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| American Elf Volume 1: The Collected Sketchbook Diaries Of James Kochalka | 
 enlarge | Author: James Kochalka
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $15.00
You Save: $14.95 (50%)
New (29) Used (15) from $10.10
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 350021
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 496
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.7
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 8.1 x 1.4
ISBN: 189183049X
Dewey Decimal Number: 741.5973
EAN: 9781891830495
ASIN: 189183049X
Publication Date: August 4, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
A deluxe compilation of the first five years of James Kochalka's ground breaking daily diary comic strip. Since October 1998, James Kochalka has kept a daily diary, drawn in comic strip form in his sketchbook. Drawn with relaxed and beautiful brushwork, these strips perfectly capture the rhythm of daily life. From the hilarious to the sad, from the poetic to the drunken, these strips offer a direct and intimate portrait of the life of one of America's most important alternative cartoonists. This ambitious and deluxe, perfect-bound volume collect the first five years of Kochalka's diary. Contains a full-color section.
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| Customer Reviews:
His Best Work Yet! July 26, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I'm a huge fan of both his music and his comics, and this diary strip has entertained me for years. Finally collected, hopefully the world will see the genius behind this strange man. Similar to Peanuts in some ways, although not innocent, the ideas he captures have a simple, everyman quality, to which anyone can relate. Burlington, VT residents and visitors will see the town and its activities in new ways, and gain a further appreciation for them. If you only buy one item from James' vast output, this is the one to get. It captures a side of James that even your mother would enjoy.
rhythms of life.... April 18, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a beautiful piece of work. Within these pages you see the diary comics of our Every-Elf. Lyrical in its poetic simplicity, we go on a journey following the life of Magic Boy, vicariously making sense of the rhythms of Kochalka's daily life, spanning the first five years since the inception of his diary comic. Delightful are the observations he shares, that range from profound to silly, from funny to plain. Neither self-grandising nor self-deprecating, here is a biographical piece that when taken in whole will leave you addicted and wanting more, because we recognize something that looks so simple on first glance, but is acually quite a feat--art not imitating, but rather capturing one of the many glistening beams that glow from this thing we know as life. Don't be fooled by each day's strip; taken separately they are deceptively facile, but step back and you see the wonderous mosaic we have been given via James Kochalka's Collected Sketchbook Diaries.
Sha-zammm! April 27, 2005
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This was my first introduction to James Kochalka's beautiful work. I recommend his big American Elf book to anyone who wants to get an overall sense of who he is and what he does. The daily comics are deceptively simplistic because you only get a sense of the complete tapestry of James' life after reading several in a row. Eventually you get to know all about James, his wife Amy and his cat Spandy over the course of five years.
Our little elf (and even by his own admission he does look like an elf) is neither self-absorbed nor self-deprecating. This mosaic of daily life will leave you addicted and hungry for more excellent work from James Kochalka.
Also features a cute introduction from Moby.
more kochalka December 16, 2007
see my review for volume 2... this volume rules in terms of kochalka. very inspirational cartoonist/artist, his so-short stories expand your mind!
An Artist's Life - As An Elf January 17, 2008
What an interesting idea artist and musician James Kochalka had one day in 1998. Why not draw a daily comic strip documenting the little things that happened in his life? Where would that lead?
Well, it led to his book, "American Elf - The Collected Sketchbook Diaries of James Kochalka" which contains over 5 years of his daily comic diary, from 1998 to 2003. Individually, the comic strips have no power. In fact, individually, they seem kind of pointless. But anyone looking for a punch line is making a mistake. What Kochalka has created is a masterpiece. When combined, the strips document the daily ebb and flow of his life. He has captured the "rhythm of his life" and it will stick in your head.
Kochalka chooses to draw himself and his wife as elves, his best friend Jason as a little white dog, his friends as strange-looking alien creatures, and his pet cat Spandy as, well, a cat. We become so used to seeing Kochalka as an elf that it comes as a shock the few times when he draws himself as a human.
It's interesting which little tidbits of his life Kochalka chooses to include in his strips. He picks random events from his day, or sometimes just his thoughts. It's amazing how much time he spends watching TV and playing video games. When does he find time to draw?
Be prepared - he documents everything. The book is a little childish, a little dirty, and a little strange, but very addictive. It's a fun read because Kochalka is always optimistic and cheerful regardless of the ups and downs in his life. He's also really goofy, which adds to the fun.
Another endearing characteristic of the diary is Kochalka's obvious love for his wife, Amy. He's not afraid to document their tiffs and personal quirks, but their love overcomes all. Yeah, that sounds cheesy, but if you read the book you'll understand.
Filling out the cast of characters are Kochalka's circle of friends. As you read, Kochalka, his wife Amy, their cat Spandy, Jason, Pistol, New Guy, Kate, Josh and the rest seem to become part of your family. It's kind of strange, because these are real people, not fictional characters in a book. But this confirms Kochalka's talent. His comic strips makes these people real on the page.
Kochalka's world is one that you will want to visit often. He is a man who lives the life he wants to live, creating his art and his music, surrounded by friends and family. He sets an example that we can all follow.
Many times, Kochalka has considered quitting his "sketchbook diary". Thank God he didn't. There is an "American Elf - Volume 2" with a "Volume 3" coming out later this year. And he's still at it today, posting daily strips on his "American Elf" website.
Thank you James for putting your life out there for the world to see. It's a helluva fun ride.
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Michael Mihalik is the author of Debt is Slavery: and 9 Other Things I Wish My Dad Had Taught Me About Money. Learn how to gain control of your finances, pay off your debt, and create financial security!
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