Graphic novel. Dull. Really, I like my books better without pictures, and if the text can't stand alone then there seems little point in reading it at all. ( )

A story of remembrance. As a man looks back on his boyhood and the encounters he had with the Mister Punch and Judy shows, he discovers that some secrets better remain undiscovered. A graphic novel lavishly and ingeniously illustrated by Dave McKean and fluidly and intriguingly told by Neil Gaiman. A worthy addition to any library. ( )

Mr. Punch is again a beautiful collaboration featuring the words of Neil Gaiman and the amazing art by Dave McKean. In this book I think that Gaiman's story takes second place, whereas McKean's art is as fabulous as normal. The story is sort of slow and depressing, seen through the eyes of a man remembering his childhood summers, his encounters with the Punch and Judy shows, and his grandparents.The themes are mortality and the passing of things, good and bad.

I've been a fan of McKean's diverse style of art for a while now, and Mr. Punch is a great example of his talents. I love the way I never know where photos end and other styles start... :) ( )

The tale follows a grown man as he looks back and remembers his childhood and various family members who are no longer alive. He remembers his grandfather who sold his grocery business and opening an amusement arcade in the town. It has a mermaid (a lady in a costume and wig who sings on a rock), a ghost train, hall of mirrors and a Punch and Judy show. Sadly no one comes to it as it is not on the main pier and even when it is raining the people stay away so sadly it has to close.

It looks at the story of Punch and Judy as well as a couple of characters no longer in the show like Punch's girlfriend. I had forgotten how grim the tale is. Punch starts by throwing the baby out of the window and then beating Judt to death when she shouts at him. He then beats the polieman to death who tries to arrest him, a physician, a crocodile, a hangman (he tricks him into the hangmans noose in his place) and finally the devil himself. At the end Punch is happy as everyone is now free to do what they want with the devil having been killed. The adult narrating the story remembers how he was frigtened of the tale as a child and it is easy to see why.

It is also a look at the innocence and naivety of childhood. There is a secret past concerning his grandfather that he never picked up on as a child as well as an unexplained tale about his uncle. There are various references throughout the story saying that he now thinks differently. It did enjoy this graphic novel with the range of different illustrations by Dave McKean. A dark trip back down memory lane. ( )

The twisted tale of a small boy's interaction with his family's secrets. Those secrets are intertwined with the classic Punch and Judy story and the street performers who continue to put it on. The story is an entertaining and somewhat disturbing look at how children discover the truth of their family relationships. ( )