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Mr. Lovenstein Presents Failure
Celebrate Failure
Comics for anyone who tried their best. Or didn't. Whatever.
In his (incredibly sweaty) new book, webcomics superstar J. L. Westover offers up painfully hilarious observations and cringeworthy situations, uniting us all through one of life’s most relatable experiences―failure.
All your favorite MR. LOVENSTEIN comics are right here, including brand new book exclusive comics that can’t be found online!
For fans of STRANGE PLANET, ADULTHOOD IS A MYTH: A “SARAH SCRIBBLES” COLLECTION, and DINOSAUR THERAPY!
Comics for anyone who tried their best. Or didn't. Whatever.
In his (incredibly sweaty) new book, webcomics superstar J. L. Westover offers up painfully hilarious observations and cringeworthy situations, uniting us all through one of life’s most relatable experiences―failure.
All your favorite MR. LOVENSTEIN comics are right here, including brand new book exclusive comics that can’t be found online!
For fans of STRANGE PLANET, ADULTHOOD IS A MYTH: A “SARAH SCRIBBLES” COLLECTION, and DINOSAUR THERAPY!
248 pages
First published September 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 15, 2023
God, this book is sweaty. And I like it! It's the exact opposite of one of those books full of heartening, feelgood cartoons. Life is full of failure, and it's healthy to accept this fact, even better - to laugh at it. And I laughed a lot. It's also not necessarily that dark, which you'd might expect. This isn't edgelord humour. It's humour based on humanity's inherent squishiness, both physical and mentally.
Very nice.
(Picked up a review copy through Edelweiss)
December 16, 2022
A gutbuster! I laughed out loud so many times at these twisted toons!
This is me:
This is me:
October 17, 2024
Hilarious!
November 15, 2022
You need this book. I don't care who you are, you need this book. Being able to smile at the things we do that makes no sense is the key to enjoying the life we have.
Does it make sense? No. Is it helpful? Almost never. Is it a part of our personality? Hell yes it is!
Loved, loved, loved this!
Does it make sense? No. Is it helpful? Almost never. Is it a part of our personality? Hell yes it is!
Loved, loved, loved this!
August 28, 2023
I read this because of the Eisners and boy, this is not my humour. I would sum this up as Boomer humour.
November 4, 2022
Some fun but dark web comics about anxiety and the struggle to try. I liked how they had a punchline and then you turned the page for a second punchline. They got better as they went along as well. Soon to be published by Image.
Received an advance copy from Image
Received an advance copy from Image
December 26, 2022
Brilliant.
October 4, 2024
4.25/5
Slightly funnier than Feelings, but just as fun overall!
Slightly funnier than Feelings, but just as fun overall!
October 7, 2022
I was expecting to enjoy this book, but it fell a bit flat for me. There wasn't anything wrong with it, it just wasn't my sense of humour. I can see someone else liking it.
[Free ARC from Edelweiss+]
[Free ARC from Edelweiss+]
November 25, 2022
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)
I've been following @MrLovenstein on twitter and tapas.io for a while, and jumped on the ARC of MR LOVENSTEIN PRESENTS: FAILURE when it came up on Edelweiss. I've been feeling kind of down for the last few months (winter blues, I has 'em), but Mr. Lovenstein never fails to elicit a smile, if not an outright guffaw.
This is a pretty great collection of strips, all organized around the theme of (you guessed it) failure: procrastination, social awkwardness, the perils of trying to connect with others online and irl, swimming with sharks, and adulting in general, to name a few. There's so much I relate to it's not even funny (except when it is).
While superfans will no doubt recognize many of the strips from twitter or elsewhere, the book does contain eight never-seen-before bonus, book exclusive comics, and some of the strips are accompanied by their tapas-only "secret panels," which is pretty chill.
I've been following @MrLovenstein on twitter and tapas.io for a while, and jumped on the ARC of MR LOVENSTEIN PRESENTS: FAILURE when it came up on Edelweiss. I've been feeling kind of down for the last few months (winter blues, I has 'em), but Mr. Lovenstein never fails to elicit a smile, if not an outright guffaw.
This is a pretty great collection of strips, all organized around the theme of (you guessed it) failure: procrastination, social awkwardness, the perils of trying to connect with others online and irl, swimming with sharks, and adulting in general, to name a few. There's so much I relate to it's not even funny (except when it is).
While superfans will no doubt recognize many of the strips from twitter or elsewhere, the book does contain eight never-seen-before bonus, book exclusive comics, and some of the strips are accompanied by their tapas-only "secret panels," which is pretty chill.
June 7, 2022
Some days I wish I was Gabe.
February 10, 2022
Really relatable humor to someone with a lot of anxiety and self esteem issues.
March 8, 2022
Omg so dark, so true.
March 20, 2022
Very funny, happy to have this in the collection
March 26, 2022
Beautiful little gem. Funny sketches, with an extra of special guest’s sketches, and a roll of Kickstarter backers’ names in the end, for a special thank you. I should have paid that extra dollar… 😞
Want to read
September 2, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
September 3, 2022
A funny collection of cartoons from a cartoonist I follow on instagram. Think Cyanide and Happiness with more color. Wish there had been more to it.
May 19, 2023
FUCKING. AMAZING.
Seen most of the stuff before, but still giggled and laughed like mental through the whole book.
Existence is suffering. And suffering is funny.
Seen most of the stuff before, but still giggled and laughed like mental through the whole book.
Existence is suffering. And suffering is funny.
July 17, 2023
It started promising, with a Lobster Is the Best Medicine: A Collection of Comics About Friendship vibe. For example, this semi-relatable dialog between a squirrel and koala:
"I failed."
"Well, at least you tried your best."
"I didn't."
"Well, there's always next time."
"Nah, I'm good."
As much as I enjoy oddball comic strips with cute yet ridiculous characters, this one was vulgar and nasty. A quick yet depressing read, short on actual humor.
"I failed."
"Well, at least you tried your best."
"I didn't."
"Well, there's always next time."
"Nah, I'm good."
As much as I enjoy oddball comic strips with cute yet ridiculous characters, this one was vulgar and nasty. A quick yet depressing read, short on actual humor.
May 31, 2023
2023 Eisner Award finalist - Best Humor Publication
Failure is an everyday part of life, and if we can't laugh at it, we'll go insane. J.L. Westover succeeds in making failure funny. These strips, mostly previously published on Westover's web page, are fast reading, but contain insights into the human condition. Westover uses a technique whereby there is one punchline, then a second punchline on the following page. Some of the strips get pretty dark, but are still funny. The artwork is simple, but effective. I laughed a lot while reading this book.
Failure is an everyday part of life, and if we can't laugh at it, we'll go insane. J.L. Westover succeeds in making failure funny. These strips, mostly previously published on Westover's web page, are fast reading, but contain insights into the human condition. Westover uses a technique whereby there is one punchline, then a second punchline on the following page. Some of the strips get pretty dark, but are still funny. The artwork is simple, but effective. I laughed a lot while reading this book.
August 29, 2023
Knižní výběr z internetového komiksu Mr. Lovenstein, který se nejčastěji zaměřuje na obyčejné lidské strachy a úzkosti, ale pojímá to velmi vtipně. Komiks je často na hraně, málokdy ji ovšem překročí, většinou si vystačí s tím, že rozehraje nějakou bizarní situaci a dovede ji k logickému vyústění. Od konkurence se liší jednak nevídaně konzistentní úrovní, jednak "tajnými" bonusovými panely, které hlavní děj posunou do absurdna.
Můžu jen doporučit a jako autorův "skorokolega" smekám a tiše závidím.
Můžu jen doporučit a jako autorův "skorokolega" smekám a tiše závidím.
April 18, 2023
J.L. describes his humor as "sad and pathetic, but in a funny way"; and I, indeed, chuckled a couple times while reading this compilation.
And, of course, it's relatable as heck. And if it really isn't for you (because you think you are perfect; but then probably you are thinking of telling it does apply to you, so you are not seen as the arrogant jerk you are), I'm sure you know someone else you'll see reflected there.
Failure never has been more uplifting... or whatever.
And, of course, it's relatable as heck. And if it really isn't for you (because you think you are perfect; but then probably you are thinking of telling it does apply to you, so you are not seen as the arrogant jerk you are), I'm sure you know someone else you'll see reflected there.
Failure never has been more uplifting... or whatever.
November 28, 2022
I generally enjoy reading Mr. Lovenstein comics online, but this was my firs time sitting down for a full book of them. They were fun, but the theme of failure made the book a bit of a downer. Still funny, although not my favorite read.
January 5, 2023
Hilarious! Probs one of my favourites for simple panel jokes. It ranges from 'wtf' turns to expected punchlines, and all are at least amusing if not hilarious. The art is simplistic and utterly charming, conveying exactly what it needs to. An all round perfect comedy book.
January 10, 2023
J. L. Westover's Mr. Lovenstein Presents Failure collects some of the writer/illustrator's funniest 4 panels into 1 book.
WoW (Word of Warning): Westover's ideas flow from the deep, deep recesses of his mind, from whence he mines many wacky wonders.
Highly recommended!
WoW (Word of Warning): Westover's ideas flow from the deep, deep recesses of his mind, from whence he mines many wacky wonders.
Highly recommended!
November 3, 2023
Easy and enjoyable read. Some sweet and funny comics, some I wouldn't want a little kid to see. So, you know, a good mix of humor. ;)
A lot of the extra panels were really hilarious & added an extra depth to the reveal of the joke. Like an extra deep joke layer. -Well done!
A lot of the extra panels were really hilarious & added an extra depth to the reveal of the joke. Like an extra deep joke layer. -Well done!
February 27, 2024
Ohhh my God noooooo this book is too real! Everything in it. It’s me. I’m going to curl into a ball now and give up 🥲
At least it’s reassuring that this seems to be the human condition and there are others out there and in this review section that are like me. Hello 👋
At least it’s reassuring that this seems to be the human condition and there are others out there and in this review section that are like me. Hello 👋
November 20, 2022
Hilarious, read it
December 3, 2022
A treat for all anxious and self-doubting people like mysel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews