Description
Description
Tedward is, in many ways, the quintessential 'lovable loser' -- an almost literal blockhead and mangenue in the grand tradition of Pee-Wee Herman, Candide, and Flakey Foont, affording his creator the perfect vehicle to indulge his brilliantly absurdist storytelling instincts. Tedward's susceptibility to temptation, exploitation (capitalistic or sexual), and misplaced trust continually lands him in ridiculous and hilarious situations, be they scatological, orgiastic, violent, or mundane. Through it all, his heart of gold never wavers.
Tedward is the latest collection from British-born Philadelphia cartoonist Josh Pettinger. Featruing sex trousers, coital hygienists, warm televisions, hot rocks, and clown meat, as well as romance, crime, conflict, and cosmic wonders! A spiritual cousin to the humor of Simon Hanselmann and Daniel Clowes, Pettinger's singularity of tone and style in these episodic comedies mark him as a master cartoonist just entering his prime.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
A person can actually -- gasp! -- have FUN with this comic, just as it's fairly clear from the perspective of this critic that Pettinger himself had fun making it. Smartly done without being full of itself, humorous without resorting to lowest-common-denominator laughs, weird without being pretentiously so, Pettinger is really hitting that 'sweet spot' that lets you know he's firing on all cylinders.-- "Four Color Apocalypse"
Subterranean vibes of the inexplicable -- What's with Tedward's mother and her blood feud with Mrs. Raynor? Why does Tedward's and Judy's relationship escalate to such a ludicrous degree? -- never quite bubble to the surface, but the distant sound of that rumbling below the ground keeps you turning the page.-- "The Comics Journal"
Pettinger is an acidly dry British man who writes about old-fashioned block-heads and doomed romance. Dark, surreal and hilarious. Classic British comedy!-- "Men's Health"
There are a few names that represent the future of comics storytelling -- one of them is Josh Pettinger. His work is fantastic.--Igort (author, How War Begins)
There's humor, suspense, crime, and romance all contained within this compilation of Tedward stories. The artwork is phenomenal at every page turn and you really get a sense that Pettinger is engrossed in the work.-- "Miami's Community Newspapers"
The hapless-yet-chipper oddball and his milieu are brought to life through crisp yet creepy art reminiscent of Dan Clowes's early Eightball comics and Gilbert Hernandez's idiosyncratic sci-tales in Love and Rockets. Fans of such gonzo cartooning will revel in the absurdism of this grotesque saga.-- "Publishers Weekly"
Pettinger is one of those indie cartoonists who, though acclaimed, really deserve far greater recognition. Jump into the world of Tedward and see just why.-- "Broken Frontier"
Tedward's adventures are both absurd and uncomfortably plausible. If you're prone to viewing humanity with a gimlet eye, here's the gin and lime juice to go with it.-- "The Book Beat"
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Fantagraphics Books
Pub date:
2025-03-18
Length:
160 pages

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