Lars Brown

I really wanted to love this book, as the concept is very appealing. Unfortunately, the art is inconsistent to the point of confusion at times, and the writing jumps all over the place. Treads much the same ground as the excellent Scott Pilgrim series (which at least earns it my attention for the next volume) but is sadly inferior.

If anything, the writing and art is even more patchy than the first book. It feels like a rush job. Still, by wrapping up the story, there were some satisfying narrative moments.

There's a lot going on here, but I liked reading it, I think. From RPG tropes, existentialism(?), philosophy, time loops, man playing God, and searching for a purpose/higher meaning, this story tries to tackle it.

3.5

The short tales in this volume of North World are funny and entertaining, filling in interesting details of Lars Brown's imagined world. With the frothier nature of these tidbits, the inconsistent artwork and narrative jumps from the earlier North World books is less noticeable, making this the most satisfying yet.