Hope It All Works Out!: A Poorly Drawn Lines Collection

Poorly Drawn Lines #4

by Reza Farazmand

The absurd antics, good-natured sarcasm, and misguided optimism of Mouse, Bird, Turtle, and Snail are inspiring and infectious, and a reminder that sometimes the best plan is to have no plans at all. The perfect book for comic lovers of all kinds, Hope It All Works Out offers a deep dive into the Poorly Drawn Lines comics of New York Times bestselling author Reza Farazmand.

On the surface, the animals in Poorly Drawn Lines are sophisticated, decadent creatures — Turtle sports a beret, Snail wears shades, Bird smokes cigarettes, and Mouse assumes a fighting stance when anyone challenges his emotional fragility. But lurking beneath their surface images is a surprising warmth and charming naivete that provides the perfect setup for Reza Farazmand’s unparalleled sense of humor. This author-curated collection of new comics and greatest hits showcases the unique and charming world of these small animals and the amusing gap between their tough guy images and animal innocence. Familiar to millions of readers of the Poorly Drawn Lines webcomic and FX animated series on Hulu, this book collection includes dozens of never-before-seen comics. 

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Humor, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Adult, Comedy

208 pages, Paperback

Published September 24, 2024

About the author

Reza Farazmand is a New York Times-bestselling author, comedy writer, and creator of the popular internet comic series Poorly Drawn Lines. He has published four books, including the graphic novel City Monster and the comic and essay collection Poorly Drawn Lines: Good Ideas and Amazing Stories, along with two followup collections: Comics for a Strange World and Poorlier Drawn Lines. His work has been featured in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Adventure Time comics, Buzzfeed, NPR, and on Comedy Central. He lives and draws in Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Hope It All Works Out is a comic book collection of short interactions are stories between Mouse, Bird, Turtle, and Snail with some guest appearances from other animals.
The book is a perfect blend of dry whit, sarcasm, and slice of life humour mixed with friendship and emotion. I'd never heard of these Badly Drawn Lines comics scripts, so I'm so happy I got the chance to read this as once I got into the humor and got used to each characters quirks, I really enjoyed it.
This is a simple, drawn comic book, but it works with the humour written within it perfectly.

[Maria✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can one say about Mouse? He is probably the most relatable mouse to a human being like myself and this book is filled with all and more comics we love him for!

200 pages of funny skits of Mouse and co., Trash Bird and co., Cat and co. and some humans! Mouse was the sole reason, I got this, but almost everything makes me smile. Real life situations (anxiety, depression, feeling lost) turned into great one-liners, sprinkled with some random stories.

The direction of the book was pretty simple, from start to finish was just one comic after the other. I'd maybe want some more artistic creativity in setting it up? Maybe some words? Better presentation, I suppose. This looks like something I could have done myself just by printing all the comics and slapping them together in a book.

Nevertheless, my heart will always be with Mouse and I'm happy to support the creator!

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

While maybe not as strong as the previous collections, I still found plenty to chuckle about in this collection of absurd and bizarre short strips about a strange group of animal friends with the odd tendency to whip out knives without warning.

[Liz (Quirky Cat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:

Life is full of little oddities. The creatures/characters within Poorly Drawn Comics know that better than most people. Characters such as Turtle, Snail, Bird, Mouse, and more grace the pages of this collection, doing their best to get through the day. Usually, with a healthy amount of sarcasm on the side.

Review:

I've been reading Poorly Drawn Lines here and there for what feels like ages (I know, I need to be better at staying up with the comics), so I was excited to get my hands on Hope It All Works Out!

This collection is everything I had hoped it would be, witty, charismatic, silly, and heavily sarcastic. It's a nice break from reality, while still being oddly grounded (the adventures are never so entirely out there).

If you're a fan of wit, dry humor, or sarcasm, check out Hope It All Works Out! More importantly, if you're already reading Poorly Drawn Comics, these are totally new, so take advantage of them!

Highlights:
Slice-of-life
Comedy/Sarcasm
Webcomic

Thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is honestly one of my favorite comic books I've read in a very, very long time. If you've ever wanted a comic book series about a group of animals who all have a similar sense of humor to Michael Scott from the US version of The Office, here you go. I giggled throughout the entire thing. Also, being "over today" by 9AM is just a forever mood.

[Audet Maxime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poorly Drawn Lines comic is as fresh as ever in this new volume collecting older but also never-before-seen adventures of Mouse, Bird, Turtle and Snail. If you like dry humour, those little critters are sure to leave you laughing page after page.

[Patricia Q · Rating 1 out of 5]

There were probably less than 10 pages that were funny and that I could relate to, and they were in the beginning of the book.

[nerdy.bookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't heard of this artist before, and finding this book was truly an amazing experience. The silly jokes reminded me of my boyfriend, and with some of the characters' certain behaviour I could relate WAAAAAAY too much, so it was a fun time and well spent. I even had to stop myself from reading it in one sitting, because I would have loved to spend even more time with it.
I would definitely recomment it!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captured me right out of the gate. Every single panel had me nodding and agreeing that I felt the same way. The colours and drawings were amazing and it was so easy to read. I would recommend, this book to anyone that is looking for a way to get all up in their feelings.

Make sure you have a box of tissues near by.

Thank you to NetGalley, Andrews McMeel Publishing and Reza Farazmand for a copy of the eARC and a honest review.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I needed after a trying last few days

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chuckled plenty!

[Rachel Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I preordered this book as a future gift to myself. Little did I know how much I would need it when the magic mail day came. All 205 pages in one sitting. Love.

This would be the PERFECT thing to buy someone who you know loves a laugh, but you don’t know that well. That coworker whose party you are showing up to as the first non work related thing you are doing and you’re thinking oh my gosh do I go serious or big or small or nothing - LISTEN - you go with this.

Also the perfect gift for people who are awesome and you know well.
And yourself.
I think your dad would love it too.

[Esi ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the Poorly Drawn Comics on Instagram for years now, and seeing a comic collection getting published made me so happy.

I really like the humor of it all and the simplicity of the art style works really well with it. That said, I wish there were some more lengthy comics in this book. Like, a more storyline forward mini adventure to differentiate the book from the online comics.

But in any case, this was a great collection and a fun, quick read.

DISCLAIMER: Ebook provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Robin Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a hilariously real look at life told through the lenses of different animals. The crow was my favorite… read it to find out why. The characters are a salty mix of existential crisis moments and tender moments of love and friendship. The drawings are rudimentary and basic, but hilarious. I really enjoyed this collection.

[Kris V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sharp lines, witty writing. Enjoyed this artist’s work on Instagram, and so I knew I’d enjoy this collection. There’s a definite character development in each of the animals, so it’s fun to get to know them. I think Bird is my favorite; I dig his sarcasm, hehe. Thank you to McMeel Publishing for the review copy!

[Emi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publishing date: 24.09.2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Andres McMeel Publishing for the ARC. My opinions are my own. 

The book as a meal: Morning coffe and newspaper comic strips
The book left me: Feeling very good and comfortable

Negatives: 
More comics please
Some of the humor flew over my head

Positives: 
Fun and relatable topics
Cute artstyle
Quick read

Features: 
Animal protagonists, single page panels (some up to three), quick and concise messaging, relatable topics

Why did I choose this one? 
I have seen this artist's work before, and I knew I would enjoy this a lot. Love their work and love their humor. 

Pick-up-able? Put-down-able? 
My husband had to tear me away from these comics, I was utterly enthralled. 

What was the vibe and mood? 
Comforting, breakfast comic reading, "I felt a little sad and needed something silly"

Final ranking and star rating? 
A tier, 4 stars. Love this collection, adorable art and incredibly funny themes. I found myself relating a lot to these animals. Will recommend this 100% to everyone I meet. 

Favorite panels: 
Notebook
Been Thinking
To-Do List
Been a Fish
Need to Focus
Plan
Improve
All the Places
Think
In Thought
Make Friends
Doing Well
More Relaxed
History of Humans

[Ana Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of comics was even better than I expected. I've followed the author for years and when I found out they were releasing a full compilation of them I knew I had to read it.

We follow a mouse, a bird, a turtle and a snail as they navigate daily life, thoughts and relationships with dark humor and, at times, more insightful circumstances that you'd imagine. If you've ever felt unproductive, overwhelmed, lost and, well, depressed. This is the book for you. You will laugh at life absurdities and enjoy some empty thoughts you may have had before. Highly relatable and funny.

This is the perfect pick me up, a quick read that can be read in one sitting or enjoy one comic a day. A great gift for any person that likes existential jokes and random situations.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful collection! I’ve been a fan of the author’s comics online for a couple years and was thrilled to nab an ARC to review just before release.

There are some exclusive comics as well as ones previously released online, and it’s a fun collection to pick up and put down and read bits at a time. I had to make myself slow down and pace it over 3 days instead of reading it all at once.

Full of witty humor, friendships, some occasional absurdity, and simply drawn charm, I had a blast reading this. I always love the moments where a tiny change like fists up or eyebrows totally changes the meaning of the comic. I recommend and would read another collection by the author. In the meantime I’ll continue following him online for regular charming comics!

I received an ARC copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC | So entirely my kind of humor | I was grinning my fool head off at so many, and then "I don't know you, man. I've got no context for your issues" just really got me, and I laughed over that and startled the cat. I know so many people who would love this, and I might need to go follow on social media. Until now I've just enjoyed when the comics randomly appeared in my feed. Not for youngsters, but older teens with a wry perspective on the world would appreciate it.

ARC provided free of charge, which did not impact my review

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've only gotten properly into the Poorly Drawn Lines webcomic recently, but it's been really hitting the spot lately. This collection is a perfect example as to why. The dry delivery of the absurd humour that completely speaks to how the world is now just completely works for me here. The characters may be simple, but Mouse, Bird, Turtle, and Snail are surprisingly relatable and often remind me of myself or my friends. Fans of the webcomic will definitely find this collection to be top notch and well worth the read!

[ashley and the never ending TBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute cartoon strip with a touch of humor. I thought the animals were adorable, and related heavily to some strips. These were my favorites:


1. Notebook
2. Ever Feel
3. Running
4. Another Mess
5. How’s Life
6. Over This
7. As A Kid
8. Be Mad
9. Doing Well
10. Unstoppable

I’m sure I’ll be seeing these on IG soon enough

[Diana Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collection of comics about Mouse, Snail, Turtle, and Bird as they ponder life.

One of my favorites-
Mouse: "There are simple ways I can improve my life."
"Go to bed earlier"
"Find, like, $30,000."
"And drink more water."

Yes, exactly.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is reminiscent of Liz Climo, but the humor is much more adult. It takes some dark twists and turns here and there. This book ended funnier for me than it started since I was unfamiliar with the characters and it took a while for me to figure them out. Not all the jokes landed with me until I figured out mouse = naive, snail = shifty, smoking crow = jaded, etc.

[Dakota · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so cute! The dry humor never misses its mark.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

There will never be anything funnier then this comic.

[Marnie Hageman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you're not familar with Reza Farazmand's name, you've probably seen his webcomic, Poorly Drawn Lines, floating around the internet. Hope It All Works Out has a similarly dry sense of humor. Farazmand's "poorly drawn" world is full of anxious, existential characters navigating life in all its weirdness. Rather than laughing out loud, these comics will make you nod in agreement or shake your head in amusement. It wasn't clear to me why some comics were titled and others weren't. This may have been done to distinguish multi-page comics from shorter ones, but I'm not sure.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma Demopoulos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly this book made me laugh out loud several times! I enjoyed the “poorly drawn” pictures and goofiness. Only a few of the comics were just so-so.

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh my least favorite book in the series.

For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:

https://youtube.com/shorts/e1nl-1EY38...

Enjoy!

[MKF · Rating 1 out of 5]

Were these comics supposed to be funny or even relatable to readers? For me it was just another book that you know you're wasting time on so you get annoyed because it seems to never end.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this collection and read it twice! Hilarious, relatable, and true to life.