Too Cool To Be Forgotten - Hardcover

Alex Robinson has written and illustrated several graphic novels, including Too Cool to Be Forgotten, Box Office Poison, Tricked, and Our Expanding Universe. He and his work have won several industry awards, including the prestigious Eisner Award and prize for best debut in Angouleme, France. Space considerations prevent us from listing the awards Robinson has lost, unfortunately. He lives in New York City with his wife and their pets, and hopes to have another book out soon.

Grade 10 Up—Robinson is back with a concise gem that packs just as much punch as his lengthier titles. The premise here is nothing groundbreaking: Andy Wicks, a middle-aged family man, goes to a hypnosis clinic to break a 25-year smoking habit. As he mocks the ordeal as "mumbo jumbo," he is suddenly transformed into his 15-year-old self. With a 40-something mind still intact, he is forced to relive the horrors of algebra class, visits to the principal, elaborate social hierarchies, and, of course, intense sexual frustration. What makes Too Cool remarkable is the author's ability to revisit high school drama and reality bending in a lighthearted way yet with a depth and thoughtfulness that consistently underscore the plot. Robinson never trivializes adolescent angst. Instead, Andy's journey allows him to explore and understand the complex psychology behind his coming-of-age choices and behavior. That he has lived to see the results adds a compelling twist. Readers will gain perspective on mortality, family relationships, compassion, and love among bikini posters, gum-infested lockers, and family TV nights. As usual, Robinson's portraits perfectly underscore the intricacies of emotion in the story line, from the awkwardness of goofy permed-out and barely mustachioed teens to the anxiety of aging fathers with worry lines. Further, the artist's use of white pace, page composition, and flexible panels create a compelling sense of movement and a satisfying sense of flow. Teens are sure to have a lot of fun with the book.—Shannon Peterson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA
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