Streetwise: Autobiographical Stories by Comic Book Professionals

by Jon B. Cooke (Editor), John Morrow (Editor), Will Eisner (Foreword)

Streetwise features autobiographical comics stories by the industry's top talent, including Jack Kirby, Brent Anderson, Murphy Anderson, Sergio Aragones, Nick Cardy, Paul Chadwick, Evan Dorkin, Sam Glanzman, Jeffrey Jones, Joe Kubert, Gray Morrow, John Severin & Roy Thomas, Walter Simonson, Rick Veitch, Barry Windsor-Smith and more. Features a foreword by Will Eisner, and color cover painting by Steve Rude.

Genres: Comics, Anthologies

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

Reviews

[Michael Neno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Created as a response to and a continuation of Jack Kirby's late period autobiographical short, "Street Code", TwoMorrows Publishing's circa 2000 Streetwise is a fine anthology of collected and commissioned autobiographical short works by a wide range of cartoonists. Including works ranging from those who were present at the creation of the medium to underground cartoonists and indie and outsider artists, the book's subject matter is likewise diverse. Some stories are whimsical, even fantastic, others brutally realistic.

Just a taste of the contributors involved: Joe Sinnott, Alex Toth, Rick Veitch, Jeffrey Jones, Eddie Campbell, Evan Dorkin, Sam Glanzman, Brent Anderson, Sergio Aragones, Barry Windsor-Smith and Murphy Anderson.

Charles Hatfield's introduction gives both an historical context for the works and some thoughts on the mingling influences of underground and mainstream autobiographical work. The book is handsomely designed, the stories beautifully drawn and Steve Rude's cover painting illustrates the near-mythical moment when Kirby, as a young boy, saved a science fiction pulp magazine from
a watery gutter. It was his first exposure to science fiction. The comics industry and countless lives would be radically altered without that moment.

[Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun, a total grab bag from some greats and some lesser-knowns.

[Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally bought this book when published as I was so keen on reading magazines published by Twomorrows and iot was my era they talked about.
This is slightly different - autobiographical stories by comic artists.

I kept this book as it still is a great read after all these years. Simple re-tellings of events, some autobiographical; some funny; some serious.

[Keith Bowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was worth it just for Kirby's "Street Code" story - everything else just sweetens it!