The Big Book of Urban Legends: 200 True Stories, Too Good to Be True!

I've had this book for years and years, and it's dog-eared and stained from being read so many times. I can't count the number of times some gullible sucker has tried to pass off some urban legend as the truth; I just pull out this book and prove them wrong. Unlike the popular urban legend website Snopes, this book makes no attempt to prove or disprove the legends, but just presents them in black-and-white comic form, drawn by many different artists in many different styles - some realistic, some cartoonish; some with dialogue and some without; some graphic in their depictions and some subtle. The variety is excellent and makes each new page a discovery. This is a book I will enjoy for many years to come. I only wish there was a second volume, because there are more than enough urban legends out there to create one.

I can't say enough about this book! This was the first Big Book by Paradox Press, and I loved the series ever since! I thought the idea of bringing so many artists together was a great idea. Once I got it, I had to have 'em all. And you will too.

If you love urban legends and comic books you will love this book. Everyone I have given it to loves it and everytime I buy it for myself it gets "borrowed" and I have to buy another copy. It is perfect for reading with friends, the one-page stories are great for starting conversations. I also loved the comic book format showcasing different illustrators.

A babysitter realizes that threatening calls have been coming from inside the house. A roomate comes home in the dark and in the morning finds her roommate dead and the words "Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?" written on the wall. A girl dared to sit on a grave marks the spot with a knife, gets pinned there, and dies of fear. We've heard them all, they are a part of our culture, our history, and we swear they're true. "That happened to my cousin's best friend's neighbor's aunt, it was in the papers and everything!" Urban legends can be a lot of fun and this book captures the spirit of that! Each of the 200 stories is illustrated in comic strip style by different artists and each captures the humor (and sometimes horror) of these well-known tales. Think you've heard 'em all? Check out this excellent book and find yourself saying "oh yeah...I remember hearing that! But it really happened!" You'll also hear a few new ones along the way. A great rainy day book, coffee table addition, or means to survive a boring day. Like to read about urban legends? You'll love this book! I did!

Did I ever tell you about what happened to my cousin's college roommate's best friend? No? Well ... Who out there can honestly say he's never fallen for an urban legend, told as true by some acquaintance? The maniac in the back seat? The Mexican pet? The doped-up babysitter who microwaved the baby? The spider in the hairdo? We've all been the victims of these stories at some point in our lives. People pass them around at cocktail parties and office water coolers, always claiming that they really happened to a friend of a friend (but never able to offer a name of the unfortunate victim). And Jan Harold Brunvand is the master collector and debunker of the stories. Paradox Press wisely got Brunvand to write its mega-comic, "The Big Book of Urban Legends." Even for UL aficionadoes, there are a few new ones here. And the irreverent comic format is perfect for these just-plausible-enough modern tall tales. It's also a great way to introduce friends to ULs (or to disprove the stories your friends try to pass off as true).