What do you think?
Rate this book
Everybody Is Stupid Except For Me by Peter Bagge
Fans of Peter Bagge's generation-defining, satirical fiction may notrealize this, but the cartoonist doubles as an opinionated cuss, andhas been contributing provocative (but still hilarious) comic-stripopinion pieces to Reason magazine for the last several years...finally collected in this volume.Although a libertarian by inclination (hence the Reasongig), Bagge (who lives in the fuzzy-headed, liberal capital of theNorthwest, Seattle) is hardly dogmatic, and many of the piecesundermine traditional party lines in favor of a rather personal, rational and informed take on hot-button issues that will forcepartisan Democrats and Republicans alike to rethink them. And ofcourse, Bagge's well-researched comic strip "essays" crackle with thesame energy and wit that propelled him into the collective Gen Xconsciousness with his comic book series Hate.Favorite topics include the erosion of our civil liberties (whetherthe post-9/11 Bush administration's gradual erosion of the Bill ofRights, the insanity of the war on drugs, or nanny-state meddling), ongoing boondoggles of the American public (for professional sportsstadiums or ineffective public transportation systems), the Iraq war(Bagge is vociferously against it), so-called art and so-calledentertainment, the homeless, the mall-ification of America, politiciansboth in general and in particular (including the 2008 presidential raceand a revelatory one-on-one with Republican not-so-hopeful Ron Paulthat soured Bagge on the candidate forever), the conservative/religiouswar on sex and drugs, and whether citizens should be allowed to ownbazookas. Each piece features the voluble Bagge himself front andcenter as the puzzled, indignant, or deeply conflictedeveryman-on-the-street trying to make sense of this 21st Century.And of course, every panel is delineated in Bagge's glorious, laugh-out-loud stretchy 4-color cartoon style, making even hisdisquisitions on some very serious topics go down as smoothly as BuddyBradley's latest escapade. Nominated for a 2010 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award (Best Humor Publication).
Hardcover
First published August 18, 2009
6 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
About the author
Peter Bagge
330 books166 followersPeter Bagge was born on December 11th, 1957, and raised in Peekskill, New York, about 40 miles north of New York City. While enrolled in the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 1977, Bagge discovered underground comics, and the work of R. Crumb in particular turned what had initially been only a vague interest in cartooning into a passion.
In the early '80s Bagge co-published three issues of COMICAL FUNNIES (1980-81), a New York-based comic tabloid which saw the debut of Bagge's dysfunctional suburban family, The Bradleys. Bagge broke into R. Crumb's legendary magazine, WEIRDO, and Bagge took over as managing editor of that magazine from 1983 to 1986.
Bagge started his own comic book series, NEAT STUFF, for Fantagraphics Books, producing 15 issues from 1985 to '89. Buddy Bradley, the Bradleys' alienated and pessimistic teenage son, emerged as Neat Stuff's most engaging and fully-realized character. In 1990, NEAT STUFF evolved into a new title, HATE, which exclusively followed the foibles of the semi-autobiographical Buddy Bradley. Hate became the voice of the twenty-nothing slackers as well as being hailed by critics for its brilliant characterization in its complete chronicle of the 1990s. HATE and Buddy Bradley continue to appear in print, albeit less frequently, under the title HATE ANNUAL.
Since 1999, Bagge has worked on many other comic-related projects, including writing an all ages comic book for DC called YEAH! (drawn by Gilbert Hernandez). as well as the short lived humor series SWEATSHOP, also for DC. He also wrote and drew a one-shot satire of Spider-Man for Marvel, and has done the same with Marvel's The Hulk, though the later title has yet to be scheduled for release. Other projects include a 2 year stint writing and drawing a weekly comic strip about "Bat Boy" for THE WEEKLY WORLD NEWS, and a series of illustrated essays for the now defunct website Suck.com, which led to his becoming a current regular features contributor to the political and social commentary magazine REASON.
Most recently, Bagge has been working on a 6 part mini-series for Dark Horse called APOCALYPSE NERD, which should be complete in 2007.
Bagge's exaggerated and distinctively in-your-face illustration style has also appeared on many record and CD covers, and in magazines as far ranging as HUSTLER, MAD and the OXFORD AMERICAN. He's also had a hand in several animation projects, most notably the online "Rock & Roll Dad" cartoon series he co-created with Dana Gould for Icebox.com.
Peter Bagge has lived in Seattle since 1984. He resides with his wife Joanne, and daughter Hannah, and three darned cats.
In the early '80s Bagge co-published three issues of COMICAL FUNNIES (1980-81), a New York-based comic tabloid which saw the debut of Bagge's dysfunctional suburban family, The Bradleys. Bagge broke into R. Crumb's legendary magazine, WEIRDO, and Bagge took over as managing editor of that magazine from 1983 to 1986.
Bagge started his own comic book series, NEAT STUFF, for Fantagraphics Books, producing 15 issues from 1985 to '89. Buddy Bradley, the Bradleys' alienated and pessimistic teenage son, emerged as Neat Stuff's most engaging and fully-realized character. In 1990, NEAT STUFF evolved into a new title, HATE, which exclusively followed the foibles of the semi-autobiographical Buddy Bradley. Hate became the voice of the twenty-nothing slackers as well as being hailed by critics for its brilliant characterization in its complete chronicle of the 1990s. HATE and Buddy Bradley continue to appear in print, albeit less frequently, under the title HATE ANNUAL.
Since 1999, Bagge has worked on many other comic-related projects, including writing an all ages comic book for DC called YEAH! (drawn by Gilbert Hernandez). as well as the short lived humor series SWEATSHOP, also for DC. He also wrote and drew a one-shot satire of Spider-Man for Marvel, and has done the same with Marvel's The Hulk, though the later title has yet to be scheduled for release. Other projects include a 2 year stint writing and drawing a weekly comic strip about "Bat Boy" for THE WEEKLY WORLD NEWS, and a series of illustrated essays for the now defunct website Suck.com, which led to his becoming a current regular features contributor to the political and social commentary magazine REASON.
Most recently, Bagge has been working on a 6 part mini-series for Dark Horse called APOCALYPSE NERD, which should be complete in 2007.
Bagge's exaggerated and distinctively in-your-face illustration style has also appeared on many record and CD covers, and in magazines as far ranging as HUSTLER, MAD and the OXFORD AMERICAN. He's also had a hand in several animation projects, most notably the online "Rock & Roll Dad" cartoon series he co-created with Dana Gould for Icebox.com.
Peter Bagge has lived in Seattle since 1984. He resides with his wife Joanne, and daughter Hannah, and three darned cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 28, 2009
I found this book while surfing Fantagraphics’ most recent catalogue.
The title of this book pretty much sums up the content. Peter Bagge pretty much thinks everybody sucks except for himself. He is appropriately self-deprecating at times, but then it seems like he lets himself off the hook by citing laziness as his sin.
He admits to being a Libertarian, yet he never really explains anything about what he actually believes in. He quickly pokes fun at every other political ideology without providing better alternatives. Most of his “political comics” consist of cheap caricatures of ideological extremists that he seems to think represent entire subsections of the American population. In his comic about attending an Iraq War protest, he picks on the easiest targets, and never seems to talk to a real human being. In the piece about sex conventions, he laughs at “alternative lifestyles” and while he stops at denouncing them, he hardly tries to see any good in them, or even explore them beyond their perceived absurdities.
This book isn’t a lost cause, however. There are some really good pieces, like his personal tale of riding Amtrak, pointing out its inefficiencies and explaining why the government doesn’t cut the program. The comic about Christian rock exposes the hypocrisies of religion and how religious “values” shift with modern culture.
The illustrations are good and get his point across, sometimes saying more than his words.
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, but I also wouldn’t NOT recommend it. If you really want comics with a political bent, try Tom Tomorrow instead.
August 11, 2009
Should be renamed "I'm Not Funny When I Talk About Politics." Gets three stars because of my love of Hate.
October 4, 2017
3.5/5
This collects the comics Bagge did for Reason magazine, a libertarian publication. I don't agree with all of Bagge's politics but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. Bagge is great at depictiing his point of view and manages to be interesting when he's not being funny in these comicbook reports. It's good stuff.
This collects the comics Bagge did for Reason magazine, a libertarian publication. I don't agree with all of Bagge's politics but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book. Bagge is great at depictiing his point of view and manages to be interesting when he's not being funny in these comicbook reports. It's good stuff.
September 13, 2009
I'm stupid. Pete Bagge was right. Or am I smart because I loved this? My only problem with this wasn't with the book, but with myself. Because of my minimal political knowledge, a bunch of the jokes and references got lost on me--but that's my fault.
What you get here is a collection of stories and observations (in comic form) from different assignments that he's been on for REASON magazine. Bagge's got his opinions on stuff of course, and talks shit about them, but he talks just as much shit about himself, so things balance out. WIth all his social and political commentary --he's got at not coming off like a dick is what I'm saying. Sometimes really funny, and sometimes just sort of interesting, but not boring or anything. I'll read it again for sure.
What you get here is a collection of stories and observations (in comic form) from different assignments that he's been on for REASON magazine. Bagge's got his opinions on stuff of course, and talks shit about them, but he talks just as much shit about himself, so things balance out. WIth all his social and political commentary --he's got at not coming off like a dick is what I'm saying. Sometimes really funny, and sometimes just sort of interesting, but not boring or anything. I'll read it again for sure.
June 1, 2009
Like many on the Left, I respect and enjoy Peter Bagge's art and humor, but not always his politics. His denouncements of many public services and his stance against gun control fly in the face of my beliefs. On the other hand, his Libertarian views on sex and drugs are refreshing in our puritanical, hypocritical society. With great candor and wit, Bagge tackles all these issues and more in Everybody Is Stupid Except for Me, a collection of his strips from Reason Magazine. As in his previous works like Hate and The Bradleys, Bagge deftly manages to simultaneously anger and amuse the reader with his intensely personal stories about larger topical issues.
August 2, 2023
Ah the hilarity of our own hypocrisies. Signed, sealed, Bagged and delivered in six-paneled sheets. While I occasionally listen to reason, I've never read Reason, so I'm grateful for this 2009 collection. Perhaps not quite as dated as one might expect. That Freak Brother art style fits like a taut bumper sticker-style t-shirt.
Here's a quick sample
"While no one at this school has complained about any of the above, we're taking these steps to ensure that on one ever will..." And don't gloss over him shaking a stick at sacred Shakespeare as well!
Pretty texty for comics, pretty much concomitant with such work. Call it concomitant combatant comics? Trust me, I know hard it is to be succinct and/or sane.
I sure liked him trying to find one, just and worthy politician. In general, I appreciate any sort of "one the one hand" vs "on the other hand" thinking and some of that resides in here amidst the easy but deserved outrage.
Here's a quick sample
"While no one at this school has complained about any of the above, we're taking these steps to ensure that on one ever will..." And don't gloss over him shaking a stick at sacred Shakespeare as well!
Pretty texty for comics, pretty much concomitant with such work. Call it concomitant combatant comics? Trust me, I know hard it is to be succinct and/or sane.
I sure liked him trying to find one, just and worthy politician. In general, I appreciate any sort of "one the one hand" vs "on the other hand" thinking and some of that resides in here amidst the easy but deserved outrage.
November 9, 2022
I bought this book because it was an out of print collection of Peter Bagge's comics from the Libertarian magazine, "Reason." I loved Bagge's "Buddy Bradley" comics, so I figured I'd love anything he does. While I did enjoy this collection, and though there were a number of comics I really loved, I am not a total Libertarian, so some of his political views bothered--if not baffled--me. For example, I loved his cynical attitude towards politicians and his comic about Christian Rock. His stuff about science--like that there's no evidence that second hand smoke is bad for you--is really frustrating. Overall, I still love Bagge and will read more of his stuff. Even his political stuff.
November 1, 2017
Me lo habían vendido como polémico e incendiario, defensa de causas impopulares, pero es más bien todo lo contrario, la visión de alguien que piensa por sí mismo sobre diferentes situaciones que, en general por motivos partidistas, suelen resultar ineficaces y costosas para el erario público.
May 20, 2018
Stick to his narrative comics.
February 12, 2014
I have long wanted a single collection for Bagge's cartoons from REASON. They are funny, infuriating, silly, insightful, and indispensable reading for any libertarian (and most others, but they will ignore it anyway.)
Bagge takes no prisoners as he turns his jaundiced eye and pencil on a range of topics. Occasionally it grates on me, as when he vents the weird libertarian hostility to mass transit.... these libertarian car-owners need to Check Their Privilege, as my "progressive" friends keep saying. (And his anti-Amtrak rant predates the rise of the "Chinese" bus lines and Metrobus adopting the airline price model.) But nearly all of his work is illuminating in areas we have not thought about (or would rather not think about.)
Bagge takes no prisoners as he turns his jaundiced eye and pencil on a range of topics. Occasionally it grates on me, as when he vents the weird libertarian hostility to mass transit.... these libertarian car-owners need to Check Their Privilege, as my "progressive" friends keep saying. (And his anti-Amtrak rant predates the rise of the "Chinese" bus lines and Metrobus adopting the airline price model.) But nearly all of his work is illuminating in areas we have not thought about (or would rather not think about.)
December 3, 2009
There's something very comforting about reading about the chaos in Bagge's fictional characters' lives. I wonder if his real-life stories will be the same.
Update: Eh, it's kind of annoying reading about his Libertarian perspective. He doesn't make all that great of arguments either. I kept finding myself saying, "Well, what about this?" although I did other times think, "Eh, he's got a point." He's more than willing to put himself in his stories, like his change of opinion towards malls as he grew older. I really enjoyed his ambivalence on some issues, like going to the anti-war protest and getting annoyed at the individual protesters.
Update: Eh, it's kind of annoying reading about his Libertarian perspective. He doesn't make all that great of arguments either. I kept finding myself saying, "Well, what about this?" although I did other times think, "Eh, he's got a point." He's more than willing to put himself in his stories, like his change of opinion towards malls as he grew older. I really enjoyed his ambivalence on some issues, like going to the anti-war protest and getting annoyed at the individual protesters.
March 24, 2010
I Hate this book. No I don't I don't know why I said that. I've made a lot of money over the years selling Peter Bagge's stuff. There's a good reason for that. He's brilliant, and one of this generation's best. No kidding. The only complaint i have is he's just not proficient enough any more. A whole generation is now growing up reading manga and crap like that, and are really missing out. Look here, every page is smart AND funny, and I endorse this product. Think Robert Crumb on acid. This is better than drugs or at least a really good substitute. But don't quote me on that.
July 10, 2012
Peter Bagge morde, algo a que os que o conhecem a sua obra já sabem. Neste livro o alvo do seu humor mordaz é apenas os sistemas políticos, ideologias e ditos formadores de opinião pública, dissecados com uma fina navalha de occam pelo olhar de um libertário perito em apontar a falta de bom senso na forma como a política lida com a sociedade. Se os detalhes desta banda desenhada que colige crónicas visuais para a revista Reason passam ao lado de leitores não norte-americanos, a crítica mordaz e incisiva aos lugares comuns e extremismos populistas é uma mensagem universal.
October 17, 2013
While I like what Bagge sets out to do in way of graphic technique I HATE American Libertarianism! What a indulgent mposition of editorialising Peter Bagge imposes on his readers.
Two parts arrogance and one part scoff...excuse me while I pass on the politics (and I'm a left radical!)
Over written in way of text-- most pages are primarily text -- editorialising text. Very little characterisation graphically - limited caricature palette.
I suspect this guy is grossly over rated as a comic maker.
Nonetheless the panel snippets are often funny.
But why bother?
Two parts arrogance and one part scoff...excuse me while I pass on the politics (and I'm a left radical!)
Over written in way of text-- most pages are primarily text -- editorialising text. Very little characterisation graphically - limited caricature palette.
I suspect this guy is grossly over rated as a comic maker.
Nonetheless the panel snippets are often funny.
But why bother?
August 30, 2009
Bagge is a cartoonist I love from his work on Hate, and I liked this book a lot. I don't agree with all his premises, but he certainly makes libertarianism a lot more appealing than the nutbag Ron Paul does (BTW, he takes on Ron Paul in one of his pieces). He is critical of the left, critical of the right, and critical of himself, and that's I think ultimately why this collection works so well. He's funny, well-researched, and smart. Worth picking up.
July 13, 2009
Love and Rockets Vol. 2 #2 MIGHT trump it for me (and who knows when Young/Lasky's Carter Family book will be out) but right now this is my favorite comics collection of the year. Definitely of reprinted strips, that's for sure. Bagge's insouciant crankiness is offset by his self-awareness and amazing cartooning skills.
Read
February 7, 2017Fun collection of Bagge's idiosyncratic cartoons that originally appeared in REASON magazine. Sometimes churlish--his attack on Amtrak seems like overkill when by his own admission, he was taking it because his daughter cannot fly on planes--and sometimes wrongheaded--Bagge's in favor of water fluoridation, which even Ralph Nader is against at this point--but always amusing.
October 21, 2013
I've been reading Peter Bagge since the early days of his Hate comic book, but his more recent works of fiction (done for Dark Horse Comics) have been rather hit or miss. This was a refreshing change --- it's a collection of his comics journalism/op-ed pieces for Reason magazine (a libertarian publication) and it's throughly entertaining as well as thought provoking.
February 8, 2015
I love this book.
Bagge isn't afraid to point out the foibles of folks in both parties, and his comic style is the perfect way to get his points across. There was a lot to think about here, but also a lot of entertainment value.
Highly recommended for Bagge fans and people who like to think outside the box politically.
Bagge isn't afraid to point out the foibles of folks in both parties, and his comic style is the perfect way to get his points across. There was a lot to think about here, but also a lot of entertainment value.
Highly recommended for Bagge fans and people who like to think outside the box politically.
February 2, 2010
I like Bagges' style, but loath his politics. If I wasn't so jaded about libertarianism, I suppose I would have given this 4 stars. It's tough to slog through this many political editorial cartoons. Regardless of the philosophy behind them, comics like this are meant to be read one at a time...
July 9, 2010
A collection of Bagge’s Reason comics from the last decade or so. A lot of them were ones I’ve obviously seen since I’ve been a subscriber since college, but still some different, new stuff in there for me. It’s just fun to see the occasional anger that sepes out.
January 11, 2013
Bagge's comics reportage is generally amusing and interesting, and more balanced than you might think, given his Libertarian leanings. The material doesn't always lend itself to his rubbery style, but overall this is a solid collection.
Want to read
July 1, 2009Click here for PW review and an interview with the author. Hilarious!
~k
~k
July 24, 2009
I read this sort of slow to savor the Peter Baggeishness of Peter Bagge's writing. This is so good and may even be...better...than...Buddy Does Seattle. Maybe, just maybe.
July 17, 2009
An enjoyable bunch of rants, drawn in the classic Bagge style. I don't always agree with his politics and still don't see what he has against roads but still a good read.
August 9, 2009
Short review here:
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/20...
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/20...
July 23, 2011
Funny AND informative. Learned and laughed.
July 19, 2016
have always dug Pete Bagge, even when disagreed with him.
May 11, 2013
uneven, Bagge is at his best when he attacks all sides of an issue and makes everyone sound stupid.
March 20, 2014
Angry and misanthropic and articulate! He rails against the evils of the modern world. Good stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews