Josh Neufeld & R. Walker's TITANS OF FINANCE: Reviews

Reviews

All Hail the Titans
Better Investing (April 2002)
Angele McQuade

Ron Perelman I never expected to review a financial comic book in this column, but I'm delighted to discover one as well-executed as Titans of Finance: True Tales of Money and Business.

Co-creators Josh Neufeld and R. Walker leave little ambiguity in their profiles
of seven citizens of Corporate America. Using a fraction of the words in most books, they deliver an awful lot of insight into a group of “titans” whose business morals are slightly suspect.

Titans of Finance isn't your typical comic book. For one thing, it's non-fiction. For another, it's well-researched; Neufeld and Walker will even send you a bibliography if you're itching to verify their stories. You don't even need to trek down to your local comics store — it's available at online retailers such as Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com.

Titans of Finance is an incredibly clever take on the typical corporate profile, and the drawings are just as witty as the text. Neufeld and Walker not only make their opinions of their subjects clear, but also use their combined talents to help readers catch on quickly.

Titans is a beautifully drawn and described hall of shame for some especially tantalizing displays of corporate misbehavior. As a bonus, it's also just plain fun to read. Neufeld and Walker tailor their content to the strengths of the comic book format. This isn't just an average critique of business greed with some extra pictures thrown in to keep things busy. Both the text and illustrations are on target as Wall Street figures such as Ron Perelman and Al Dunlap are skewered for their business misdealings alongside other infamous movers and shakers. Neufeld and Walker infuse their verbal and visual portraits with evidence of shaky financial schemes; overbearing, unyielding management techniques; and flat-out foolish business decisions. You'll find your-self shaking your head in disbelief while wondering what other secrets Wall Street types might be trying to hide.

My only complaint is that the profiles are too short. These sketches, in which no subject is taboo and sordid personal tidbits are included with tales of corporate blunders, left me wanting more. With commentary this scathing and ironic, it's not likely Neufeld and Walker are becoming close friends with other titans of finance. They'll have no shortage of prospects if they decide to create Issue No. 2. I'll be first in line to read it if they do.