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trevoryan's review
1.0
I was pretty disappointed that this book is pretty much only about Andy's wrestling obsession. Out of all the weird things he did in his life, wrestling is the least interesting to me.
yeah_nahnia's review
5.0
There's really nothing like a non-fiction graphic novel. I never grew up knowing who Andy Kaufman was, never watch Taxi or SNL, but I'd often heard people talk about him and the persona Andy used was fascinating. I haven't yet watched Man on the Moon, but hopefully it's as good as this.
4 stars, but it gets an extra star for reminding me that Heartbeeps existed. I hadn't realised Andy Kaufman was the lead. Amazing.
4 stars, but it gets an extra star for reminding me that Heartbeeps existed. I hadn't realised Andy Kaufman was the lead. Amazing.
cortjstr's review
5.0
This was a really interesting way of presenting this aspect of Andy's career. I especially like how it also talked about Lawler's parallel entrance into wrestling. Typically Lawler is either only briefly introduced or it's assumed the reader knows all they need to about him.
rkiladitis's review
3.0
Box Brown, the award-winning creator of Andre the Giant: His Life and Legend and Tetris: The Games People Play returns to introduce readers to one of the most controversial comedians of the '70s and early '80s, Andy Kaufman. The biography covers Andy's younger years; how his persona was largely formed by television, particularly professional wrestling and cartoons, which would figure into his act years later. Much of Is This Guy for Real? details his "feud" with wrestler Jerry the King Lawler; one of the greatest "are they or aren't they?" rivalries of all time. The book also covers his death at age 35 from lung cancer, and the fact that many people - including his co-stars on the television show Taxi - swore it was a hoax.
I grew up watching Andy Kaufman as Latka Gravis on Taxi, and his stand-up performances on Saturday Night Live. I can't hear the Mighty Mouse theme song without seeing him lip sync and gesture along. I remember watching he and Jerry Lawler go at each other, and never being quite sure whether or not it was real (you'll find the answer in the book). Is This Guy for Real is an eye-opening look at an artist who was ahead of his time - warts and all - and gone too quickly. I'm hoping this profile introduces new audiences to Andy Kaufman and his stand-up; I know I'll talk it up to our teens once I get our library's copy.
I grew up watching Andy Kaufman as Latka Gravis on Taxi, and his stand-up performances on Saturday Night Live. I can't hear the Mighty Mouse theme song without seeing him lip sync and gesture along. I remember watching he and Jerry Lawler go at each other, and never being quite sure whether or not it was real (you'll find the answer in the book). Is This Guy for Real is an eye-opening look at an artist who was ahead of his time - warts and all - and gone too quickly. I'm hoping this profile introduces new audiences to Andy Kaufman and his stand-up; I know I'll talk it up to our teens once I get our library's copy.
brianneedsanap's review
4.0
SHUT UP! If you were from Hollywood and had brains, like ME, you would know this book is great!
adamskiboy528491's review
5.0
I haven't read any of Box Brown's work, but this was a great starting point.
[b:Is This Guy For Real?: The Unbelievable Andy Kaufman|34506909|Is This Guy For Real? The Unbelievable Andy Kaufman|Box Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497008515l/34506909._SX50_.jpg|55632798] by [a:Box Brown|2956612|Box Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1332895871p2/2956612.jpg] makes you love Kaufman even more! In my opinion, this is how you do a biography right! Reading a graphic novel version of "The Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion Of The World" alludes to Kaufman's career - collaborating fact and fiction, and we can't pinpoint which is real or not.
Brown chronicles Kaufman's life (he died in 1984) from his days as an impressionable youngster, obsessed with various performance disciplines (from studying African drumming with Olatunji and performing on Taxi and Saturday Night shows Live) as well as his lifelong love of pro wrestling. Brown explores a complicated entertainer's personal and professional side, including Kaufman's fascinating friendship with World Wrestling Entertainment legend Jerry "The King" Lawler.
Much credit is owed to the writer and artist for deciphering the larger strokes of Kaufman's life and finding the more nuanced influences that others who've sought to tell his story have missed. I'm not sure there's possible for a definitive biographical work about Kaufman's life, shrouded in confusion as it was (some still insist he faked his death). Still, I think Brown's graphic novel suits Kaufman fans like myself. You'll certainly enjoy it!
[b:Is This Guy For Real?: The Unbelievable Andy Kaufman|34506909|Is This Guy For Real? The Unbelievable Andy Kaufman|Box Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497008515l/34506909._SX50_.jpg|55632798] by [a:Box Brown|2956612|Box Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1332895871p2/2956612.jpg] makes you love Kaufman even more! In my opinion, this is how you do a biography right! Reading a graphic novel version of "The Inter-Gender Wrestling Champion Of The World" alludes to Kaufman's career - collaborating fact and fiction, and we can't pinpoint which is real or not.
Brown chronicles Kaufman's life (he died in 1984) from his days as an impressionable youngster, obsessed with various performance disciplines (from studying African drumming with Olatunji and performing on Taxi and Saturday Night shows Live) as well as his lifelong love of pro wrestling. Brown explores a complicated entertainer's personal and professional side, including Kaufman's fascinating friendship with World Wrestling Entertainment legend Jerry "The King" Lawler.
Much credit is owed to the writer and artist for deciphering the larger strokes of Kaufman's life and finding the more nuanced influences that others who've sought to tell his story have missed. I'm not sure there's possible for a definitive biographical work about Kaufman's life, shrouded in confusion as it was (some still insist he faked his death). Still, I think Brown's graphic novel suits Kaufman fans like myself. You'll certainly enjoy it!
helpfulsnowman's review
3.0
A solid book, a good look at a portion of Kaufman's life that's less discussed and considered. Box Brown does a really nice job with this kind of material.