Jar of Fools
Encyclopedia
Jar of Fools is a once-weekly comic strip by Jason Lutes
that was compiled, first into a two-part anthology, and then a graphic novel. The work has received praise from the New York Times book review, Spin Magazine, Wired Magazine, and acclaimed comics creator Chris Ware
Jar of Fools is the story of a tormented magician named Ernie Weiss (likely based on Harry Houdini
, whose name was originally Ehrich Weiss). His brother, Howard, has died and he has become estranged from his girlfriend, Esther O'Dea. The story of the comic retells Ernie's struggles to get himself back on track and find himself, in part through the guidance of Al Flosso
(likely also based on a real magician of the same name).
The strip first ran weekly in The Stranger
, a weekly Seattle alternative newspaper. Jason Lutes self-published a collection of strips at first, but in 1994, Black Eye Productions
released the series in a two-part collected anthology. The book was then released by Drawn and Quarterly
in 2003, where Jason Lutes releases his Berlin
series.
Jar of Fools was one of Jason Lutes's first mainstream successes, earning him praise from many publications. Chris Ware
, one of the most popular alternative comics writers, said of Jar of Fools: "Reading Jar of Fools is like getting a slow motion punch in the face. There’s plenty of time to get out of the way, but something compels you to wait and find out of it’s actually going to hurt as much when it hits. And, of course, it does." Will Shetterly
and Emma Bull
picked Jar as one of the two best graphic novels of 1994, describing it as "an astonishingly mature work."
The success of Jar of Fools came as something of a surprise to Lutes. On that subject he says: "I think it was well-received partly because I set out specifically to tell a story that could be picked up and read by people who did not usually read comics, and partly because the reader could in some way participate in the same process of discovery I went through in its creation."
Jason Lutes
Jason Lutes is an American comics creator. His work is mainly historical fiction, but he also works in traditional fiction...
that was compiled, first into a two-part anthology, and then a graphic novel. The work has received praise from the New York Times book review, Spin Magazine, Wired Magazine, and acclaimed comics creator Chris Ware
Chris Ware
Franklin Christenson Ware , is an American comic book artist and cartoonist, widely known for his Acme Novelty Library series and the graphic novel Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he resides in the Chicago area, Illinois...
Jar of Fools is the story of a tormented magician named Ernie Weiss (likely based on Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-born American magician and escapologist, stunt performer, actor and film producer noted for his sensational escape acts...
, whose name was originally Ehrich Weiss). His brother, Howard, has died and he has become estranged from his girlfriend, Esther O'Dea. The story of the comic retells Ernie's struggles to get himself back on track and find himself, in part through the guidance of Al Flosso
Al Flosso
Albert Levinson was a Jewish American magician and entertainer, better known by his stage name Al Flosso....
(likely also based on a real magician of the same name).
The strip first ran weekly in The Stranger
The Stranger (newspaper)
The Stranger is an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, Washington, USA. It runs a blog known as Slog.-History:The Stranger was founded by Tim Keck, who had previously co-founded the satirical newspaper The Onion, and cartoonist James Sturm. Its first issue came out on September 23, 1991...
, a weekly Seattle alternative newspaper. Jason Lutes self-published a collection of strips at first, but in 1994, Black Eye Productions
Black Eye Productions
Black Eye Productions was a short-lived but influential Canadian comic book publishing company founded by Michel Vrana...
released the series in a two-part collected anthology. The book was then released by Drawn and Quarterly
Drawn and Quarterly
Drawn and Quarterly is a Canadian comic book publishing company, headed by Chris Oliveros, and based in Montreal, Quebec. Its focus is on graphic novels and underground or alternative comics. Drawn and Quarterly was also the title of the company's flagship quarterly anthology during the 1990s...
in 2003, where Jason Lutes releases his Berlin
Berlin (comics)
Berlin is the title of a comic book series created by Jason Lutes and published by Black Eye Productions and then Drawn and Quarterly. Planned as a series of 24 magazines, it describes life in Berlin from 1928 to 1933, during the decline of the Weimar Republic...
series.
Jar of Fools was one of Jason Lutes's first mainstream successes, earning him praise from many publications. Chris Ware
Chris Ware
Franklin Christenson Ware , is an American comic book artist and cartoonist, widely known for his Acme Novelty Library series and the graphic novel Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, he resides in the Chicago area, Illinois...
, one of the most popular alternative comics writers, said of Jar of Fools: "Reading Jar of Fools is like getting a slow motion punch in the face. There’s plenty of time to get out of the way, but something compels you to wait and find out of it’s actually going to hurt as much when it hits. And, of course, it does." Will Shetterly
Will Shetterly
Will Shetterly is an American writer of fantasy and science fiction best known for his novel Dogland . The novel is inspired by his childhood at the tourist attraction Dog Land owned by his parents...
and Emma Bull
Emma Bull
Emma Bull is a science fiction and fantasy author whose best-known novel is War for the Oaks, one of the pioneering works of urban fantasy. She has participated in Terri Windling's Borderland shared universe, which is the setting of her 1994 novel Finder...
picked Jar as one of the two best graphic novels of 1994, describing it as "an astonishingly mature work."
The success of Jar of Fools came as something of a surprise to Lutes. On that subject he says: "I think it was well-received partly because I set out specifically to tell a story that could be picked up and read by people who did not usually read comics, and partly because the reader could in some way participate in the same process of discovery I went through in its creation."