Box Office Poison; A Hardcore Review

Into it holds the idea that we should be fair and balanced and be "nice" and not be damning of a product or its creators. I say this. It would not be truth if I only reviewed things I liked or always in a favorable way. In fact the reviews where I have panned something have brought me the most kudos from readers. And quite simply, if you do not like things to be reviewed fairly and in an editorial manner... DON'T FUCKING READ MY REVIEWS! In fact if that's how you feel you should probably never read anything I write... EVAR!
I am going to remind everyone who reads these reviews that the grading system I use is this: instead of thumbs up or stars, I rate on hardcore moments in pro wrestling history. The more hardcore the event, match, promo or moment the more I liked the book, comic, movie or video game I am reviewing. The less hardcore the moment, the more I disliked it. An example would be anything related to Hulk Hogan would be highly NOT recommended. Onto the review...
Today I review Alex Robinson's Box Office Poison. The book itself is a tome. Starring the protagonist Sherman as he moves into a room in Steven and Jane's apartment. Sherman works at Mathew's Book Emporium and is an aspiring writer. Right off you know this is going to be an interesting story because of the room Sherman moves into. Trust me, it is pretty eclectic. Sherman is seconded by his buddy Ed, whom he met in college. Ed is an aspiring comic book artist, but works at his dad's hardware store.
At the new apartment party Sherman meets Dorothy, who is stuck in the bars of the fire escape outside of Sherman's window. There is an immediate attraction and Sherman asks her out on a date. There's one hitch. He never asked her what her name is. So, a la Seinfeld, he has to find a way to figure out her name. Cant' ask someone their name when you've already asked them out, can you?
Meanwhile Ed, who is in his mid twenties, and harking on his quest to lose his virginity is a troubled man. He goes to Zoom Comics to have a job interview, and is told he needs a little seasoning. The interviewer sends Ed to an older artist to become his assistant. Ed resents the idea but goes along with it none the less. I mean any dream you have is worth sacrificing yourself a little. His boss is a tiny man with a massive bite. He is Irving Flavor, and Ed's life will never be the same.
Steven and Jane, Sherman's new roommates are something else entirely. Steven is a history professor at the local university with a penchant for Theodore Roosevelt. Jane is a cartoonist who is working on a biographical cartoon.
The side stories in this book, which some people may feel are just filler are some of the best parts. The little punk raver girls who you eventually find out are runaways even have a past that Robinson shows us.
It is a tough tough world out there and Alex Robinson handles "slice of life" as well or better than some of the super huge names out there, like Terry Moore. There were points where I was reading for hours and didn't even know it, I was so drawn into the characters. Robinson also pays tribute to the men who came before him with Irving Flavor's story. It's done really well and would make Siegel, Shuster, Kirby, Finger and Robinson proud. The unsung heroes of this industry. At least until the 60's and 70's when Neal Adams helped get the Superman creative team onto the map. We're still waiting for DC to rightfully respect the efforts of Robinson, and Finger. And for Marvel to give just due to Kirby.
So in summation, if you enjoy slice of life stories, this one is for you. Box Office Poison and books like it are the reason I read comics. I mean there is something for everyone in this industry. BOP is no exception. It is done extremely well, and written with a lot of love and reverence for the characters. I give this book a series of moments in hardcore wrestling history including one that got ECW thrown off a lot of syndicated networks. The Raven/Dreamer/Beulah love triangle, which became the Beulah/Dreamer/Wanalaya love triangle and the first lesbian kiss on screen in wrestling history. Classic stuff from ECW way before Bischoff tried it with Hot Lesbian Action almost a decade later. Thing is ECW had always been counter culture and in your face. They were syndicated. There was no ratings war for them. It was all about telling compelling stories and having the best action in the ring. There was a lot of love in the locker room of ECW. These people fought and some even died for what they believed in and loved. That's what it's all about.