The Adventures of Unemployed Man

I have to be honest.  I was not as excited about reading The Adventures of Unemployed Man as I could have been.  Our Worst Book of the Year award went to a comic about economics.  Economics is something I barely understand (thank you Planet Money team!), and rarely enjoy (no thanks to my college professors).  The thought of reading another economics book was not too appealing.  However, after reading The Adventures of Unemployed Man, I might change my mind!

Erich Origen and Gan Golan put together an entertaining and well-crafted primer on the current economic situation.  They lay out, in easy to understand terms, where the crisis originated, the stop-gap measures that have been used to "contain" the situation, and the difficult road ahead if we are to truly solve the problem.  While it is clear that Origen and Golan have a group of people in mind as the true culprits, they are quick to point out that we all have a part in this.

What could be a depressing and disheartening book is actually downright entertaining to read.  It is full of colorful characters, superhero puns, and some flowery language that really captures the spirit of the romp.  Tongues are planted firmly in cheeks as Unemployed Man and his associates battle the Just Us Society.  However, there is always a biting edge just below the comedic surface.  Origen and Golan never lose sight of the fact that they are educating as well as entertaining.

What separates Unemployed Man from other humorous books is the art.  In a word, the book is gorgeous.  Drawing inspiration from the Silver Age of comics, The Adventures of Unemployed Man practically glows.  The artists (joining Golan are a host of accomplished artists including, Rick Veitch, Ramona Fradon, Michael Netzer, and Joe Rubenstein) turn in fantastic art that is full of detail.  The characters leap across the page and fly through the air as if it was...well, as if it was their job! 


The Adventures of Unemployed Man is the kind of book that is great for fans of comic books, humor, and economics.  It is the type of book that you will read once, shake your head, and go back to read again.  Now, more than ever, the world needs Unemployed Man!