Shoplifter

Michael Cho's first graphic novel is deceptively simple and if you aren't careful a fast read.This is the kind of book that should be read, and then read again this time taking full measure of the artwork which is beautiful and clean presenting a story far too many of us have experienced but few actually do something about-- actually follow your dreams.The power of graphic novels is their ability to tell a lot of story in just a few pages because we can see the expressions and body language of the characters, we can see the environments they exist in and walk in their world.Cho's art is especially effective, evoking something deceptively simple while masterfully composed. A stellar first effort from a major talent.

This was a very well illustrated story about a woman indulging in an escalating series of indiscretions on her path to finding herself. The story was immersive and never felt slow; full of situational humor - sometimes dark - from her acting out and the realistic mishaps of daily life, while the positive support from the people in her life made it heart warming. The ending was satisfying and may resonate more strongly with those looking for a change in situation.

The story was a bit of a disappointment. The main character isn't exactly happy with her job, her love life or her life overall. She wanted more. She dreamed of more and in her spare time she does a bit of very petty shoplifting from the local convenience store. I did like the end however and I think my reading might have suffered from higher expectations. Also I thought the art was really beautiful specifically the drawings of the city itself or the city scenes. It really did a wonderful job of setting the tone. I could actually feel how lost the character might be through the art if not the story itself.

Believable, sympathetic Corrina, an English major graduate, is now working in ad agency in Toronto. She feels alienated, lonely, disconnected from all the money-making schemes and social media that surrounds her. To show she has confidence to herself, she takes up a bad shoplifting habit. As she spirals downward, she finds a way to save her humanity. I really loved this book, the story, the character, the artwork. This is a classic, as good as Ghostworld. Highly recommended.

First off, the art here is 5-star. The story, however, is merely okay. If anything, the narrative would have been helped by being longer. The various threads of the story (job, romantic interest, shoplifting) are lifted and looked at without being fully examined. Still, this is a promising early graphic novel by Cho. I’ll definitely be following his work.

This book is a gem. It offers up a glimpse into the life of a young lady who starts to question the status quo she's built around herself. The illustrations are excellent as well, there are some pages that have no dialogue, but what you see in the illustrations say so much more than can be conveyed with a few conversation bubbles. I'm glad I took a chance and got it. I'm looking forward to seeing more from this author.

A well-drawn and intricately observed story of a young woman at a crossroads in career and life. The drawings are sophisticated, subtle, and subtly funny, and then sneakily emotional. Cho approaches what could be a familiar story from an unfamiliar perspective, with plenty of satisfying surprises along the way. I look forward to future installments.

This is a well-written and drawn comic about finding oneself in the big city "after college". I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had read it ten years ago, but I also probably wouldn't have been smart or mature enough to pick this up ten years ago.

A nice read, especially if you work in the advertising industry...

Michael Cho’s ”Shoplifter" is a gem of a graphic novel. I borrowed it from my local library and loved it so much I ordered a copy to keep and study in my own collection. I'm a commercial illustrator and I've been taking notes-to-self about Michael Cho's commercial work for close to 2 decades now. His level of craftsmanship is exquisite. He's totally owned and mastered a career-long commitment to a black and white plus one colour, comics-inspired aesthetic. He has approached his graphic novel storytelling with the same care. The layouts and images arranged just so to give me, the reader, just the right information to build the story in my imagination, as all great stories do.It’s a digest-sized book, adding to that intimate feeling of the story, and the high-quality hardcover binding gives it a sense of being something valued, something to keep and treasure for a long time with the same level of care he’s put into creating it, which I intend to do. The black and white plus one colour (pink) harkens from the old print days when when designers felt pressure to save money by buying fewer colour plates to print with, which lends the art a timeless quality.The story is a slice of life from a pivotal time for his protagonist, Corinna Park. A simmering disillusionment with her career and life path that leads her to some risky behaviour. Cho has so tenderly felt his way into her experience. And he’s left lots of space for me as the reader to imagine and relate my own life experience to Corinna’s, to think for myself what she must be experiencing on the inside.

A lovely story, drawn with a simple but polished and effective style. It is almost like a mini movie.In my opinion, this comic would have benefited from a larger size. The pages are only 14 by 21 cm, which is rather small.

Cho is a gifted (supremely) storyteller. His work is economical, cinematic, graphically savvy and punchy. As good as anything the medium hasto offer. As an artist who has flirted with graphic novels or comics, I'm amazed and just a bit jealous of this young man's ability. While a simialr artistlike Tomine has much to offer by way of characterizations and ironies, his art doesn't carry the same "umph" factor that Cho's layouts do. Choisn't just a gifted illustrator, he can design too. And very well! Highly recommended. Thank you to the artist for a wonderful contribution to a medium cluttered with mediocrity and derivative garbage.

Gorgeous and distinctive artwork, somewhat reminiscent of Darwyn Cooke's Parker books. Bit disappointed in size and format of the book which didn't do justice to the artwork. Story was fine but seemed a bit short. Overall, I would recommend buying the book and would look for future projects from Michael Cho.