Chris Ware Monograph - The Most AWESOME Book EVER 

I once saw Chris Ware in the Back Bay Station CVS, and contemplated saying hello for several minutes. Finally, afraid he'd check out and I'd miss the chance to meet an art hero of mine for twenty years, I haltingly approached him and sheepishly said, "So sorry to bother you, but, are you perchance Chris Ware?" His reply is something I will always cherish, as it so perfectly captured his subtle and supple wit, and his character (in both senses). He said, without a second's hesitation: "I'm *a* Chris Ware." He chatted warmly, kindly and openly for several minutes on the sidewalk outside, and he invited me to come along to a panel he was doing (I think with several other excellent comics artists). Sadly, I was catching a train and couldn't go, but it was as lovely an interaction with a personal hero as I could've imagined. What a great artist, and a truly good person. The world is a much better place, for having hosted him.

"Jimmy Corrigan" gave me one of the most emotional reactions I've ever had to any work of media. That book tore my heart out.

Absolutely overwhelming (in a good way). Had to pause it just to give myself time to absorb the work. How lucky are we that Chris Ware exists?

Always a pleasure to see Chris books seen trough the eyes of other comic artists. Great review of a great book. Thanks a bunch!!! PS. As a curiosity, and maybe you should know it already, there is previous biography of CW released in 2004 by Laurence King in their Monographics series. Worth checking it out.

This is one of my absolute favorite episodes and I have so many favorites. The level of craftsmanship and attention to detail in Chris Ware's work is unparalleled. In the last two weeks I've picked up Mignola's Dracula, FROM HELL and I just ordered this book. Thank you guys for reminding me of the great work that's out there!

awesome book. a good friend of mine saw this here...got it today in the mail, showed me it and now I've ordered it....that's what this is all about! I can't wait to get it. Thanks guys!

Thanks for doing this, guys. What an amazing volume! Can't wait to pick up my own copy.

This extended look is so valuable, even generous, to reuse your own words. Thanks for giving it to us.

I still have a stack of those early Acme/ New City free newspaper strips somewhere in an unopened moving box in storage. It was such a delight to pick up the latest issue and read those early Ware comics.

Thank you for reviewing this!

Thank you for showing this beautiful book! I just discovered him, from an Art21 video and I love his work and geniality, thank you for doing this!

I need this now lol... great video, guys!

My favourite comic of all time on the right hand side at 51:00. It's like a red hot poker to the goddamn heart, and it's everything that makes Ware Ware on one page whose reading order basically insists upon itself. Unreal.

Great commentary. I really enjoyed viewing the book on the smaller screen. It's so big that is sometimes hard to get a macro view of the layouts. Also worth mentioning that their was a Diamond distribution version of this book that included a limited two-sided original art reprint of his Whitney Biennial poster and reprint of the postcard Chris Ware received from Kim Thompson that was accidentally omitted when the book went to press. Of course the postcard contains a lengthy explanation and apology from Chris Ware on the reverse.

Had to scoop this one up before the price goes up. The Keyfabe effect is REAL.

Amazing book!

Picked it up this week at my university bookstore on sale for $24, snagged it immediately, great stuff!

Great video and tremendous book! I think Ware uses a compass with a ruling pen to achieve his longitudinal lines, at least, that is a way to do it. Do y'all plan on doing any vids on his comics, such as Jimmy Corrigan, rather than focusing on his process, which I love, discuss his actual comic? The narrative, visual storytelling, panel/page compositions, etc.? I hope so.

Thank you guys for showcasing this book! I just requested it through Interlibrary loan since the $80 price tag is money that could go towards Reading More Comics. Hopefully, if and when it arrives all of the tip-ins are still intact. It seems like there's an unusual number of people borrowing books that like to read them while eating an ice cream sundae with their bare hands.

Chris Ware the GOAT. Wonderful to get such an insight in this book.

A mega genius ! Ware is god-level.

Beautiful book! I guess I have one thing in common with Chris, I work on a flat surface as well...I mean where would I put my coffee mug? :)

Great book walked through by the best comics channel on YT. Thanks Ed n' Jim!

I feel so dumb. I always just assumed he was creating his stuff in Adobe Illustrator. I had no idea it was all hand drawn and lettered. Holy cow. That's hard to even comprehend now. And all that other stuff he creates!

Doesn't one of the Date Books have a schedule breakdown in it? Like 'five hours on this project, two hours on this one, etc'. Probably from 25 years ago, though

Damn!

...................................................................................................................................................................................................................WOW!

I just ordered my copy of this 10 min ago…

Hurts my feelings too.

Would it compromise Chris's vision to print a run of Jimmy like maybe 10% bigger for us fogies?

Absolutely staggering. Generous is the perfect word for it. What a gift this book is for us all. I adore Ware's work but haven't picked up Monograph yet. Need to remedy that immediately. Thanks for taking us through this and giving us your thoughts, you guys are the best!

I can't imagine doing any of this by hand. Are there any videos of him working?

So, I go to Diamond previews to see if this book can be ordered by my local comic shop and what do I see: www.previewsworld.com/Article/241914-The-Culture-of-Comics-Cartoonists-Kayfabe-Inspires-Wizard-Fanzine

A relief to hear other artists lose confidence as they advance in age and knowledge. I just thought I was going senile and turning to shit! What a beautiful tome!

I've never read any of his work, where should one start?

Per your mention I looked up John Kuramoto. I found this animation on RU-vid that Ware and him did for Ira Glass's this American life. Pretty cool. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R6UeitiICF8.html

This is almost too overwhelming for a comics creator. How can you look at this book and not decide to quit the profession and take up something else?! 😭