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Hopeless Savages #1
Hopeless Savages
Family ties are the earliest ties that bind, setting the tone for the paths we will take in our future. So what if your father is Dirk Hopeless and your mother Nikki Savage, a superstar couple from the days of punk rock? When you're born a rebel, what can you possibly do to make yourself stand apart? For Rat Hopeless-Savage, the answer is to leave home and become a normal citizen with a nine-to-five job!
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 18, 2009
The concept of this book is really solid -- a family dramedy about the children of 70s punk icons -- and I love all the characterizations. However, I often found the execution to be lacking -- major plot points were muddled and confusing, and I found the art and word balloons frequently hard to follow. It could just be my lack of familiarity with manga style, but the confusion was enough to knock this down a point for me.
March 28, 2017
I would have loved this in high school. The style of writing reminds me of the novella I wrote during computer class in high school. Which is not a bad thing. But not what I am into now.
October 12, 2025
too british to be fun
the concept has potential (setup/room for eccentric characters in 70s; a post- punk family) but most of the story and character motivations feel too muddled and hollow to be anything actually interesting. Rat, the main character, and his sister, Skank Zero, sometimes come across as grounded and intentional (but infrequently)
the comic seems more interested in suggesting an atmosphere (a jittery and restless punk energy capturing the spirit of the style) than actually building any momentum in the story from it, or deriving a meaning
another reviewer mentioned this too, but the manga influences in the art definitely noticeable. they’re nice touches, but they don’t really make sense in context - and they’re not sustained enough to feel deliberate!
the bob dylan-esque note card story monologue was uncreative also
the concept has potential (setup/room for eccentric characters in 70s; a post- punk family) but most of the story and character motivations feel too muddled and hollow to be anything actually interesting. Rat, the main character, and his sister, Skank Zero, sometimes come across as grounded and intentional (but infrequently)
the comic seems more interested in suggesting an atmosphere (a jittery and restless punk energy capturing the spirit of the style) than actually building any momentum in the story from it, or deriving a meaning
another reviewer mentioned this too, but the manga influences in the art definitely noticeable. they’re nice touches, but they don’t really make sense in context - and they’re not sustained enough to feel deliberate!
the bob dylan-esque note card story monologue was uncreative also
August 18, 2007
What you want the Osborn kids to be: witty, honest, vulnerable, and real.
April 19, 2019
I have been on a streak of great comics, so it was sad to have such a bad experience here. The volume had a lot of abrupt transitions, characters that felt like cookie cutter stereotypes, and poor pacing. I did not like it at all. I am sad that I bought the second volume already before reading this one.
September 4, 2017
A fun, dramatic story about an angsty teen navigating high school and relationships while dealing with the complications that come with having famous punk rock parents. Loved the black and white illustrations.
March 31, 2019
For some reasons, I had somewhat high expectations for this book. It made absolutely no sense and I couldn’t get attached to any of the characters because I barely understood what was going on. This is one of the worst comics I’ve read.
April 7, 2024
The plot of this book is somewhat interesting but it was completely ruined for me by the lack of development/follow through of plot lines. I also found the characters and dialogue to be way over the top/obnoxious and trying too hard.
May 21, 2017
Adorable.
August 10, 2017
A cute and funny story about what happens when two 70s punks settle down and raise a family of four. There isn't a lot to it, but it's really joyful.
November 25, 2018
I expected more, but it was a cute story and a creative idea.
September 28, 2019
I’m not punk, which is presumably why I didn’t get much outta this.
April 25, 2022
the story is a bit much, but honestly, this was really fun to read and i love this family a whole lot.
June 7, 2022
This is actually a re-read from my childhood. 90s MTV culture at its finest :) Punk family life and adventures in kidnapping with quirky, unique characters. Still a fun read!
July 4, 2025
Simple story, punk rock characters, fun read.
August 21, 2014
This book is great fun. It's violent, but in a cartoonish way. It's vulgar, with almost all the profanity being nonsense words (and British profanity, which is like nonsense anyway). The story is ridiculous, but you can't stop reading to see where it goes next. It's got a classic punk attitude that always remembers not to take itself too seriously. The main protagonist's name is Skank Zero Hopeless-Savage. Jen Van Meter and Christine Norrie clearly had a lot of fun making the comic, and it shows through. The writing's funny, but still manages moments of poignancy. The art is very indie, but not in an off-putting way. It's not really that different from traditional comic book art, but it's got the right amount of punk attitude mixed in. The flashback sequences by Chynna Clugston-Major are nice little breaks, too.
It's a wonderful book, utterly delightful.
It's a wonderful book, utterly delightful.
August 5, 2014
My sister lent me this book ages ago and I adored it, so as I mentioned in a previous post, when feeling guilted into spending money at the local comic book store, I knew it was a safe bet. Unfortunately the printing I purchased was a little low-quality. On several pages, part of word balloons were cut off the top of the page. Lame. So maybe not the best material for recruiting new readers, no matter how cute Skank Zero is.
But the story itself is great fun. The basic idea: what happens when two punk rock legends get married, move to the suburbs, and have four kids?
But the story itself is great fun. The basic idea: what happens when two punk rock legends get married, move to the suburbs, and have four kids?
January 27, 2009
At the center of this story is a proudly anachronistic family of punks in modern-day England. They are generally-happy people with common problems who find themselves mixed up in an implausible madcap adventure. It's a soap-opera, comedy, and children's cartoon in one, and it is written with a level of wit and compassion uncommon in graphic novels.
Note: The sequel to this book (Ground Zero) proves that the written word carries the story even in a graphic novel, because the artwork was awful and I still got misty-eyed towards the end.
Note: The sequel to this book (Ground Zero) proves that the written word carries the story even in a graphic novel, because the artwork was awful and I still got misty-eyed towards the end.
March 1, 2013
Told as Zero making a movie to get into film school, the story has a great framing device. The characters are all wonderfully quirky and very appealing. Despite the fact that their family circumstances aren’t normal, the Hopeless-Savages are a family that most teens can relate to. This is one of my favorite graphic novels. While the graphic novel is in black and white, it also includes four short stories in full color. I give this graphic novel four stars are five stars.
March 2, 2008
I loved this! The punk family that rocks together, stays together. When their punker parents are kidnapped, Arsenal, Zero, Rat, and Twitch will stop at nothing to get them back. Along the way they infiltrate an evil coffee empire, re-punk their estranged brother, and find out that their dad once fronted a boy band.
March 24, 2008
Loved it!
Kinda wish I grew up with once-famous punk rocker parents. This graphic novel is well written, has great art perspectives and makes you feel like you're along for the ride to rescue the parents from a Starbucks swiggin', money hungry, ne'er-do-well, sell-out idiot.
Great for angry grown ups like me.
Kinda wish I grew up with once-famous punk rocker parents. This graphic novel is well written, has great art perspectives and makes you feel like you're along for the ride to rescue the parents from a Starbucks swiggin', money hungry, ne'er-do-well, sell-out idiot.
Great for angry grown ups like me.
March 11, 2008
this portrait of a punk family has a little too-ridiculous plot with a little too-extraordinary characters. while i appreciate the film intertitles and frequent flashbacks, it's a little too...comic...to hold my interest.
May 12, 2008
Ever wondered what the kids of British punkers are like? Take a look at the Hopeless-Savage family and enjoy the ride. Lots of fun made-up words. I could just hear them with that unmistakable accent.
June 13, 2008
I had a hard time getting this book from Abby - and when I did - I saw why. Who wouldn't want to have punksters as parents? I'm going to read the whole series now. i also like who they got Rat back and I loved having some of the earlier comix in the back.
August 8, 2007
A little confusing. Likeable characters. Fun Quick Read. You know how it is going to end.
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September 15, 2007I am so going to name my first child "Skank".
January 24, 2008
A family of whimsical punk-rockers has to band together to stop one of the siblings from "selling out." Really stupid.
November 22, 2008
This was really good! The art is really cute, and it's interesting for me to read about a nontraditional but loving and resilient family.
July 9, 2009
Check out my review of HS: Ground Zero. That pretty much works for the whole series!
January 7, 2010
The crazy adventures of punk-rock parents and their children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews