Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I pre-ordered this book back in April. I've been a fan of SMBC comics for years. It arrived at a great time -- My Great Decisions group just had a discussions on Mexico and Immigration I was expecting a more balanced discussion, but this is pretty much the same tired arguments. It doesn't address the subject to the depth I had hoped, and I didn't read any major point in here that I haven't already heard before. Nor did it really do justice to the counter-arguments. Bryan just sets up a bunch of straw men and knocks them down. That is disappointing in a book of this length, which should have the room to dive deeper into this complex subject and present a little more of both sides. As an example, it didn't really address issues in Europe or the recent history of US legislation on immigration in any detail. Nor much of the history, which is inexcusable since human migration has existed for as long as, well, humans, and there is a rich set of precedents to analyze and learn from. The book would have benefited from a healthy dose of Zach Weinersmith's irreverent cynicism. Without the snark, the graphics just look like a 200+ page Jack Chick tract. The same style that make SMBC so great just produces vaguely creepy brainwashed members of a religious cult in this book. Just check out the cover if you don't believe me. Ol' liberty herself vacantly stares off into the distance with a big goofy smile on her face. And if you think the Jack Chick comparison is a low blow, there is a section where not only does the author ask the question "Who would Jesus deport?", he goes on to have a hypothetical discussion with Cartoon Jesus, who delivers a pro-open-borders sermon. A wide-eyed talking lamb sitting on Cartoon Jesus's lap punctuates the sermon by declaring "Denying foreigners the right to live and work where they like just isn't Christian!" Admittedly, perhaps the low point of the book, but I fear the rest is in much the same earnest, straining manner. So why two stars instead of one? Because I think that this book is disappointing, it may be the start of a healthy debate on immigration, as Bryan and Zach are scheduling talks on this. So if you want to thank Zach for all those great comics, buy this book. Or to prepare for attending one of the talks, which I think will be better than the book. Update: One more thought - For any future author lucky enough to work with Zach on a project, make him your co-author rather than just your artist. Let him call the shots and run with the ball for a bit. The mind who gave us SMBC, BAHfest, and the single-use unlubricated monocle possesses a gift of insight, imagination, and irreverent wit that will contribute immensely to your creative process..