Eric

by Tom Manning

Eric is a story of Americana and the horrific implications of what lies beneath its pop and artifice. A celebrated musician in the '60s and '70s psychedelic pop scene, Eric has become a drug-addled relic grappling with his irrelevance. Following a live TV debacle while promoting his greatest hits album, Eric plunges into a terrifying conspiracy spanning multiple realities, and takes a dark, surreal journey into the underbelly of American pop culture.

Eric is the first graphic novel released by writer and illustrator Tom Manning since his critically acclaimed graphic novel Runoff .

392 pages, Perfect Paperback

Published June 1, 2018

Reviews

[John Oakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loses itself a little bit on purpose in the middle there, but sticks the landing. Also has so many moments that take advantage of the form of the comic, and not just for funsies, it all fits into the point of the story as well, very cool

[Goatboy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Eric to be one of the most creative and unique graphic novel experiences I've had in a while. I only heard of it because of the always enlightening Weird Studies podcast as they did an episode on it. But even their detailed discussion of the work hadn't prepared me for the skill in narrative and the very engrossing use of the medium's tools to tell a story that contains aspects of humor, satire, sadness, awe, magic, weirdness, and a certain symbolic display that defies a definite interpretation. That's not a bug, it's a feature. Honestly cannot wait to read it again now that I have the general shape of the narrative in my head. I'm sure that Manning adumbrated all sorts of symbols and easter eggs that I might have missed the significance of on my first time through.

[Steve Portigal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is quite a ride, delving deep into richly detailed genres, worlds, characters, mythologies, only to veer into another one, and then pick up pieces from some of what's left behind. I wish it made sense (to me) and that there was a clearer resolution. But I did really enjoy the trip. Great writing, and lovely illustration.

[AmyKBell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind-bending, starkly illustrated, fascinating tale of Eric, a weird, beloved and aging musician who is thrust into another dimension as its unlikely hero.

[Kerstyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

far out, man

[Gabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool use of the art form, might bump it up to 5 stars. Took my time to really savor it.