The Licensable BearTM Big Book of Officially Licensed Fun! - Softcover

Nat Gertler is the two-time Eisner-nominated comics writer, editor, and publisher. He is the co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel, the founder of 24 Hour Comics Day, and a former member of the comedy troupe Doorways To Lint.

Grade 10 Up—This collection of comics is sometimes darkly humorous and sometimes downright sad. Licensable Bearā„¢ is an adorable but Machiavellian character who is obsessed with marketing himself. Sometimes that works out well, as when he goes to Japan and his innate cuteness has him rolling in yen without even saying a word. Other times, people learn that those big dark eyes are empty indeed, and they instinctively shy away from him. The bear doesn't think twice about inviting reporters to a ribbon-cutting ceremony that serves no purpose, or putting his name on shoddy products, or even taking Santa Claus to court. While several of the story lines are engaging, the most memorable story arc involves Marketable Moose. When Licensable Bearā„¢ sees him at a convention and notices that his antler is falling off, he discovers that Marketable Moose is the latest incarnation of another marketing icon that has fallen from grace. The artistic style varies throughout this book from computer graphics to hand-drawn images, depending on the artist. The tone also changes from story to story; while some selections are moving and profound, others are witty and/or intellectually stimulating, as Licensable Bearā„¢ takes on topics like trademarks and brand recognition.—Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library
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