Kyle Baker Animation: The Ladder

Review of CARTOONIST From Publishers Weekly "Although well-known for his comics work (King David; The Truth), Baker also contributes to dozens of magazines where his wit, edge, satirical flair and ability to twist any and all subject matter make his work a standout. This new collection allows him to cut loose and explore his theme of skewering the excesses of Generations X and Y. Unlike many humorous cartoonists, Baker has drawing chops to spare, and he covers such subject matter as e-mail scams, dictators and religion without getting shoehorned into any one style or genre. Besides his biting look at social customs from clothing fads to class reunions, the best piece is a strip called The Bakers, which stars his wife and children and resembles a cross between Peanuts and The Cosby Show. This strip explores the family dynamics of baby dressing, adult themes in children's movies and the kids playing mom-against-dad in a highly entertaining fashion. Baker's whimsical humor hides a keen sense of observation, and the art, equally influenced by Sergio Aragones and Chuck Jones, will win as many fans as the humor. It's tough to compare Baker to any one person or style, however, as his worldview is all his own. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

THE ONION on CARTOONIST: "Comics artist Kyle Baker has made a cartoony style his trademark. In the new-to-paperback Kyle Baker, Cartoonist (Kyle Baker Publishing), he applies that approach to cartoons themselves. The collection veers wildly between dry wit and gross-out gags, but Baker is pretty good on either end of the spectrum; it's no coincidence that he's been published in both Mad and The New Yorker. Best of all is The Bakers, a series of sweet autobiographical family strips that close the book. It's self-published, but it didn't have to be."

VARIETY.COM ON THE BAKERS: "Kyle Baker may be too good and too funny for the good of comics. [...] This book is full of short, mostly silent and very funny tales of Baker’s life as a father trying to get some rest, convince his kids there aren’t monsters under the bed, and most frightening of all, taking the brood to the mall to find a gift for his wife. Grade: A" Tom McLean, Variety.com

HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN on THE BAKERS "Baker's fluidly drawn cartoons should appeal to his widest audience yet." Gary C.W. Chun, HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN

AINTITCOOL.COM ON THE BAKERS: Now I’m not a family man, but man did I love this book. [...] With an animator’s sense of timing, Baker exposes the pains of fatherhood, from being booted off the couch to make room for the kids to trying to keep a leash on all his rugrats when he goes shopping. [...] I really enjoyed seeing something a little warmer and grounded in the familiar (but still packed with plenty of paternal suffering). Much goodness! - Dave Farabee, Aintitcool.com

"'The Simpsons' and 'Family Guy' may dominate the television airwaves, but when it comes to family hijinx in comics, 'The Bakers' rule the neighborhood." Dave Howlett, BUZZSCOPE.COM

COLUMBUS ALIVE on KYLE BAKER "Reading a Baker book is like seeing the whole history of animation (or at least the highlights) distilled into a few well-chosen lines." J. Caleb Mozzocco, COLUMBUS ALIVE

ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION on THE BAKERS "Parents, especially, are likely to get some smiles, and even a few laughs, from these delightful retro funnies." Ed Hall, ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION

THE BAKERS #1 also features the epic 32-page "The Mall" and a quartet of shorter tales. All are very funny, but I could see "The Mall" as a big-screen screwball comedy. Tony Isabella, Tony's Online Tips	"Easily one of the funniest and best single-issue comics that I've read this year. I want more!" Randy Lander, www.thefourthrail.com	"You've got to hand it to Kyle Baker... he is quickly becoming one of the most versatile publisher/creators in comics today." Don MacPherson, www.thefourthrail.com
"The Bakers #1 by Kyle Baker is the first of what I hope is a nice, long run of this series of good-hearted family gags." Christopher Allen, www.comicbookgalaxy.com	"Baker’s gifted hand brings a sweet and fun collection of family comedy skits that would make the late Bill Gaines smile." -Graig Kent, www.chud.com	"The first story, "Giant Step", is a master class in human form as communication." crisisboringchange.blogspot.com
"This comic is beautifully illustrated, genuinely funny, and attractively designed." www.postmodernbarney.com	" kid-friendly comic from a modern genius." John L. Daniels Jr. www.comiccritique.com