Way Too Cool To Be Forgotten

Here's a link to a fantastic video interview with cartoonist Alex Robinson:
Ifanboy - Episode 80 - Alex Robinson

Much more than just a promo bit for his newly released Too Cool To Be Forgotten, it's an in-depth discussion of his previous work and working techniques, told in an affable & irreverent manner. As an unabashed fan of all Alex Robinson's books, this was a real treat. Check out his official site.

Too Cool To Be Forgotten arrived in the ol' mailbag last week. I tentatively set it aside as not to spoil it right away (after all, this has been in the works for 1 or 2 years), but of course that didn't last long and an hour later I sat in bed and devoured it. At 125 pages, it's a quick read compared to the Box Office Poison opus or Tricked, but it's the perfect length to tell this story, a sort of cross between Back to the Future and Freaks & Geeks. You can always count me in for time travel stories. 40-year-old Andy Wicks is trying fruitlessly to kick his smoking habit and as a last-ditch effort undergoes hypnosis, which somehow transports him back to 1985 and his high school years. Robinson has a wonderful way with characterizations and storytelling, accompanying his always impeccable artwork. I always have high expectations going into Robinson's next book and he never disappoints. Definitely go pick it up (only $10 on Amazon!).

Don't just take it from me, here's the book's blurb from Brian K. Vaughan, who wrote the brilliant Y: The Last Man and became a writer (now co-producer) of Lost in the last couple seasons:
"This is Alex Robinson's best book, and one of the rare comics not written by Stan Lee to perfectly capture the tragedy and triumph of being a teenager. Totally recommended."


Perhaps because I just finished watching it on DVD last week, but as I mentioned earlier it reminds me of Freaks & Geeks, which is an easy comparison considering both are set in high school in the 80's. Andy would fall on the "geeks" side of the equation. Anyway, here are a couple hilarious covers from Mr. Rosso, the McKinley High guidance counselor.

Mr. Rosso - I'm Eighteen [originally by Alice Cooper]
This is from a hilarious scene when Mr. Rosso brings the "freaks" into his office and tries to show them that he (and Mr. Alice Cooper) understand what they're going through. Stars of this weekend's Pineapple Express, Seth Rogen and James Franco are among the freaks alongside Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, and Busy Phillips. All around great cast on that show, which sadly only lasted one season.

Mr. Rosso & Feedback - Up on Cripple Creek [originally by The Band]
The freaks get fake IDs to get into an 18+ gig only to find out Mr. Rosso is the band's lead singer. With the continued popularity and success of the Apatow gang (Judd Apatow produced the show), I wonder if he would ever revisit a serialized TV series after the cruel cancellations of both Freaks & Geeks and Undeclared. Incidentally, both shows are "too cool to be forgotten".