Something that is evident when reading the full book is how Robinson's art style developed over the course of the comic's run.

My personal favourite aspect of the Box Office Poison universe is the troubled relationship between Sherman and Dorothy, which shows off Robinson's skill at creating characters with well defined personalities. Where in many comics, characters are only characterized by which way the speech bubble tail is pointing, here you have characters that have good days and bad days, personal problems and very real neuroses.Ī chunk of the action takes place in the comic book industry itself, which is something not all that many people will be able to relate to, but it is handled in a very human way that pu lls you in due to the effects it has on the characters involved.

Reading Box Office Poison, it's impossible not to love the characters. The story follows a group of very normal people doing very normal things, but that's usually what makes for extraordinary lives in many cases. No huge advertising campaigns, no 'speculator' foil stamped covers, nothing but good content. Originally published as a series of mini comics, Box Office Poison drew increased popularity through simply being really, really good. Thankfully, I bought this huge 600 page tome of independent comics joy after Christmas with some vouchers for my local indie comics emporium, and I must tell you that this book more than justifies the high(ish) price tag. Sadly, that's also the kinda thing that a lot of us never get round to. The sort of thing you hear mentioned when people talk about titles that are Really Damn Good, and that You Really Should Read. This is one of those comics titles that's been on the edge of my radar for years.

Box Office Poison by Alex Robinson