A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection

by Harry Bliss (Illustrator), Steve Martin

#1 New York Times Bestseller • Washington Post Bestseller • Wall Street Journal Bestseller • Los Angeles Times Bestseller

"I've always looked upon cartooning as comedy's last frontier. I have done stand-up, sketches, movies, monologues, awards show introductions, sound bites, blurbs, talk show appearances, and tweets, but the idea of a one-panel image with or without a caption mystified me. I felt like, yeah, sometimes I'm funny, but there are these other weird freaks who are actually funny. You can understand that I was deeply suspicious of these people who are actually funny."

So writes the multitalented comedian Steve Martin in his introduction to A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection. In order to venture into this lauded territory of cartooning, he partnered with the heralded New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss. Steve shared caption and cartoon ideas, Harry provided impeccable artwork, and together they created this collection of humorous cartoons and comic strips, with amusing commentary about their collaboration throughout. The result: this gorgeous, funny, singular book, perfect to give as a gift or to buy for yourself.

Genres: Humor, Comics, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Comedy, Art, Cartoon

272 pages, Hardcover

First published November 17, 2020

About the author

Harry Bliss grew up in upstate New York in a family of successful painters and illustrators, so it wasn’t any surprise that he, too, went on to study painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and illustration at the University of the Arts and Syracuse University. He has illustrated numerous book covers and is a cartoonist and cover artist for THE NEW YORKER magazine. In the tradition of so many NEW YORKER cartoonists, Harry Bliss has illustrated several children’s books, among them A FINE, FINE SCHOOL by Sharon Creech, WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER BE? by William Steig, and COUNTDOWN TO KINDERGARTEN by Alison McGhee.

Reviews

[Sujoya - theoverbookedbibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wealth of Pigeons is a collection of cartoons created by famed illustrator/cartoonist Harry Bliss and veteran actor, comedian and writer Steve Martin.

I picked this book up (it was gathering dust on my shelves for over a year) after reading two emotionally taxing books back-to-back and needed a light-hearted read. This was perfect for a ‘pick-me-up’ and I enjoyed laughing myself silly over this delightful collection of ridiculously funny cartoons (and captions) on a variety of subjects including animals, aliens and outer space and of course the exploits of the common man. We even get a few multi-panel frames in which the collaborators give us a glimpse into their creative process, Bliss and Martin appearing as cartoon versions of themselves!

Needless to say, the artwork is simply stunning with mostly black and white sketches ( a handful with a splash of color). With a wide variety of topics and humor, the collection never gets monotonous. I couldn’t get enough of these cartoons and sincerely hope Steve Martin and Harry Bliss get together for more such collaborations in the future.

For those who enjoy New Yorker-style cartoons, The Wealth of Pigeons by Harry Bliss and Steve Martin deserves a place in your collection! Perfect as a palate cleanser, when you need a good laugh or just because you feel like it! As in most "collections" some cartoons were funnier or more interesting than others but overall, this book is a fun and light-hearted read that I really enjoyed!

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I've reviewed in quite a while and it's a book of cartoons. Understandable, if one realizes how life has sent my way, one too many griefs, challenges, and for the first time in my life I struggled to maintain equilibrium. This book was fun, fun I so needed. Some of the cartoons are more amusing than others, but the illustrations, all black and white, were wonderful. A good gift book I think for the holidays. This has been a tough year for so many, might be nice to pass on a little humor.

[Jessica (Odd and Bookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Celadon Books) in exchange for an honest review.

This was a delightful book of cartoons!

In such uncertain and anxious times, it’s nice to be able to just sit down, take a breather, and have a laugh. This book did exactly that!

The humor is very much like the cartoons you encounter in the newspaper. The same goes for the artwork. It definitely made me nostalgic for the cartoons I used to read in my local paper when I was a kid.



As typical with a cartoon collection, there were some cartoons that I really liked and some that I didn’t quite get.

I liked that there were cartoons about the creation of the book interspersed throughout it. It was a fun touch and I liked seeing the collaboration between Steve Martin and Harry Bliss come together. I also liked that the end pages showed rough drafts of some of the cartoons. It was cool to see that behind the scenes aspect.

Overall, if you like the cartoons that you get in your Sunday paper, then you’ll probably like this collection! This book would also make a great gift.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comedian, author, and banjo-picker, Steve Martin, had some ideas for cartoons. A New Yorker editor decided to fix him up with cartoonist Harry Bliss, and it was a match made in . . . well, let's say a deli with really good pastrami.

They've come up with some decent stuff here - a few laugh-out-louds, and many, many understated chuckles:









The book is a bit on the pricey side, so I'd recommend getting it from the library.

And, not just because I work at a library, dammit!

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

After watching and very much enjoying Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin, I came across this book and thought I‘d give it a try.

It‘s a collection of cartoons depicting funny takes on all kinds of topics - from life in the big city vs to that in rural areas to animals‘ perspectives to art to history to …

Here are some examples:




Unfortunately, while some cartoons really did make me chuckle, Most jokes kinda fell flat for me. I‘m glad I didn‘t buy this book as it would have been a relative disappointment, truth be told. It‘s not bad, it‘s just not as funny as I had hoped.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a copy of this book for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was hilarious! I really enjoyed this. Steven Martin and Harry Bliss worked together to create a short collection of 1 to 5/6 panel cartoons about various things. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect, but this was done very well. There were some pages that really spoke to me and made me laugh out loud. While this is an easy read, it was nice to take my time to appreciate the artwork and the stories that they were attempting to create. This book is the perfect remedy for the crappy year that has been 2020. As a reader you'll find yourself laughing when you least expect and honestly it feels awesome considering all things. Honestly, this would be a great holiday gift for family and friends. This is one that I'm definitely going to pass along to my dad because I think that he'll find it hilarious.

[Taydra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book thinking it would only be an amusing compilation of cartoons by two acclaimed artists. Instead, it completely changed my life. My bills have been paid in advance, with my student debt wiped out. My colon is now squeaky clean, free of toxins. I now have luscious flowing hair and manicured nails. I’ve been blessed with a $1.5 million resort home in Turks and Caicos with a built in jacuzzi and slushie machine. Thanks Steve and Harry!

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steve Martin, who has the Midas touch with creative endeavors, tries his hand at New Yorker style ironic cartoons, with that Martin-edged absurdity. Working in collaboration with New Yorker cartoonist Harry Bliss. Martin is one of the funniest people I have ever encountered. And this collection ranges from pretty good to good.

Here's some of it:

https://tribunecontentagency.com/stev...

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a happy find: I've really enjoyed Bliss' picture books, and I like his style. It looks like a successful collaboration. A pleasant way to spend an hour.

Library copy

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of cartoons from the combined wit of actor, author and comic Steve Martin and the drawings of cartoonist of The New Yorker Magazine and illustrator of children’s books Harry Bliss. The images make you smile and chuckle. They are featured in some of the panels demonstrating their interactions in this process.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of perfectly fine and humorous cartoon panels reminiscent of The Far Side or any number of New Yorker gags. Despite the pedigree of the authors, they are content to mine the old reliable veins, serving up lots of jokes about dogs, desert islands, Disney characters, the Grim Reaper, etc. So many of the gags are two unlikely characters sort of sharing a space and saying something kind of clever or unexpected.

Slightly more interesting are the pages inside the front and back covers showing their process and the occasional strips that feature Martin and Bliss just hanging out or talking about the next cartoon.

Anyhow, I laughed out loud a time or two and enjoyed the short time it took to flip through (made shorter by the fact that every other page is blank so all the cartoons appear alone on the right side of every two-page spread).

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @celadonbooks for this amazing book I have enjoyed over and over again!

There are some books that truly bring joy when you need it most, and this cartoon collection is one of them!

Super funny, super silly but also super real, with lots of heart and soul.

The illustrations were incredible and the captions oh so amazing!!

This duo was a match made in comedy heaven!!

[Bec · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very boring and not hilarious.

[Neile B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is literally a 15-30 minute peruse and the cartoon sketches give me the feel of The Far Side. I love the quirkiness of Steve Martin and Harry Bliss. I absolutely love the cover of this book; it instantly appealed to me.
Harry is also a cover artist for the coveted New Yorker Magazine. Oh how I love the covers of The New Yorker!
Pick this up for a few laughs, you won't be sorry. 4 solid stars

[Sue Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never would have imagined that I would rate a book of cartoons so highly yet I truly enjoyed it. It seems amazing to me that comic Steve Martin would come up with sayings and artist Harry Bliss would be able to draw them. The fact that they had never met each other but seem to have connected makes this even more unbelievable.

This book took less than a half hour to read although I picked it up again and discovered some nuances than I had originally missed. Some of these cartoons with captions I just didn't get, some made me smile, and others made me stop and ponder. Each one was a stand alone and provided a brief comic relief in this crazy world.

[Katie Katieneedsabiggerbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, to be completely honest, I opened this book mail and was like “what is this?” Then I flipped through a few pages and was like “oh this is awesome!” Steve Martin teamed up with New Yorker Cartoonist Harry Bliss to make a fantastic book of cartoons. This is a great coffee table book to flip through when you need a laugh, or just to keep out when visitors come (yea, I know…whenever that day comes again!) It’s also a great gift idea if you are looking for something fun and different!

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very intelligent book of cartoons. Some of these cartoons are too smart. Thank goodness we mere humans are able to google a topic and understand a joke better. Steve Martin and Harry Bliss were put together in a way that is perfect.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Bliss's artwork, and this humorous collaboration is a collection of mostly one-panel cartoons poking fun at various life situations. I liked the Slinky going down the stairs wondering "Is this all there is?" There are also lots of dog-related comics.

[Tex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever collaboration of a humorist and an illustrator. Thoughtful cartoons (laughed out loud a few times), but I really loved the endpapers best.

[John of Canada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steve Martin is always funny and intellectual. And now he has an artist to prove it.

[Alexis Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘A Wealth of Pigeons’ was such a lovely contrast from the books I’ve been reading... Who couldn’t use a laugh right about now?! There’s enough work in it to ensure that almost anyone can find a laugh within these pages. It’s such a beautiful book too. The cover, the interior, the variation in drawings and technique, it’s all so lovely to look through. The pop of color every now and then, as well as having the comics on every other page, really allows you to sit within each work. No distractions from whatever was going on in the previous pages. You’re able to be fully present for the next punchline.

This book will be remaining on my coffee table to share some laughter with those curious friends and family members.

I really enjoyed this partnership between these two creative minds. I hope and look forward to more cartoon collections from this wonderful duo of Steve Martin and Harry Bliss. 💕

[Jamele (BookswithJams) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one and was grateful to have received a copy from the publisher. I flipped through this off and on as I was reading a heavier book and was cracking up the entire time. I am a huge fan of the New Yorker cartoons, and in fact keep their daily calendar at my desk for a smile. This is also why I was beyond thrilled to get this in the mail and I think this would make a great gift for someone this season, or also as a great coffee table book for yourself. Laughing is all something we really need right now.

Thank you to Celadon Books for the gifted book to review.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collaboration between two of the drollest people on earth. What could be better.

[K.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe three were humorous

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want an instant smile on your face, that won't go a way, give this one a try. What a terrific collaboration.

[Snakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff but in small doses. Chuckles and giggles but nothing groundbreaking.

[Michele Dancer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, Harry Bliss drew the gorgeous cartoons in this wonderful book but the very funny captions accompanying them come from the clever and wacky mind of Steve Martin. I've read at least one other collaboration between these two and it's kind of a match made in heaven. The drawings are really works of art and if I understand the introduction, are a result of Martin coming up with the idea and letting Bliss run with it. Whatever the case, if you're looking for something funny, smart, and beautiful to read, this is it. My favorite cartoon, by the way, was Mickey Mouse Palm Read. Literally laughed out loud.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much effort to “read” this book as it a collection of one page/one panel cartoons. There are a few multi-panel cartoons (still on a single page) but these directly address or make fun of the relationship between the book’s artist (Harry Bliss) and author (Steve Martin). Their contributions to this book might not be so clearly divided but the captions and situational humor have Martin’s familiar quirky, clever, odd ball touch. Few pages are laugh-out-loud funny but they are all enjoyable.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superbly entertaining, this book served as my antidote to Human Nature, which was magnificent...but depressing. After a chapter of that book, I would turn a few pages of this book, a match made in heaven, and feel better immediately. Steve Martin has been a hero of mine for 50 years and Harry Bliss is perfectly named; this book made me smile repeatedly!

[Orsolya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t judge me but I’ve had a crush on actor/comedian/writer/musician/etc/ Steve Marin since I was seven years old (I’m 36 at the time of this review). I can’t pinpoint what it is – but there is something very dashing about Steve Martin and it works for me (isn’t ‘dashing’ a wonderful descriptor?). Martin decided to embark on a new artistic outlet – probably the only one he has yet to traverse: cartoon/comics. Thanks to a mutual friend; Martin paired up with Harry Bliss (“The New Yorker” cover artist/cartoonist and children’s book illustrator) to present, “A Wealth of Pigeons: A Cartoon Collection”.

“A Wealth of Pigeons” is a visually graphic coffee table book that is exactly what the title states: a collection of cartoons. Within the introduction to the piece, Martin explains that the creative process for “A Wealth of Pigeons” followed two avenues: (1) Martin had an idea or caption and sent it to Bliss for him to draw the accompanying image or (2) Bliss drew an ‘orphan’ cartoon and asked Martin to think of a caption. This results in a solid collaboration with both men enjoying an artistic release.

The cartoons in “A Wealth of Pigeons” vary in illustration style, content, comic delivery (puns, dry humor, etc) and detail which helps the reader avoid boredom or stagnant art. The consistent tie between the images is the ability to be subtle. None of the cartoons are “in your face” and thus “A Wealth of Pigeons” is best for a soft chuckle rather than a loud guffaw.

A whimsical addition to “A Wealth of Pigeons”, are the cartoons in which Martin and Bliss poke fun at themselves and their collaboration. Somehow these are the most entertaining and ‘real’. Plus, many of these images are in color whereas 98% of the book is in black-and-white.

Unfortunately, some of the cartoons in “A Wealth of Pigeons” are dated and may not make sense in the future (i.e. “Un-Chance the Rapper”) but this is probably related to the position Bliss holds and his perspective from a publication space. They are creative; but dated nevertheless.

Personally, I didn’t find “A Wealth of Pigeons” to be funny overall (I’m sorry Steve! Don’t hate me! I love you!); but it regardless occupied my mind for a short time.

“A Wealth of Pigeons” is a charming, quick (one day) read but don’t expect anything life-altering. Although Martin’s one-offers are appreciated; he should stick to his other award-winning talent streams. “A Wealth of Pigeons” is suggested for die-hard Steve Martin fans or for a ‘passing’ laugh but otherwise it isn’t crucial reading material.