How to Talk to Girls at Parties

The title of the book is just a clever ploy to dangle a carrot (so to speak) to shoppers. It's a clickbait of sorts. And I'm glad I bought it.

The master of storytelling - Neil Gaiman, who along with two fabulous twins illustrators - Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba, - have created a fascinating story unlike any other. The book measures a mere 61 pages, but Gaiman and the twin brothers have squeezed the entire universe into a focal story about what it means to be human.

Most people are familiar with Gaiman's storytelling and his affiliation to the science fiction genre. Gaiman is also a master in fusing two different universes into one. If you read his short story - A Study in Emerald, in which he meshed Cthulhu and Sherlock Holmes into a ‘whodunit' - you will love this one. By infusing science fiction elements to a plot where two guys are simply looking to get laid, Gaiman has notched up his storytelling to another level. The story is about two friends – a thin doofus (who can't bring himself to talk to girls) and a muscular alpha-male (whose track record with women is like no other) – attending a party where things begin to get interesting (and very very weird!). I won't say anything more because you must read this!

Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba (of the ‘Daytripper' fame; if you haven't read this I highly recommend it) have outdone themselves, with each panel in the book a joy to behold. Superb watercolour strokes and innovative use of orange & red palettes to convey the essence of Gaiman's story, characters and its world merits close attention and appreciation. On the outset, their style may look simplistic but it is very hard to pull it off. Kudos!

This book is unlike any other. It comes at a rather steep price for just 64 pages, but it is worth it. I'm glad I bought and it is another worthy addition to my graphic novel collection.