[Comic Sunday #13] The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances by The Oatmeal

Comic Sundays are an American newspaper tradition where new comic strips are published weekly. At Becoming Books this tradition will continue focusing on comic strips, comics and graphic novels appealing to young adult and adult audiences.

Story and Illustrations by Matthew Inman, The Oatmeal

Nonfiction – Graphic Novel, Health and Fitness | 148 pages

September 30, 2014 // Andrews McMeel Publishing

Purchased personal copy. – Opinions are my own, review policy here.

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This is not just a book about running. It's a book about cupcakes. It's a book about suffering.

It's a book about gluttony, vanity, bliss, electrical storms, ranch dressing, and Godzilla. It's a book about all the terrible and wonderful reasons we wake up each day and propel our bodies through rain, shine, heaven, and hell.

From #1 New York Times best-selling author, Matthew Inman, AKA The Oatmeal, comes this hilarious, beautiful, poignant collection of comics and stories about running, eating, and one cartoonist's reasons for jogging across mountains until his toenails fall off.

I picked this up on Black Friday from Barnes & Noble so it's signed which is cool. More importantly this book is HILARIOUS!!

Illustrations
All the pages are black with various color type and illustrations. This really makes the colors pop however, there's a section towards the end which uses red lettering and it's hard to read for my quasi-young eyes. I love the illustrations which convey SO much emotion, a strong love for food and detest for running. :p While the illustrations are not as prominent as in traditional comics or graphic novels they're still an integral part of the story. They're the story's subconscious.

Story
This is my life. Matthew Inman is able to accurately capture that running is not necessarily to feel great but to not feel horrible. I laughed so many times with my head nodding furiously. I'm still an irregular runner but Matthew's stories and advice have me ready to lace up, today not Monday.

To Pull or Not To Pull? What's a pull list?

The Oatmeal is a web comic series which Matthew has published into about a half dozen books. I will be subscribing to the website for updates and keep an eye out for future publishings.