Fresh for '01 . . . You Suckas

It seems like most of these reviews were written by people very familiar with The Boondocks. I bought this book on a whim after seeing McGruder's work in The Broke Diaries by Angela Nissel and a negative "letter to the editor" article about his comic strip.I absolutely love this comic strip now and would have read the "funny pages" a long time ago if I'd known it offered a timely, smart, grown-up alternative to Family Circus. McGruder speaks through youngsters for my generation, raising relevant issues but never losing the humor. No one is safe from his wit; not Puffy nor presidential candidates. Not to mention, the artwork is awesome. I enjoyed the subtle shadings in the comic strip and his silly art in The Broke Diaries. If you're not sure what all the fuss is about or you get your news online like me and haven't touched a paper in years, catch up with this collection. The Boondocks might actually make you start buying the paper again.

I think the greatest compliment that I can give to McGruder is that even when I disagree with what he is saying, I still laugh at his observations. This is the best comic strip of all time because it never goes for sappy "awww" moments. It is devoted to showing McGruder's political beliefs through humor and it works. Some of the best stories in here are Riley joining the NRA, Huey's outrage at the X-Men movie, and Grandpa's census job. Even better than the first. Buy them both.

Aaron McGruder never ceases to amaze me with his eternal wit! He provides comic relief to issues that would normally bring me dangerously close to rage or tears. Issues such as racial/color complexes, politics, and the dire condition that public schools are in. Some of the comics take me back to my college days (although these young gentlemen are in grammar school) when teachers would ask me "So, Harriet...what do BLACK people think about this issue?" (yeah, as if I can answer for millions of African descendants worldwide).At any rate, I commend Mr. McGruder for his boldness through the eyes of Huey, Riley (Esco), and the new character Caesar, giving the neverending shout out to BROOKLYN, BABY! WHAT?! WHAT?! As well as all Chicago heads (my origin) BUK! BUK! BUK! Keep on speaking the truth!

"Fresh for '01, You Suckas" makes a great gift. Forget about the people that complain, "The characters always look so angry," or "This is a racist comic strip...". Aaron McGruder has created the best daily comic since Calvin and Hobbes. Perhaps the most socially aware comic since Doonsbury. Find out what all the fuss is over. See if these characters are causing strains in race relations and "inciting angry black children to riot". Huey and Riley are much more real and amusing than other "steppin' and fetchin'" comic characters. The Grandfather still wonders what's wrong with his boys, Cindy is still obsessed with mainstream black entertainment, and Ceasar is just a rockin' Emcee. Whatever opinion you draw from the Boondocks, it's unlikely that you will ever forget it. FREE JOLLY JENKINS!