99% Perspiration

A Frazz Collection

review by

Tony Nappa

99% PERSPIRATION (A Frazz Collection)

by Jef Mallett

(Andrews McMeel Publishers)

Reader Appeal: All Ages

Genre: Humor / Cartoons

If you haven't discovered the Frazz cartoon strip by Jef Mallett yet, then you are seriously missing out on one of the more consistently funny comics of today. With influences like Calvin & Hobbes and Rose is Rose, this strip is a lighthearted look at millionaire/school janitor, Frazz as he interacts with the teachers and kids at Bryson Elementary school.

In this second Frazz collection, 99% Perspiration, Mallett delivers yet another hilarious collection of comics that will make you laugh… a lot.

His name is really Mr. Frasier, but everyone just calls the young, eternally happy janitor, Frazz. Frazz's world is populated by teachers like Mrs. Olson - a mean old lady that no one likes, but who has her own redemptive surprises - and the principal who tries to act cool and make kids like him, but isn’t the brightest guy. And there is Miss Plainwell, who is Frazz’s crush, but he is too chicken to go ask her out. Among the kids there is Caulfield - a young boy who is bright, well-read, and one of Frazz’s best friends. There are also the other kids who absolutely adore Frazz, and think he is the best.

Frazz has a good sense of humor, and he loves a funny shenanigan here and there, but he knows when it is time to be serious too. He also is a musician, and is always writing songs. And in a sign of his obvious good taste, he believes that a Queen concert t-shirt is the height of fashion. In this setting, there are all sorts of hijnks that happen to Frazz and the gang at Bryson Elementary. The events range from the Principal accidentally sitting on a tootsie pop, to Caulfield being disappointed in a comic writer for getting Edison and Einstein mixed up, so you never know what is going to happen next.

Occasionally Mallett takes the strip away from the school, telling about times that Frazz is off with one of his buddies outside the school, and unfortunately those strips are never as inspired as the others. There are also times that some series within the strip go on  a bit too long, making it a little repetitive every once in a while.

Still, Frazz is definitely one of the more entertaining comics out right now, and I would easily recommend this book to parents and children alike. It just might take you back to those days way back when...

FAMILYFANS RATING: A-

If members of your family like this book, then you may want to try…

-Live at Bryson Elementary, Jef Mallett, Humor/Cartoons. More fun with everyone’s favorite millionaire/janitor!

--TN