This volume collects a number of webcomics originally published by Ingredient X Entertainment. It is divided into two parts, the first more chronological, about childhood and school, and the second more free-form, about love and adult life. I will not say that the strips are all funny, but they all have an emotional rawness and offer much that readers can empathize with. Lev portrays a world of isolation and alienation that seems to me reminiscent of Matt Groening's Life in Hell comics in terms of form and content.Lev Yilmaz is a San Francisco based cartoonist and film maker who has been showing Tales of Mere Existence cartoons at film festivals since 2002. He also publishes these videos on YouTube and has quite a following. This profile written by Jane Ganahl offers more insight into his life and work.
This collection is appealing to many but may cater to specific tastes. The Boston Bibliophile Marie recommended this book "to folks who like cynicism and sarcastic humor." The Graphic Novel Reporter's William Jones wrote that the Yilmaz's honesty makes "every page a new experience." There is a greater range of reviews at Goodreads.
Sunny Side Down was published by Simon & Schuster, who provide a preview here. In addition, there are a number of other Lev videos posted here.
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