Fantastic Butterflies

by James Kochalka

Tom Devlin Highwater Books provides the graphic design for one of the finest new graphic novels this year. James Kochalka has been called "one of the brightest lights of independent comics" and Fantastic Butterflies is a shining example of his genius. Magic Boy wanders drunkenly through a hallucinogenic nightmare world of Cancer Robots, softball showdowns, dance parties, barbecues, time machines, testicular injury, and cake-baking kung-fu cuties! The graphic novel has twists and turns so bizarre you'll be shouting out "OH MY GOD!" and scaring your roommates. It also happens to be hilariously funny and infectious in its bubbly charm, combining autobiography with a kind of magic science-fiction.

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

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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

[Jan Philipzig · Rating 4 out of 5]

By Kochalka's standards, this story is down-to-earth. Sure, it takes the occasional fantastic turn (let's see, there is the talking dog that "used to be a robot," the time machine anybody can use for $0.35, the cancer robot who can "fucking rot your guts out from the inside"), but reality is always just around the corner. In Kochalka's world, the fantastic is a byproduct of being true to yourself. The plot? Well, there is this guy who has cancer and feels that the tumor "has as much right to live as I do"... In summary, as it says towards the story's end: "The world is pure nonsense. Accept that and enjoy the silly ride." Good advice, and Fantastic Butterflies just might be your ticket!

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just didn't get this. It's almost a stream of consciousness story with terrible art that looks like it was drawn by a third grader.

[Jamie Felton · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading this particular Kochalka, I was thinking, "What the hell is this about? Where is it going?"
And then, near the end, Jason X-12 (a dog) and a robot are sitting in a bar and the following conversation ensues:
Jason: I used to be a robot.
Robot: Oh yeah?

Robot: What the fuck is that supposed to mean!?
Dog: It's true! In fact, I've still got a robot brain. Sometimes the pointy parts of the motherboard poke the inside of my skull. That's probably why I'm angry most of the time. Beer helps, though.
Robot: ANGRY? I'm a cancer robot. SO DON'T GIVE ME ANY FUCKING SHIT! 'Cause I'll fucking rot your guts out from the fucking inside.
Dog: I'm not giving you shit. I'm just trying to be friendly.
Robot: Fuck "friendly", you liberal FUCK! I'm a fucking KILLER!!!!
Then the robot goes on this rampage in the bar. It's so funny at the end that the fact that the beginning is so strange and off-putting only makes it funnier. Kochalka is someone you have to really trust to get you to the end where everything will suddenly make sense.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Fantastic Butterflies" is James Kochalka's best graphic novel. He and his wife Amy (both drawn as elves) are the main characters who are preparing for a party. They visit their friend, an artist, who is dying of cancer and then set off for a night of fun. Along the way we meet Jason X-12 (drawn as a dog), Amy's friend Josh (pronounced Jawsrch and is female) as well as their other friends all drawn as animals or monsters. The world is similar to the one we live in except there are time machines you can use for a quarter and there are robots.

James' drawing style is deceptively simplistic and utterly compelling to look at. The story pings along nicely and it's overall message - celebrate life! - is charming and invigorating. It's a fantastic graphic novel for those who want to experience James Kochalka's work and who don't want to dip into the Sketchbook Diaries and his children's books (though those are excellent too). Great fun, highly recommended for comics fans.

[Chris Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastical, unpredictable, and spare. Leaves space for the reader to discern the details, while asking for a heavy dose of verisimilitude. Just roll with it and go with the key quote, "the world is pure nonsense. Accept that & enjoy the silly ride." This sentiment, more vividly described in Albert Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus", is certainly something you can embrace in dealing with how completely nonsensical the present day has become.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Angelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Butterflies is like a dream where all your friends are there…and then an angry robot shows up to ruin the party. I love James Kochalka's brain <3

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I haven't a clue what to say about this. It is very weird. I certainly enjoyed it but the whole time I'm like, "What am I reading?". It's not really a story but all the little episodes are connected so it makes sense. I'd recommend it, but not to anyone I know. LOL. If you're a little warped and like things such as: time warp telephones, talking dogs who used to be robots, cancer robots who come and get your cancer, a burst testicle preserved under the kitchen sink and girls who fight like manga ninjas calling out their moves (Gosh, I loved that part!) ... then this one's for you.

[Sri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Awalnya menceritakan kehidupan yang normal sampai di suatu titik, James bertemu anjing yang bisa berbicara dan James meloncat ke masa depan menggunakan mesin waktu! Lalu ada pesta yang tampak normal juga tapi kemudian muncul robot...
Duh, terlalu ga ngerti, apa maksud semua ini >_<. It's supposed to be philosophical and I just don't get it :D.

[Hollowspine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Butterflies is yet another great comic from Kochalka, exploring themes of depression, friendship, woman power, illness and just figuring out how to enjoy life. Highly recommended for those who enjoy original comics, that don't take themselves too seriously, yet have messages readers can take to heart. Also, the artwork.

[Bryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kochalka's meandering comic has no plot, a few good jokes, and does nothing but provide occasional cuteness. I don't understand his popularity. The Conversation series is great but everything else I've read just falls flat.

[Hanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried to smush in cancer, time-travel, robots and talking dogs with no plot whatsoever to back it up.

[Holly Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time flies, I feel like I just read this yesterday. Oh well. I picked this up at Circle Thrift for my fiance, who is a much bigger Kochalka fan than I am. It was all right I guess.

[Denisse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me había gustado la primera vez que lo leí pero ahora lo encontré súper random. Igual me gusta, es solo que no lo encontré tan bueno.

[Twan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Erm.......

[Bradley Sreenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most inspiring comic ever. Buy it and you will smile your face off, metaphorical as hell. Perfect for kids to escape the harsh realities of life. Never forget waiting for it on Christmas Day.