Screw Heaven, When I Die I'm Going to Mars

by Shannon Wheeler

For longer than a decade Shannon Wheeler's flagship character Too Much Coffee Man has cast his tender, cynical gaze on lots of stuff that deserves to be made fun of, from the insipidity of coffee... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 159307820X
• ISBN13: 9781593078201
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
• Length: 141 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.1" x 7.5"

Customer Reviews

Laughing at Ourselves

Rationalization and self-delusion help us avoid embarrassing truths about ourselves, enable us to fake ourselves out as we all live through everyday dramas that seem terribly important at the time. Wheeler goes straight for the jugular, skewering himself and ourselves, as he targets our dark secrets, revealing them to be the human condition rather than as the unmentionable neuroses we imagine them to be. I found myself laughing on every page, laughing at the author and laughing at myself as I realized, "It's not just me, but even better, it's FUNNY!"

Another great book from a great cartoonist

Actually, this is probably my favorite Shannon Wheeler book. Insightful, cutting, charming and as funny as anything else out there. Well worth it.

The evolution of an artist and his work

In the two decades that Shannon Wheeler has been publishing comics, he's always been able to put his finger on the pulse of the world surrounding him and his audience. From the snarky Children with Glue to shining a light on the underbelly of the counter culture movement with Too Much Coffee Man to the politically astute work of How To Be Happy, Shannon's evolution as an artist and an American Zeitgeistian prophet continues in Screw Heaven. Artistically, he's moved towards a simpler, yet more expressive style, while the dialog and character interaction has become significantly more nuanced and well crafted. This volume graces both the coffee table and deserves a spot on the shelves of anyone who is a serious comics collector.

I hope Mars is as good as the book...

Shannon Wheeler started in comics by self publishing his very own "minicomics" (comic book that were photocopied and then stapled by hand) starring a superhero in a red suit with a coffee cup hat (helmet?) called Too Much Coffee Man. That was back in a different century, y'know last decade. Since then, the cartoonist has turned his minicomics into full fledged comic books and magazines and even an opera. Through it all, he has matured as an artist and writer to produce his best collection in Screw Heaven, When I Die I'm Going to Mars, a book that ranges in topic from relationships to visual humor, from social commentary to autobiography. Wheeler's history of changing formats has only strengthened his abilities as an artist and writer. He has developed a simplicity of design and storytelling in the strips collected here. He condenses each strip to the barest elements of character, background and comedy. This might disappoint some detail oriented readers, but it shouldn't. It makes for a fun, breezy read. The humor comes quickly and sharply but is broad enough for everyone to enjoy it.

The Best Yet!

Having followed Mr. Wheeler's career since his early collection Children With Glue, I had high hopes for this collection. And I must say it has surpassed all my hopes. I am loving this one. And would say that it is his best yet. Which given how great all collections of his work are - is high praise.