Comic Book Tattoo Tales Inspired by Tori Amos Reviews

• Brilliant, Not just for Tori fans

  
  By A32ON9G6F06JP5 on 2008-07-22
  So if you're a Tori-phile, I'm guessing you'll buy the book, no questions asked. You won't be disappointed. Even if you're not a Tori fan, or not even a comic fan (I'm not), I think you'll love the book. Each story is beautifully and fully rendered. It's amazing to see someone else's interpretation of a song that you thought you had figured out all the ins and outs to, and see how far their ideas can be from your own. Several of the stories gave me goosebumps, and I haven't even finished yet. I would recommend considering buying the hard cover or the LE. I got the paper back and it is lovely, but so big that it would be nice to have in hardcover. I'm so pleased to own this book: new ideas to mull over, beautiful stories to move me, and a great conversation piece for my coffee table. Neil Gaimans introduction is beautiful as well.
  
  

• Brilliant and beautiful

  
  By A20HCG1D9LVQD on 2008-07-26
  I hesitated to buy this book at first. I've sort of fallen away from my rabid Tori Amos obsession, but, I was curious about all the hype and press it's getting (in the Tori community) and found a copy on E-Bay. It's stunningly beautiful. I admit, like many of Tori's songs, the message in some of the comics is a bit cryptic. Many of them are obtuse in their words, but gorgeous in their artwork. Some of them are silly in their artwork, but amazing in their story. Any way you slice it or dice it, this is a gorgeous optical orgy. It's hard to not have the songs playing in your head while you're reading the book. I'm hoping they do another volume in the future because there are so many other songs that could be illustrated. Whether you love or hate Tori, you should pick up this book for the amazing artwork and the obvious love and attention they gave to her songs and her muse.
  
  

• Amazing that i am so amazed

  
  By A2YZ4OM9H6F6ND on 2008-07-22
  I'm a pretty hard critic, but this is greatness. The art and the way they manifest it through Tori's lyrics is brilliant. The book is huge and I have to take an evening out by myself to read the whole thing. BUY IT, its the best 20 bucks you'll spend this summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  

• Pleasantly surprised! *spoiler alert*

  
  By AD6TZ71048GQO on 2008-08-13
  First off, this book is definitely worth your 20 dollars. I mean, considering the quality of the book (and quantity, since it's massive), 20 bucks is totally decent.
  
  The artwork here is stunning. It's hard to not be amazed with the quality of the comics - even if you aren't a comics fan, like me.
  
  One thing you should probably know about this book is that Tori never intended for the stories here to be visual cover versions of her songs. She let the artists and writers play. Tori uses a phrase, "mental mischief," which really explains the license the creators of this book's stories had. This is evident in stories like "Bouncing Off Clouds," which really has nothing to do with love in a relationship, the original context Clyde sings the song in. Instead it portrays a scene in a company called Cloud Bouncers Delivery Service, or something of that sort.
  
  Some stories will be rather cryptic, as mentioned before by other reviewers. One example is "Marianne," which has no text at all, just pictures of a bee juxtaposed with a carnival ride. "Father Lucifer," "Honey" and "Toast" were hard to follow for me.
  
  Oh, and there is a Y Kant Tori Read song here too. "Pirates" was another song I didn't quite get.
  
  My favorite story has to be "Here. In My Head," followed by "Waitress." Whoever did these stories should be given a medal. "Here. In My Head" is charming and compelling; it's about a girl who can morph into a raven but needs to figure out what she really wants. "Waitress" gets kudos because it comes close to being a cover version of the song. It makes you REALLY hate the waitress (yes there is a waitress!) in the story. What's cool is that you see flashbacks of the past slowly unfolding as the scene at the present slowly scrutinizes its settings.
  
  I also really liked "God" and "Devils and Gods." "God" had a nice twist to it, and "Devils and Gods" is an emotional yet mysterious story.
  
  There are some I didn't really like, especially "Sugar," "Sweet the Sting," and, sadly, "Bouncing Off Clouds."
  
  Anyway, I know I'm going to receive a lot of flak for giving Comic Book Tattoo 4 stars, but I have my reasons. There are a couple of spelling errors, not just in the comics themselves, but I think there are some missing lyrics too. The book was put together so quickly that I guess they overlooked a few things. Being the perfectionist that I am, I can't bring myself to give it 5 stars.
  
  But I will admit that Comic Book Tattoo exceeded my expectations. I believe it will exceed yours too.
  
  

• Simply Beautiful

  
  By A249M5F4GD1Y8R on 2008-07-31
  I am not even halfway through this book and I already am in love with it. It is very big and heavy, but worth the inexpensive price. The art is amazing and each story is different. It's like a woven tapestry of Tori Amos's mind and heart. Her lyrics read like poetry, and the collaboration between author/musician/artist is simply breathtaking. I'd recommend this book to Tori Amos fans everywhere and even to those who are not fans.
  
  
• Buy the hardcover
  By A20WPGZJJ31OOQ on 2008-08-07
  This is a massive book. I originally intended on purchasing the paperback and I'm so glad that I didn't! It's the perfect "coffee table book," wonderful conversation starter, and masterfully created. I know I sound like a broken record, but this book is incredible, and well worth the extra money for the hardcover... you wont be disappointed!
  
  
• Cinematic and beautiful
  By AJKGTRPT58YIG on 2008-07-29
  I am not a comic book reader, but this book has done an excellent job of introducing me to the genre and the different styles of the comic medium. It is breathtaking, big, and entertaining!
  
  
• Excellent!
  By AJ12V08MWY4GA on 2008-08-06
  I spent my entire day today reading Comic Book Tattoo. I was surprised and somewhat relieved to find that the stories are not stories about the songs word by word. In Tori's afterword she explained that she wanted the writers and artists to dream, not do "cover versions" of her songs, and dream they did! I recommend getting this in hardback. I put the book on my scale and it came out 14lbs! (est. shipping weight is 7lbs) I'd be terrified I'd read the paperback to pieces because it's such a massive book! I guarantee that even if you are not a Tori fan you will love this collection of stories! They are strong beautiful, and full of life! Some are funny, some are tragic, and some are delightfully whimsical. There is something for everyone here!
  
  
  
• Simply Magical
  By ALKJJKKFWB8WL on 2008-09-04
  Just page upon page of magic. It's the only word I have to describe it. I couldn't recommend this any harder.
  
  
• Beautiful
  By A2F0TI4NGO1PSU on 2008-08-11
  I am stunned with the beauty of this book. Each story has its own unique voice. I sat for hours reading and ejoying the amazing artwork. It is incredible what can happen when talented artists work together.
  
  
• Hopefully the start of something new, that will continue~
  By A1UX94F3HQ9RDJ on 2008-08-25
  Unrestrained creativity.
  Total abandonment to their passion for the work, the artists and writers of every story and the musical artist that inspired them. This book is succeeded evidence of the arts crossing pathways to create a new tapestry of artistic experience and expression.
  It takes a beautiful genius to develop this kind of thing. Someone with a deep love for the work of others as well as an acute vision of them and a deep passion for their own work, not hindered by barriers or ego. Every song, every story is a fresh beginning, yet a chapter within a larger story intricately woven together with eclectic synergy and style.
  Totally Awesome and Highly Recommended!
  
  
• Hard to find treasure
  By A1GAPTVZ6IDQ39 on 2008-08-29
  This book is amazing and a hard one to find. I bought the cheaper soft cover to use and this one is staying sealed hoping it's value increases. If you have a chance to purchase one, get it!
  
  
• awesome!!!
  By A38V9RNW09P0L3 on 2008-09-05
  I love this book. It's neat how she let them interpret each song for themselves but some of their interpretations are really off. I like to listen to the song while I read the book. It's very kool. Oh and the book was received in great condition and with quick delivery.
  
  
• Excellent Buy
  By A2LTXR83M9SNTQ on 2008-09-06
  Personally I was torn between this version of the book and the $90 dollar hard cover version but in the end the EXCELLENT price of this version won out; and i was not disappointed. This comic book is pack full of vivid and intriguing art work coupled with interesting story lines. It is a great buy for someone who is a fan and someone who wants to be!
  
  
• drawings on margings
  By AB5DBWJRUHU5R on 2008-09-08
  A solid collection of visionary works, rather "inspired by" than "based upon" Amos' songs - and this is certainly a plus: even for a fan of Amos, the less expected they are, the better they get. On the other hand, for someone who hasn't been raised reading comics, any comic book looks pretty optional, in this case - decorative to original material (songs), like drawings on margings of a student's copy-book.
  
  
• awesomeness!!
  By A2ACZNY3985O54 on 2008-09-09
  This is by far the best idea Tori has ever had. I see all of these songs totally different now--which after listening to some for 10 years--it's a good thing. Artwork and quality of this book is amazing!
  
  
• Feast for the eyes!
  By A3CYO2WE6WMMUO on 2008-09-16
  Beautiful book for Tori fans and likewise. Great to see many songs illustrated through the talents of so many great comic artists.
  
  
• A great idea and a great collection!
  By A2AQ6PLO47S24V on 2008-09-24
  I got very excited when I first learned that Tori Amos and Neal Gaiman were amassing a comic based on Amos' songs. The finished product does not dissapoint. Each song is a starting point for a particular artists' vision. Some follow the song lyrics, others use the lyrics or feel of the song as a departure point for a stand-alone comic. All are well drawn and well printed, a comic fan's delight. As both a comic book nerd and a long-time Tori fan (I still have a cassette copy of Earthquakes somewhere) I recommend this book.
  
  
• Imaginative - You'll Have to Decide If It's Tori
  By A21GPR0JNQ9NPP on 2008-10-03
  This coffee table-sized book is a collection of graphic short stories modeled after Tori Amos songs. If you're expecting literal treatment you may be in for disappointment but if you're willing to go along for the authors'/artists' ride, you may enjoy.
  
  
• Must have for Tori and/or comic fans!
  By A1G89ZWDTJQNCS on 2008-08-26
  I will make it short and sweet. If you are a Tori Amos fan this is for you. This book is a beautiful visual representation (by phenomenal artists, and story borders) of 50+ songs performed by Tori. Buy it, and enjoy it!
  
  
• Just fantastic!!
  By A107L3PIKG7EUH on 2008-08-27
  Just brilliant. I have #632 and it has exceeded all expectations. Highly recommended.
  
  
• This thing is huge and beautiful.
  By AL6ZJ6VK6NQ0W on 2008-08-27
  This book is big and sumptuous; absolutely gorgeous. I've always loved Tori's lyrics--insightful, perplexing, intimate. Merging them with the visual medium of comic book artistry is just brilliant.
  
  By the way, when I say the book is huge I mean HUGE. Hope you've got a nice, big bookcase.
  
  
  
• I don't know
  By A1Z1SPBIKGR99H on 2008-09-15
  It's a great effort, however I find most of the story-telling very conventional. And a lot of the artwork more poor than expected given the beautiful cover. For me there were only a few artist that really caught my eye. The boys for Pele story, The flying dutchman, Honey, I can't see New York and Past the Mission. They were more boldy and unconventionally executed than the rest.
  I guess I'm not a great comic book fan and rather read a good book anyday over this.
  Everybody interprets Tori's music in their own way and I guess no comic book can surpass the images I have in my mind listening to her music.
  But it's still a very enjoyable book.
  3 stars.
  
  
  
• Tattoo I actually like.
  By A2PV6GK1HV54Y9 on 2008-10-09
  Comic Book Tattoo Tales Inspired by Tori Amos is a very unusual and brilliant collection of illustrations based on the singer/songwriter's songs. I am a huge Tori fan and this is a great idea to say the least, the artists who worked on this book really put their heart and soul into this unique project. I highly recommend it, your eyes won't believe it!
  
  
• Amazing book!
  By A2F0QTL6FEDJDF on 2008-10-12
  I anticipated the arrival of the hardcover copy of Comic Book Tattoo on amazon.com for a couple weeks...once it arrived I immediately ordered it. Once I finally got it, I was amazed! It was greater than I expected...weighing in at a few pounds, beautiful 12" pages, and wonderfully rich stories. All inspired by the magnificent songs by Tori Amos. Of course, most Tori fans would deeply appreciate this book, but fans of comic books would also appreciate it too. I highly recommend the hardcover edition, as it could be a coffee table book!
  
  

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