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Betty Boop #1-4
Betty Boop
The most famous female cartoon star of all is back! All-new adventures of Betty Boop (with her pals Koko the Clown and Bimbo, natch!) by award-winning writer Roger Langridge and Gisele Lagace. Join Betty as she works at the Oop-A-Doop Club, dreams of hitting the big-time, looks after her old Grampy, fights ghosts and giant bugs, dances to hot jazz, and much more!
Reviews:
"Insanely entertaining." - ComicWow!
"Lagace's art is amazing. Her characters emote in ways I didn't think two-dimensional cartoons could." - Court of Nerds
"I immediately fell in love with the visual style." - Comic Spectrum
Reviews:
"Insanely entertaining." - ComicWow!
"Lagace's art is amazing. Her characters emote in ways I didn't think two-dimensional cartoons could." - Court of Nerds
"I immediately fell in love with the visual style." - Comic Spectrum
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 23, 2017
About the author
Roger Langridge
281 books58 followersRoger Langridge has been producing comics for over twenty years. Most recently, he has attracted critical attention for his work on the Harvey Award-winning Muppet Show Comic Book (Boom! Studios) and Thor: The Mighty Avenger (Marvel Comics); other works of note include Marvel's Fin Fang Four, Fantagraphics' Zoot! and Art d'Ecco (in collaboration with his brother Andrew), and the NCS, Ignatz, Eisner and Harvey Award-nominated comic book Fred the Clown. He currently lives in London with his wife Sylvie, their two children and a box of his own hair.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 31, 2022
Delightful. Betty Boop, a cartoon caricature of a Jazz Age flapper, was a big hit for Fleischer Studios in the 1930s. She appeared in about 90 animated shorts from 1930 to 1939. Immensely popular in the 30s and considered iconic now, her impact to pop culture is considerable. I absolutely adore these cartoon shorts and find them a charming time capsule with a character who although is very sexy, fights off sexual harassment at every turn. I would argue Betty Boop is a light-hearted feminist for her age.
Much of the post-1930s attempts to revive this saucy character only mildly caught and kept my attention. However, these four individual comics collected here in this one trade edition is the best revival I have come across. Simply cute and charming for all ages. The time period takes place in the 30s with all of Betty’s supporting characters in attendance. You can hear the scatting Jazz music throughout the text along with the “hi de hi de” slang from the period. Although this revival is grounded in the roots & origins of the character, the book is colorised for modern sensibilities. (Which is lovely by the way). The stories feel fresh, revitalised, modern and entertaining for a 21st century reader.
Recommended for All Ages, Betty Boop fans, and anyone who enjoys humorous light-hearted comics.
Much of the post-1930s attempts to revive this saucy character only mildly caught and kept my attention. However, these four individual comics collected here in this one trade edition is the best revival I have come across. Simply cute and charming for all ages. The time period takes place in the 30s with all of Betty’s supporting characters in attendance. You can hear the scatting Jazz music throughout the text along with the “hi de hi de” slang from the period. Although this revival is grounded in the roots & origins of the character, the book is colorised for modern sensibilities. (Which is lovely by the way). The stories feel fresh, revitalised, modern and entertaining for a 21st century reader.
Recommended for All Ages, Betty Boop fans, and anyone who enjoys humorous light-hearted comics.
June 28, 2017
This is a lot of fun! When I'd finished reading I just had to go watch some old cartoons! The art is dynamic bringing together a mix of old and new styles making Betty really shine. There is a real '30s feel with language and slang from the day. Betty Boop fans will rejoice! Each issue is an individual story and yet together they makeup one story with the bad guy getting his at the end. Lots of fun and I want more!
May 4, 2017
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 5.0 of 5
While I am familiar with the character of Betty Boop and I've seen pictures of some of the other characters I don't recall ever having watched a Betty Boop film, read a Betty Boop comic strip, or listened to the Betty Boop radio show, though I'm not sure why, given my penchant for nostalgia and the jazz age. But when I saw this graphic novel available I was eager to read it. And I'm so glad I did.
Author Roger Langridge and artist Gisèle Lagacé have pulled off a remarkable feat - they have captured an iconic cartoon character from the 1930's, kept the 30's motif, along with the supernatural and otherwise bizarre elements of the early stories and still managed to make them interesting and enjoyable for the modern reader. I absolutely loved what I found here.
Each comic issue (there are four included in this graphic novel) is a self-contained story and that story is generally pretty simple. There are some ghosts/demons looking to take over Grandpa Boop's house. Each story has the demons trying a new tactic and that tactic works, if only for a little while, until Betty or one of her friends is able to sort it out and restore order.
It's the jazz age and you can almost hear the music the way Langridge and Lagacé have put this together and recreate the songs. The leader of the band is Skat Skellington - a dashing, tux-wearing skeleton who floats over the stage with his spine draping down like a serpent's tail. Everyone loves Betty, but Skat's the cat who plays like there's no tomorrow.
Each of the characters seems to have a role to play and aren't just there to be filler, and with the stories as simple as they are it's impressive that these characters get a chance to show the reader (and Betty) what they're really like.
The art is just amazing. I really am impressed with the blending of the 1930's style while making it artistically relevant to the modern reader. Although Betty Boop was a black and white cartoon, there is color here in the graphic novel, but it's subtle and muted and it still feels like that old black and white cartoon.
Am I gushing over this graphic novel? Yes I am. I actually liked that I could read something that wasn't a deep, involved story. This was entertainment with a fun-creepy aura (a skeleton band? a clown for a friend? demons trying to take over the house?) and a little bit of adult humor to titillate ("You didn't tell him you could suck a pineapple completely hollow, did you?")
I want to read all the rest of the Betty Boop graphic novels (and I hope they keep putting them out) and I want to go back and watch all the old cartoons. This was just so much fun.
Looking for a good book? Betty Boop is a graphic novel by Roger Langridge and Gisèle Lagacé that perfectly captures the feel of the 1930's iconic comic and entertains a modern reader. It is highly recommended.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
While I am familiar with the character of Betty Boop and I've seen pictures of some of the other characters I don't recall ever having watched a Betty Boop film, read a Betty Boop comic strip, or listened to the Betty Boop radio show, though I'm not sure why, given my penchant for nostalgia and the jazz age. But when I saw this graphic novel available I was eager to read it. And I'm so glad I did.
Author Roger Langridge and artist Gisèle Lagacé have pulled off a remarkable feat - they have captured an iconic cartoon character from the 1930's, kept the 30's motif, along with the supernatural and otherwise bizarre elements of the early stories and still managed to make them interesting and enjoyable for the modern reader. I absolutely loved what I found here.
Each comic issue (there are four included in this graphic novel) is a self-contained story and that story is generally pretty simple. There are some ghosts/demons looking to take over Grandpa Boop's house. Each story has the demons trying a new tactic and that tactic works, if only for a little while, until Betty or one of her friends is able to sort it out and restore order.
It's the jazz age and you can almost hear the music the way Langridge and Lagacé have put this together and recreate the songs. The leader of the band is Skat Skellington - a dashing, tux-wearing skeleton who floats over the stage with his spine draping down like a serpent's tail. Everyone loves Betty, but Skat's the cat who plays like there's no tomorrow.
Each of the characters seems to have a role to play and aren't just there to be filler, and with the stories as simple as they are it's impressive that these characters get a chance to show the reader (and Betty) what they're really like.
The art is just amazing. I really am impressed with the blending of the 1930's style while making it artistically relevant to the modern reader. Although Betty Boop was a black and white cartoon, there is color here in the graphic novel, but it's subtle and muted and it still feels like that old black and white cartoon.
Am I gushing over this graphic novel? Yes I am. I actually liked that I could read something that wasn't a deep, involved story. This was entertainment with a fun-creepy aura (a skeleton band? a clown for a friend? demons trying to take over the house?) and a little bit of adult humor to titillate ("You didn't tell him you could suck a pineapple completely hollow, did you?")
I want to read all the rest of the Betty Boop graphic novels (and I hope they keep putting them out) and I want to go back and watch all the old cartoons. This was just so much fun.
Looking for a good book? Betty Boop is a graphic novel by Roger Langridge and Gisèle Lagacé that perfectly captures the feel of the 1930's iconic comic and entertains a modern reader. It is highly recommended.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2017
'Betty Boop' is a graphic novel by Roger Landridge with art by Gisèle Lagacé. It includes 4 individual issues, but they tell one larger story. I loved the art and feel of this story.
Betty Boop works at the Oop-A-Doop Club. She wants to work on stage, but she's stuck waiting on tables while Scat Skellington and his band of skeletons work the crowd. Her boss Mister Finkle is miserly, but she's got friends in the club like Koko the Clown and Bimbo. She lives with Grampy, who is also an inventor. A group of ghosts wants to chase Grampy and Betty out of their house, but Betty is not about to let them. She even gets a chance to have a musical number here and there.
The art is fabulous and looks like old animation. The color is even a more muted shade than normal which adds to the mood. I really liked the stories. Since we can't hear the singing, bad singing is done with bad rhyming, which I thought was pretty clever. This is an appropriate graphic novel for all ages.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dynamite Entertainment, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Betty Boop works at the Oop-A-Doop Club. She wants to work on stage, but she's stuck waiting on tables while Scat Skellington and his band of skeletons work the crowd. Her boss Mister Finkle is miserly, but she's got friends in the club like Koko the Clown and Bimbo. She lives with Grampy, who is also an inventor. A group of ghosts wants to chase Grampy and Betty out of their house, but Betty is not about to let them. She even gets a chance to have a musical number here and there.
The art is fabulous and looks like old animation. The color is even a more muted shade than normal which adds to the mood. I really liked the stories. Since we can't hear the singing, bad singing is done with bad rhyming, which I thought was pretty clever. This is an appropriate graphic novel for all ages.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dynamite Entertainment, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
June 26, 2021
If Roger Langridge has a unique specialty, it's his ability to capture songs in comics. This book is as much lyrics as plot, and some of them manage to jump off the page into the ear, despite there being no real way to translate a song from the page to the ear. He manages to do so anyway; something I remember from his Muppet Show comics as well, and it's a unique ability.
I'm not super familiar with Betty Boop as a character, but Langridge has taken the basics and thrown them into a story that builds off of her devotion to family and friends, and an almost naïve approach to the impact her looks have on the men around her. Langridge sidesteps a lot of the cheesecake baggage the character carries and builds her out as a deeper character instead, as she and her friends continually outsmart a band of ghosts who are set on ... sacrificing her to the devil? As dark as that sounds, it is played much more lightly and the story balances between innocence and corruption in a way that is fairly unique. The art is interesting, as Boop looks very different from the other characters in the story, but still manages to inhabit the same world believably. The whole cast is full of distinctive characters, and the story is mostly fun and silly. It's a strange dichotomy that really shouldn't work, but somehow does. It's not essential reading by any stretch of the imagination, but Langridge does pull of something unique here, and for his fans it may be worth seeking out.
I'm not super familiar with Betty Boop as a character, but Langridge has taken the basics and thrown them into a story that builds off of her devotion to family and friends, and an almost naïve approach to the impact her looks have on the men around her. Langridge sidesteps a lot of the cheesecake baggage the character carries and builds her out as a deeper character instead, as she and her friends continually outsmart a band of ghosts who are set on ... sacrificing her to the devil? As dark as that sounds, it is played much more lightly and the story balances between innocence and corruption in a way that is fairly unique. The art is interesting, as Boop looks very different from the other characters in the story, but still manages to inhabit the same world believably. The whole cast is full of distinctive characters, and the story is mostly fun and silly. It's a strange dichotomy that really shouldn't work, but somehow does. It's not essential reading by any stretch of the imagination, but Langridge does pull of something unique here, and for his fans it may be worth seeking out.
September 25, 2017
Previously, my entire exposure to Betty Boop was her bit in Roger Rabbit, although, like Star Wars and pop music, Betty Boop as a cultural-concept has long buried its way into my subconscious. Plus, like me, she has a middle part (in her hair), so I feel we should stick together (although my middle-part is a lot more Joey on Dawson's Creek than Betty Boop). I'm also somewhat concerned, as I am with Wonder Woman, as to the state of Betty Boop's back due to her mammary endowments. That and she's apparently sixteen. I don't really know if this:
[image error]
is a good look for a sixteen year old. I mean, the Jazz Inspector, who is clearly an adult (and who calls the Jazz Police!), is hitting on her in a way that a grown man should not be hitting on a sixteen year old. Thankfully for all her questionably appropriate attire, Langridge's Betty Boop never uses her sexuality as a performance: she's a waitress who wants to be a singer and she just so happens to look like Betty Boop.
How much boob tape (Boop tape?) do you think someone needs to keep that dress up? My enquiring mind wants to know.
So this book is a collection of four Betty Boop comics, in which the Devil sends a lizard to try and steal Gramps' house so that the Devil can claim Betty Boop's innocent soul for his own and ... well, it doesn't work obviously (I guess that's a spoiler, but this isn't some gritty reboot of Betty Boop where Gramps is a junkie and she's been sold into sex slavery or anything like that). It's seems rather convoluted a premise, but maybe the old Betty Boop cartoons (again -- all I know is this) are as wacky and convoluted. The whole thing read like watching a cartoon -- when I think back to last night (when I read it before going to bed), it isn't as if I read a book, but as if I watched cartoons. I like cartoons. And for all its silly twistiness, I liked this Betty Boop comic collection too.
Betty Boop by Robert Langridge went on sale May 16, 2017.
I received a copy free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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is a good look for a sixteen year old. I mean, the Jazz Inspector, who is clearly an adult (and who calls the Jazz Police!), is hitting on her in a way that a grown man should not be hitting on a sixteen year old. Thankfully for all her questionably appropriate attire, Langridge's Betty Boop never uses her sexuality as a performance: she's a waitress who wants to be a singer and she just so happens to look like Betty Boop.
How much boob tape (Boop tape?) do you think someone needs to keep that dress up? My enquiring mind wants to know.
So this book is a collection of four Betty Boop comics, in which the Devil sends a lizard to try and steal Gramps' house so that the Devil can claim Betty Boop's innocent soul for his own and ... well, it doesn't work obviously (I guess that's a spoiler, but this isn't some gritty reboot of Betty Boop where Gramps is a junkie and she's been sold into sex slavery or anything like that). It's seems rather convoluted a premise, but maybe the old Betty Boop cartoons (again -- all I know is this) are as wacky and convoluted. The whole thing read like watching a cartoon -- when I think back to last night (when I read it before going to bed), it isn't as if I read a book, but as if I watched cartoons. I like cartoons. And for all its silly twistiness, I liked this Betty Boop comic collection too.
Betty Boop by Robert Langridge went on sale May 16, 2017.
I received a copy free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2017
Betty Boop works as a waitress at the Oop-A-Doop club. Sometimes she sings, despite complaints from her boss about not doing her proper job. She lives with her grandfather, who they call Grampy. Grampy is very gullible. A creature named Lenny Lizardlips wants to get Grampy's house. He sends his henchmen to Grampy's house, and each time Grampy signs the house over to them, believing their story of why they need the house. Betty has to rush home from work every time to save their home from Lenny Lizardlips. Her friends Bimbo, Sandy, and Koko help her out too.
This is the first Betty Boop story I've read. I was familiar with most of the characters from their appearances in other places in pop culture.
This story was very entertaining. Many of the characters sing throughout the comics, such as Betty, Skat Skellington (the club singer), and Lenny Lizardlips. They sang songs about what was happening to them in the moment.
I liked how each comic had the same general outline, with Grampy selling their house and Betty having to go to his rescue. However, the last comic had a great twist at the end that I didn't see coming!
I enjoyed this graphic novel, and I look forward to reading more Betty Boop comics in the future.
This is the first Betty Boop story I've read. I was familiar with most of the characters from their appearances in other places in pop culture.
This story was very entertaining. Many of the characters sing throughout the comics, such as Betty, Skat Skellington (the club singer), and Lenny Lizardlips. They sang songs about what was happening to them in the moment.
I liked how each comic had the same general outline, with Grampy selling their house and Betty having to go to his rescue. However, the last comic had a great twist at the end that I didn't see coming!
I enjoyed this graphic novel, and I look forward to reading more Betty Boop comics in the future.
May 23, 2017
Betty Boop from Roger Langridge and Gisele Lagace is a wonderful mix of nostalgia and superb contemporary comic art. The story is fun and meant to entertain rather than either scare or get too complicated. There is plenty of room in the realm of graphic novels for both the dark complex tales and the lighter more fun stories.
I found the story to be similar enough to some of the old Betty Boop stories to be nostalgic. The "bad guys" and monsters are not particularly scary or intimidating but neither were they meant to be. They have a role to play and they play it well. The drawings are wonderful, so reminiscent of the early days of both print and cinematic comics. Yet in neither case, the writing or the drawings, are Langridge and Lagace simply mimicking, they have indeed created a nostalgic look and feel while making Betty Boop new again.
I am glad this was not a modernization of Betty Boop, she absolutely belongs to her time period. I think any attempt to try to make her a 21st century woman would have been a mistake and, I think, not possible to do. Her brand of innocence does not play well in a contemporary setting.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I found the story to be similar enough to some of the old Betty Boop stories to be nostalgic. The "bad guys" and monsters are not particularly scary or intimidating but neither were they meant to be. They have a role to play and they play it well. The drawings are wonderful, so reminiscent of the early days of both print and cinematic comics. Yet in neither case, the writing or the drawings, are Langridge and Lagace simply mimicking, they have indeed created a nostalgic look and feel while making Betty Boop new again.
I am glad this was not a modernization of Betty Boop, she absolutely belongs to her time period. I think any attempt to try to make her a 21st century woman would have been a mistake and, I think, not possible to do. Her brand of innocence does not play well in a contemporary setting.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 21, 2020
I got this on a whim out of a bargain bin and I was pleasantly surprised. I've only seen a handful of Betty Boop cartoons in my life so I'm not well versed in the character or the supporting cast. What initially caught my eye is the cover art by Howard Chaykin, and thumbing through before purchasing the interior art by Gisele Lagace.
Although the writing/dialogue felt more British than it did flapper-era America, it wasn't a distraction. The cast of characters were charming and you could tell who the bad guys were.
It's rated Teen + humor and there's really only one line about sucking a pineapple that seemed a little risque but was humorous nonetheless. I hope these creators do some more with these characters in the future.
Although the writing/dialogue felt more British than it did flapper-era America, it wasn't a distraction. The cast of characters were charming and you could tell who the bad guys were.
It's rated Teen + humor and there's really only one line about sucking a pineapple that seemed a little risque but was humorous nonetheless. I hope these creators do some more with these characters in the future.
December 6, 2019
Take a classic american cartoon and turn it into some wee a boo, deviant art, fanfiction nightmare
I can't decide what is worst, the gruesomely stretched out figures or the contrive, go no where story.
Indeed, whenever I watched a Fleischer cartoon, one of the grandfathers of animation, an inventor of several animation patents that revolutionized the animation industry. Never did I think, boy, wouldn't it be great if betty boop and bostco became the bastard children of americanized anime and slenderman.
But here we are and it is as terrible as it possibly could be. In no way could anyone have done a worse job at representing both the style and spirit of the original characters.
I can't decide what is worst, the gruesomely stretched out figures or the contrive, go no where story.
Indeed, whenever I watched a Fleischer cartoon, one of the grandfathers of animation, an inventor of several animation patents that revolutionized the animation industry. Never did I think, boy, wouldn't it be great if betty boop and bostco became the bastard children of americanized anime and slenderman.
But here we are and it is as terrible as it possibly could be. In no way could anyone have done a worse job at representing both the style and spirit of the original characters.
August 21, 2017
Encajar a la mítica flapper en un contexto distinto al que la engendró es una tarea que anima a pocos. Tras las etapas de Mort Walker y First, Roger Langridge utiliza su experiencia en la aclamada Fred the Clown en un intento breve -apenas cuatro números- del que sin embargo sale airoso, conjugando música, encanto y el rescate del elenco clásico en historias con sabor a vieja escuela. Para entusiastas del personaje.
May 16, 2017
Beep Boop by Roger Langridge.
The most famous female cartoon star of all is back! All-new adventures of Betty Boop (with her pals Koko the Clown and Bimbo, natch!) by award-winning writer Roger Langridge and Gisele Lagace. Join Betty as she works at the Oop-A-Doop Club, dreams of hitting the big-time, looks after her old Grampy, fights ghosts and giant bugs, dances to hot jazz, and much more! Reviews: "Insanely entertaining." - ComicWow! "Lagace's art is amazing. Her characters emote in ways I didn't think two-dimensional cartoons could." - Court of Nerds "I immediately fell in love with the visual style." - Comic Spectrum
Fantastic read. I used to watch betty boop on TV when I was a little girl. 5*. Netgalley and diamond book distributors.
The most famous female cartoon star of all is back! All-new adventures of Betty Boop (with her pals Koko the Clown and Bimbo, natch!) by award-winning writer Roger Langridge and Gisele Lagace. Join Betty as she works at the Oop-A-Doop Club, dreams of hitting the big-time, looks after her old Grampy, fights ghosts and giant bugs, dances to hot jazz, and much more! Reviews: "Insanely entertaining." - ComicWow! "Lagace's art is amazing. Her characters emote in ways I didn't think two-dimensional cartoons could." - Court of Nerds "I immediately fell in love with the visual style." - Comic Spectrum
Fantastic read. I used to watch betty boop on TV when I was a little girl. 5*. Netgalley and diamond book distributors.
May 23, 2017
I'm not that familiar with Betty Boop besides the basics of the character. However, Roger Langridge and Gisele Lagace have definitely captured the spirit of the era. The book is fun, gorgeous to look at, and something of an acid trip.
Received an advance copy from Dynamite and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from Dynamite and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2017
While this captures the feel and look of the Betty Boop cartoons I was hoping for some episodic comic silliness. There is silliness to be sure, but there is an overarching story regarding ghosts that got repetitive very quickly considering there are only 4 issues contained in this volume. What was here was good, but I was hoping for more.
April 23, 2024
I love Betty Boop. just a silly lil gal, who looks sexy but she's actually sweet and wholesome on the inside. and I feel that these comics really managed to get that feeling across, as she goes through adventures trying to protect her house and grandad from ghosts and other nefarious creatures.
it makes me want a reboot of cute singing betty boop and all her friends. also loved the art style
it makes me want a reboot of cute singing betty boop and all her friends. also loved the art style
May 12, 2017
I love Betty boop so I had to read this. I am interested in reading more
March 30, 2017
I've always loved Betty Boop, so I was excited to discover there was a comic book series released recently, despite never being into comic books...that may change!
This new story is beautifully illustrated, honoring the original Max Fleisher cartoons. Betty is still sassy as ever, and the story is funny and a fun adventure.
In this first adventure, Betty's Grampy, an inventor, has been falsly evicted from his home, and a new tenant has moved in, with nefarious intentions. Betty must fight to get Grampy's home back, but first, Grampy needs to remember where he hid the spare key (& to change his stinky socks more often). Will Betty's boop-oop-a-doop be enough to defeat the bad guys and save the day?
...well, what are you waiting for?! Go read it! :)
This new story is beautifully illustrated, honoring the original Max Fleisher cartoons. Betty is still sassy as ever, and the story is funny and a fun adventure.
In this first adventure, Betty's Grampy, an inventor, has been falsly evicted from his home, and a new tenant has moved in, with nefarious intentions. Betty must fight to get Grampy's home back, but first, Grampy needs to remember where he hid the spare key (& to change his stinky socks more often). Will Betty's boop-oop-a-doop be enough to defeat the bad guys and save the day?
...well, what are you waiting for?! Go read it! :)
February 11, 2018
Enter The Lizards
PLOT: Betty Boop is late for the opening at Club OOP A DOOP. Her boss Mr. Finkle is ticked, but her friends take up for her and tell him she'll be there. She shows up and gives a gives a spontaneous performance to the delight of her friends. But annoyance of her boss. Meanwhile, her Grampy is back at home working on a new invention when he has unexpected visitor's that claim he hasn't paid his house bill and straight kicks him out the house. Back at the club, it's now jumping because Scat Skellington (any relation to Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas I wonder) is bringing down the house! The drinks are flowing! The floor is packed! But Betty doesn't get a chance to enjoy it long because she gets a call from Grampy and she rushes right over to help him kick out the intruders. The leader is called Mr. Lizard and apparently has a thing for a spirit.
MY THOUGHTS: Wow! I had NO IDEA! I've always loved Betty Boop! This lady's fashion sense is (to use a modern term) ON FLECK! The first introduction I got to this character was when I was in Orlando at one of the theme parks and came across a book called The Hollywood Chronicles of Betty Boop (which I bought) and thus begin my love for Betty Boop. It was this very book I was trying to find online to re-read and review that lead me to this modern day comic (and to my delight others). I even had a calendar that even after its use had expired, I tore the pictures out and hung them on my wall because she was just so stylish. While the absolute stunning of her fashion wasn't displayed here, I really liked this all the same. I LOVED the artwork! I loved it for the nostalgia for the characters and the memories it brought back. (Although I only recognized 2 here, Betty and Grampy)! I loved how the splashes of color were placed in just certain things. For example, her dress setting off the black, white, and gray color scheme of the comic. Thus making her stand out and pop among the rest of the characters. It was clean. It was fun. It had an old-timey feeling that placed you back in her time (the 60's or 70s). It also carried into the style of the club and the music (scat and jazz). As for the story, I was slightly confused by a couple of things. One the villains themselves which looked more like ghosts than lizards. Or maybe the minions were ghosts and he was a lizard. And then I had to go back and read it over because I was thinking how did it shrink when she tells him off. Betty doesn't have magic. But then it hit me just now that OOOO! Because she makes him FEEL small he literally shrinks. CLEVER! I like that! And so I enjoyed this immensely. I look forward to the next issue!
RATING: 7
PLOT: Betty Boop is late for the opening at Club OOP A DOOP. Her boss Mr. Finkle is ticked, but her friends take up for her and tell him she'll be there. She shows up and gives a gives a spontaneous performance to the delight of her friends. But annoyance of her boss. Meanwhile, her Grampy is back at home working on a new invention when he has unexpected visitor's that claim he hasn't paid his house bill and straight kicks him out the house. Back at the club, it's now jumping because Scat Skellington (any relation to Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas I wonder) is bringing down the house! The drinks are flowing! The floor is packed! But Betty doesn't get a chance to enjoy it long because she gets a call from Grampy and she rushes right over to help him kick out the intruders. The leader is called Mr. Lizard and apparently has a thing for a spirit.
MY THOUGHTS: Wow! I had NO IDEA! I've always loved Betty Boop! This lady's fashion sense is (to use a modern term) ON FLECK! The first introduction I got to this character was when I was in Orlando at one of the theme parks and came across a book called The Hollywood Chronicles of Betty Boop (which I bought) and thus begin my love for Betty Boop. It was this very book I was trying to find online to re-read and review that lead me to this modern day comic (and to my delight others). I even had a calendar that even after its use had expired, I tore the pictures out and hung them on my wall because she was just so stylish. While the absolute stunning of her fashion wasn't displayed here, I really liked this all the same. I LOVED the artwork! I loved it for the nostalgia for the characters and the memories it brought back. (Although I only recognized 2 here, Betty and Grampy)! I loved how the splashes of color were placed in just certain things. For example, her dress setting off the black, white, and gray color scheme of the comic. Thus making her stand out and pop among the rest of the characters. It was clean. It was fun. It had an old-timey feeling that placed you back in her time (the 60's or 70s). It also carried into the style of the club and the music (scat and jazz). As for the story, I was slightly confused by a couple of things. One the villains themselves which looked more like ghosts than lizards. Or maybe the minions were ghosts and he was a lizard. And then I had to go back and read it over because I was thinking how did it shrink when she tells him off. Betty doesn't have magic. But then it hit me just now that OOOO! Because she makes him FEEL small he literally shrinks. CLEVER! I like that! And so I enjoyed this immensely. I look forward to the next issue!
RATING: 7
February 10, 2018
Betty Boop....what can anyone really say? These loosely connected stories are just barely on this side of the ridiculous, with the basic premise of Betty being the original MPDG. The entire collection is silly with a side of morbid, and definitely hearkens back to the original.
Want to read
September 21, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
April 21, 2017
Big thank you to Netgallery for letting my review Betty Boop by Roger Langridge.
I’ve always been a fan of Betty Boop since my grandad introduced me to her when I was younger. WoW, what a lovely gem of a book we have here.
It’s beautifully illustrated, very clear and a joy to read.
It’s great to see Betty Boop back and even better.
Betty Boop works at the Oops-A-Doop Club and is doing well for her self.
Who looks after her Grampy. That’s where the Adventures begin.
Betty Boop and Grampy fight ghosts and giant bugs throughout these stories.
April 8, 2017
I love Betty Boop and I was honored to be asked to review this graphic novel before it's release. First let me say, the illustrations are amazing. Keeping true to her look and style. I appreciated that so much! The story line was fun and also true to form as a vintage animation. The characters were all wonderful and I loved not only the main characters like Koko the clown, Grampy, Bimbo, Pudgy, Sally and Scat Skellington but also all the well illustrated ghosts, bugs and even the scene of Betty riding in the taxi. What a wonderful book. Loved the Bonus Materials at the end. I would recommend this to everyone!
April 10, 2017
As a Betty Boop fan, I found this graphic novel to be true and faithful to Betty Boop. With a rich story-line and familiar characters that make you reminiscent for the old cartoons. The colors leave a feel of nostalgia, rich in the red and black Betty is known for, and only add to the enjoyment of the graphics. My voluntary review is based upon a review copy.
April 17, 2017
She’s listed as “The most famous female cartoon star of all!” and I don’t know if I can argue with that.
Betty is a waitress and wannabe star trying to keep her grampy from losing his house, but not doing a good job of it; perhaps grampy shouldn’t waste all his time and money buying tiny jet engines to put on turtles. Despite there being numerous stories, they all have that same plot: bad spirits want the house.
The first thing you see is the cover art, and it looks kinda surreal: her pose, her clothes. . . the fact that’s a clown behind her. . .
An orchestra made of bones seems like a good idea. Not so great when a little dog has a crush on you. The double-headed blonde is creepy. There’s a shot from behind that shows just how little Betty’s dress is, but later we see she looks better in her winter skating gear. So does Sally, for that matter.
Some fun lines:
“Ain’t that a kick in the head?”
“Mephistopheles Metamorphosis!”
“Every member of the clown’s guild is required to carry a crowbar with them at all times.”
Best moment: the clown making the nightclub owner literally smile is awesome.
20 pages of extra stuff. Mostly alternate covers, with a sketch of her on a rolling log, for some reason.
Betty is a waitress and wannabe star trying to keep her grampy from losing his house, but not doing a good job of it; perhaps grampy shouldn’t waste all his time and money buying tiny jet engines to put on turtles. Despite there being numerous stories, they all have that same plot: bad spirits want the house.
The first thing you see is the cover art, and it looks kinda surreal: her pose, her clothes. . . the fact that’s a clown behind her. . .
An orchestra made of bones seems like a good idea. Not so great when a little dog has a crush on you. The double-headed blonde is creepy. There’s a shot from behind that shows just how little Betty’s dress is, but later we see she looks better in her winter skating gear. So does Sally, for that matter.
Some fun lines:
“Ain’t that a kick in the head?”
“Mephistopheles Metamorphosis!”
“Every member of the clown’s guild is required to carry a crowbar with them at all times.”
Best moment: the clown making the nightclub owner literally smile is awesome.
20 pages of extra stuff. Mostly alternate covers, with a sketch of her on a rolling log, for some reason.
April 19, 2017
Betty Boop by Roger Langridge et. al. is a free NetGalley e-comicbook that I read in mid-April.
Issues 1-3 deal with the wrangling of the scheming, mean big bad, Lenny Lizardlips, who's always trying to con poor Gramps out of his home and the Oop-a-Doop Club, while Issue 4 has him using transformative potions to get revenge on Betty, alone. Although it's somewhat a spoiler, Betty Boop always comes out on top and the Club is saved from ruin and extinction with a sometimes rhyming song & dance (with black and white-hued cells tinted with muted color, but bright and bold with the red of Betty's dress).
Issues 1-3 deal with the wrangling of the scheming, mean big bad, Lenny Lizardlips, who's always trying to con poor Gramps out of his home and the Oop-a-Doop Club, while Issue 4 has him using transformative potions to get revenge on Betty, alone. Although it's somewhat a spoiler, Betty Boop always comes out on top and the Club is saved from ruin and extinction with a sometimes rhyming song & dance (with black and white-hued cells tinted with muted color, but bright and bold with the red of Betty's dress).
April 20, 2017
This is a super cute book!!
April 23, 2017
This was fun and with very nice cartoons.
I've never read nor watched anything about Betty Boop. She was just this cute sexy character who now and then is mentioned in movies and books.
The stories were the classic bad guy tries once and again to get Grampy's house (and Betty Boop's soul). Betty Boop is a great singer who works in a nightclub and is popular and adored by everyone. But her dream is to become a Hollywood star.
Naive and charming at once.
***
***Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
I've never read nor watched anything about Betty Boop. She was just this cute sexy character who now and then is mentioned in movies and books.
The stories were the classic bad guy tries once and again to get Grampy's house (and Betty Boop's soul). Betty Boop is a great singer who works in a nightclub and is popular and adored by everyone. But her dream is to become a Hollywood star.
Naive and charming at once.
***
***Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***
April 30, 2017
To be honest, I'd never heard of Betty Boop before this. (shows how young I am haha). That didn't affect my enjoyment of this, though. Each issue had a classic storyline which ended in Betty usurping the ghosts, but each story still had its own uniqueness. The illustrations were lovely, and apparently very similar to the original portrayals of each character, so definitely a job well done by Roger Langridge and Gisele Lagace. The comics had a very vintage feel to it, I felt like I was in an older era. This is a collection that would be enjoyed by first-time readers and fans alike, I should think.
Thanks to Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for providing me with a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for providing me with a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2017
A comic that seems to have the look of Betty Boop down to the ground, and her character as well, as far as I can remember them. What just seems to be completely off is the main story arc, regarding the devil trying to evict her and her grandfather. Surely a WTF moment for what is quite a lively and charmingly easy on the eye book. It's also the only reason to label this book as teen+, too – it's certainly for the very young, or those who remembered her first time round.
May 24, 2017
I really wanted to like this story, but it just falls flat. I think part of the problem is that Betty Boop is both an icon but also has become stale. This may have been another attempt to update her and feed some interest in her. But it just doesn't work. The story is not that interesting, the evil characters are not that evil, and Betty herself is always innocent. Its hard to make that work.
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