredu nezainteresiranih 11-letnikov učit teorijo stripa
ni težko uganit kako se konča, haha :)
opisuje svojo izkušnjo kako se trudi kot nadomestni učitelj, v razredu nezainteresiranih 11-letnikov učit teorijo stripa
ni težko uganit kako se konča, haha :)
January 11, 2015
Hilarious piece. Rather superficial approach but I enjoyed it end to end
March 18, 2015
A very entertaining read, lovely artwork.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews