Quit Your Job

by James Kochalka (Illustrator)

On his way to work at the Chinese restaurant, Magic Boy discovers an enchanted ring and determines to make an expedition to the North Pole. He only gets as far as the coffee shop on the next block, but his world is forever changed in the short journey.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Humor, Comix

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

James Kochalka is an American comic book artist and writer, and rock musician. His comics are noted for their blending of the real and the surreal. Largely autobiographical, Kochalka's cartoon expression of the world around him includes such real-life characters as his wife, children, cat, friends and colleagues, but always filtered through his own observations and flights of whimsy. In March 2011 he will be declared the cartoonist laureate of Vermont, serving a term of two years.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

2015 re-release of a 1998 short story volume that had gone out of print, for Kochalka fans, with expressively quick-drawn goofy magical characters and sweet, innocent, irreverent, strange stories that help you see the foundations of his later, greater works such as the Klorkian Warriors, Johnny Boo, American Elf. Still, quite entertaining.

The central, longer story, "Quit Your Job" (great title, right?) is of an Elf-like dude, late for work, in a blizzard, who finds a magic ring with his talking cat. I know, I am really selling it, right? :) But when you get a Kochalka work you don't get deep stories, you have this guy telling stories that feel like they kind of meander around, and I like that in him.

[Adam Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just reread this for the I don't know which time. It's been a while since the last time I read it, but it never fails to put a smile on my face. James Kochalka's style is so innocent, but there is always an underlying maturity to it. Very complex, but you wouldn't think just by looking at it.

[Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is what it says on the tin, to which I say "Fuck Yeah!"

[Nate Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

And endless source of delight. Always hilarious. I adore this book.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover said there was an introduction to Jeff Smith in this book. Either I am too dumb to find it, or somehow the introduction was not included in that book. Anyway, I hope Jeff Smith is doing well.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I appreciate Kochalka's unique perspective and storytelling, and I found a couple of panels charming or insightful, but overall his work is just not for me.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

yeah yeah we're soft in the middle and our lives are so hard.

[Sharon Mackey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not at all what I like to read.

[Roger Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's not to love about a James Kochalka book? First, he's a superstar. Second, I forget ... but, oh yeah! I've got a magic ring!

[Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Kochalka has such a unique take on storytelling, one that I really enjoy and the comics collected in Quit Your Job illustrate the roots of his vibrant style. Across the spectrum, from his children’s work like the cheerful Dragon Puncher to the over the top vulgarity of Superf*ckers, he mixes a gleeful childlike imagination with an energetic dirty mindedness, like that hyperactive 12 year old we all remember.

In these early works, you can really see the beginnings of this theme of innocent whimsy leavened with irreverent maturity, an uncompromising child logic and an irrepressible curiosity. In these stories, many facets of Kochalka’s later works can be seen, from his memoir comics American Elf to his comic philosophy in Monkey vs. Robot, and the buddy comedy of the Glorkian Warrior
It perfectly captures that awkward time between childhood and being a “real” grownup, daydreaming about dragons and magic rings while starting to work a dead end job. I particularly loved the title story, in which a pointy eared guy (reminiscent of Kochalka’s insert character in American Elf)and his talking cat stumble over a magic ring (whose power mainly seems to be setting things on fire) find themselves late for work in a beautiful blizzard (the kind I’m finding myself totally missing this year). Recommended for kidults everywhere!

[Twan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A guy and his cat rush out in the snow to catch the bus to work. After falling in the snow, the guy finds a magical ring. This makes him decide to sack his job off and go on an amazing adventure to the North Pole. They don't get as far as that. Oh, and the cat speaks, and it's constant referring to it's owner as 'daddy' had me in stitches.

Very short and very good. My girlfriend even read (she never touches comix) and re-read it with me. Awwwww.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a very quick read filled with the odd type of humor that makes you ask, "what?!" while providing a few snickers (the laugh, not the chocolate bar).

[Seth Odell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a quick read. Good if you like comics.

[Nikola Š · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much story here to speak of (it has a vibe of being made up on spot while drawing), but there is something so cozy about this comic. Might be the snow, might be the 90s.