What do you think?
Rate this book
Proposition Player
144 English DC Comics Written by Bill Willingham; ART by Willingham. Paul Guinan and Ron Randall; COVER by Willingham Written by acclaimed FABLES creator Bill Willingham When a professional Vegas poker player collects vouchers for the souls of a roomful! of people as a bar prank. hes just anted up for a game he never imagined. He thinks theyre just worthless napkins. but envoys from Heaven and Hell think differently. Suddenly. Joeys caught in the middle of a tug-of-war between celestial powers ... can he bluff his way out of it SC. 7x10. 144pg. FC
144 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2003
About the author
Bill Willingham
1,034 books2,779 followersIn the late 1970s to early 1980s he drew fantasy ink pictures for the Dungeons & Dragons Basic and Expert game rulebooks. He first gained attention for his 1980s comic book series Elementals published by Comico, which he both wrote and drew. However, for reasons unknown, the series had trouble maintaining an original schedule, and Willingham's position in the industry remained spotty for many years. He contributed stories to Green Lantern and started his own independent, black-and-white comics series Coventry which lasted only 3 issues. He also produced the pornographic series Ironwood for Eros Comix.
In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables
In the late 1990s Willingham reestablished himself as a prolific writer. He produced the 13-issue Pantheon for Lone Star Press and wrote a pair of short novels about the modern adventures of the hero Beowulf, published by the writer's collective, Clockwork Storybook, of which Willingham was a founding member. In the early 2000s he began writing extensively for DC Comics, including the limited series Proposition Player, a pair of limited series about the Greek witch Thessaly from The Sandman, and most notably the popular series Fables
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 30, 2023
Sufficiently diverting (which is what I hope my epitaph says).
May 16, 2014
This proposition player has become a whale. He's playing for the highest stakes he has ever been handed--human souls.
I wasn't a big fan of this graphic novel. While the idea was very interesting, I didn't like the direction the story took or the main character much at all. Joe is a jerk, a lowlife, and a self-absorbed, insensitive putz. Strong words, but warranted. The folklore and mythology aspects could have been an advantage in this book, but they weren't. The situations in which they acted sort of stole their thunder, considering the opportunity to have all the mythological godfigures in the same place. It would have been interesting to show traits that distinguished them from each other to people who had some background in their various folkloric origins. I had hopes that there would be a big stakes poker game with the mythical godfigures and Joe, but the author chose to end this one differently. Also, I think this is one of those stories where a jerk gets rewarded for his bad behavior. Not a fan of this plot device in the slightest. Lastly, the humor is irreverent and in some places, downright perverse.
I can't think of a whole lot to recommend about this book, other than the artwork was lovely and the concept mildly interesting. As much as I love the Fables series by Willingham, I didn't care much for this one.
Overall rating: 2.5/5.0 stars.
I wasn't a big fan of this graphic novel. While the idea was very interesting, I didn't like the direction the story took or the main character much at all. Joe is a jerk, a lowlife, and a self-absorbed, insensitive putz. Strong words, but warranted. The folklore and mythology aspects could have been an advantage in this book, but they weren't. The situations in which they acted sort of stole their thunder, considering the opportunity to have all the mythological godfigures in the same place. It would have been interesting to show traits that distinguished them from each other to people who had some background in their various folkloric origins. I had hopes that there would be a big stakes poker game with the mythical godfigures and Joe, but the author chose to end this one differently. Also, I think this is one of those stories where a jerk gets rewarded for his bad behavior. Not a fan of this plot device in the slightest. Lastly, the humor is irreverent and in some places, downright perverse.
I can't think of a whole lot to recommend about this book, other than the artwork was lovely and the concept mildly interesting. As much as I love the Fables series by Willingham, I didn't care much for this one.
Overall rating: 2.5/5.0 stars.
Read
June 9, 2015This is a fairly dark graphic novel about a man who ends up inadvertently getting 36 souls in exchange for a round of beers, and what happens when outside forces start showing an interest in buying them off of him.
Although it references poker a fair bit, it's not as important to the story as the foreword seemed to think it would be. That said, the story is darkly fun, with lots of interesting characters on all sides, and the protagonist, Joey Martin, taking the story in an unexpected direction. The final issue especially is a surprising direction and is very fitting for the man who would go on to write Fables. Dark and cynical, but still pretty funny.
Although it references poker a fair bit, it's not as important to the story as the foreword seemed to think it would be. That said, the story is darkly fun, with lots of interesting characters on all sides, and the protagonist, Joey Martin, taking the story in an unexpected direction. The final issue especially is a surprising direction and is very fitting for the man who would go on to write Fables. Dark and cynical, but still pretty funny.
May 25, 2020
I liked this, but I think it would have been better as a longer story. That way, there would be more space to expand the world-building aspects rather than the ("show, don't tell").
I mainly know of Bill Willingham as a writer (particularly on Fables), so it's interesting that he was involved with the art on this too: initially pencils and inks, then just inks, then no drawing at all. He did a decent job, and I'm impressed with the seamless transition between artists; if I hadn't looked at the credits boxes, I wouldn't even have noticed the change.
It's worth noting that some of the male characters have misogynistic views. In particular, there's Tom's speech about how he's a nice guy but women just want to be with arseholes; reading that in 2020, it sounds like something from an MRA/PUA forum. That said, the characters' views don't necessarily represent the author's views, and it's perfectly valid to have unpleasant characters (protagonists rather than heroes).
For me, the highlight of the story was the mythological elements.
This takes a very different approach to American Gods, but I think the same audience might enjoy both.
I mainly know of Bill Willingham as a writer (particularly on Fables), so it's interesting that he was involved with the art on this too: initially pencils and inks, then just inks, then no drawing at all. He did a decent job, and I'm impressed with the seamless transition between artists; if I hadn't looked at the credits boxes, I wouldn't even have noticed the change.
It's worth noting that some of the male characters have misogynistic views. In particular, there's Tom's speech about how he's a nice guy but women just want to be with arseholes; reading that in 2020, it sounds like something from an MRA/PUA forum. That said, the characters' views don't necessarily represent the author's views, and it's perfectly valid to have unpleasant characters (protagonists rather than heroes).
For me, the highlight of the story was the mythological elements.
This takes a very different approach to American Gods, but I think the same audience might enjoy both.
October 22, 2023
This is an unusual early work by Bill Willingham, later to be known for Fables! It’s dark and twisted and has some interesting elements but kind of lacks a likable lead and a plot ending.
May 27, 2016
With Proposition Player, Willingham wagers that readers will be so caught up in the casino-like glitz of the metaphysical commentary of its set up that they'll forgive the underlying shabbiness of the story. I was intrigued enough by the concept - small time gambler accidentally comes into possession of some human souls and decides to make a play to become one of the greats - to see the hand to the end, but it wound up being something of a draw.
Joey Martin, erstwhile godhead, is a self-centered, misogynistic jackass, and I suspect his lack of spiritual growth or maturation over the course of the narrative is actually part of the point of the book. (Wallingham: God? Oh, he's an arbitrary bastard.) Fair enough, but that doesn't account for some of the laziness of the narrative - the reductive bit about the Archangel Michael being a sadistic torturer, for instance, or the unlikeliness of former god Moloch discovering an easy way to get back on top and using it to help Joey rather than stage a comeback himself.
Still, there's a certain roguish, tongue-in-cheek tone that helps this Player skate by with the help of a few snappy comebacks from Odin's ravens and a genius bit with an alligator. I wouldn't call Willingham's Proposition Player a complete winner, but it's good enough to keep a seat at the table until something better comes along.
Joey Martin, erstwhile godhead, is a self-centered, misogynistic jackass, and I suspect his lack of spiritual growth or maturation over the course of the narrative is actually part of the point of the book. (Wallingham: God? Oh, he's an arbitrary bastard.) Fair enough, but that doesn't account for some of the laziness of the narrative - the reductive bit about the Archangel Michael being a sadistic torturer, for instance, or the unlikeliness of former god Moloch discovering an easy way to get back on top and using it to help Joey rather than stage a comeback himself.
Still, there's a certain roguish, tongue-in-cheek tone that helps this Player skate by with the help of a few snappy comebacks from Odin's ravens and a genius bit with an alligator. I wouldn't call Willingham's Proposition Player a complete winner, but it's good enough to keep a seat at the table until something better comes along.
February 18, 2015
Though it's moved on from the publishing model, DC/Vertigo used to drop all sorts of strange mini-series and one shots like Proposition Player. They'd vary in quality but were uniformly interesting in the way they toed the line to a lot of the big picture ideas to which Vertigo line played (magic, religion, gothic overtones). Proposition Player falls very much in line with the old Vertigo which I enjoyed so much as a teenager.
Of course, the real draw of Proposition Player for today's readers is Bill Willingham, creator of Vertigo's Fables. Indeed, careful readers can see the genesis of Fables in some respects - the repurposing of myths and stories, the slightly skewed look at institutions others hold dear.
Proposition Player is a solid six issue series with some humor that hits and some that falls flat. The art is competent but not flashy. There are some nice hooks for the initial concept (a somewhat scummy guy buys a bunch of souls on bar napkins in exchange for beers) and while I found the overall story more interesting for where Willingham would take some of these concepts later in his carer, it's still a decent enough diversion.
Of course, the real draw of Proposition Player for today's readers is Bill Willingham, creator of Vertigo's Fables. Indeed, careful readers can see the genesis of Fables in some respects - the repurposing of myths and stories, the slightly skewed look at institutions others hold dear.
Proposition Player is a solid six issue series with some humor that hits and some that falls flat. The art is competent but not flashy. There are some nice hooks for the initial concept (a somewhat scummy guy buys a bunch of souls on bar napkins in exchange for beers) and while I found the overall story more interesting for where Willingham would take some of these concepts later in his carer, it's still a decent enough diversion.
January 15, 2009
This is a FANTASTIC read. Written earlier in his career by Fables writer Bill Williamham, this is usually overlooked by people while they are waiting for their next Fables trade (which they shouldn't wait... buy the single issues! damn it!)
A Prop-player is an individual who gambles professionally and in the story one night a group of people know longer have any chips left to barter with so they bet their souls. After our hero wins them he becomes the unwitting pawn in an cosmic power play, as he is now the new player at the table.
A great read I highly recommend to anyone interested in the Fables series.
And there is a Chaos Monkey in this book.
A Prop-player is an individual who gambles professionally and in the story one night a group of people know longer have any chips left to barter with so they bet their souls. After our hero wins them he becomes the unwitting pawn in an cosmic power play, as he is now the new player at the table.
A great read I highly recommend to anyone interested in the Fables series.
And there is a Chaos Monkey in this book.
September 29, 2015
Well, this was pretty bad and disappointing.
The idea seems intriguing, but awful characters, plot that is basically nonexisting until the last issue which skips into the future and pretty sexist preaching in every issue easily outweighs few things this graphic novel has going for it.
The art is mediocre, and pretty forgettable.
Overall, skip this one, unless you are really desperate and have no alternative.
The idea seems intriguing, but awful characters, plot that is basically nonexisting until the last issue which skips into the future and pretty sexist preaching in every issue easily outweighs few things this graphic novel has going for it.
The art is mediocre, and pretty forgettable.
Overall, skip this one, unless you are really desperate and have no alternative.
April 23, 2008
I thought this book was good, but kind of rushed. It could have easiely been a whole series instead of just one book. A bunch of stuff happens, then the reader is told that a bunch of stuff happened, but the reader doesn't get to see how the second bunch of stuff happened. Oh well. Long live the chaos monkey!
February 11, 2010
I really thought this would be a story about gambling. It was, sort of. Garth Ennis has made it popular to write comics disrupting the Christian time/space continuum, which is okay...as long as it rocks your mind. This didn't do that. Once I got over my expectations of wanting this to be on par with Fables quality material, it was an enjoyable read.
September 24, 2014
Joey Martin es un apostador profesional de moral relajada y dudosa ética que tras una charla de bar entre amigos termina siendo el poseedor de 32 almas humanas, situación que lo posicionaen una mesa de juego más peligrosa... Joey Martin asciende entre los distintos panteones divinos pero ¿se le puede hacer un farol a Dios?
Willingham construye una fábula divertida e irreverente.
Willingham construye una fábula divertida e irreverente.
February 16, 2014
An amusing light urban fantasy. In some ways it feels like a take-off of Sandman’s “Season of Mists”, but there are still some interesting original characters here and some unusual dilemmas. [6/10]
March 13, 2011
What a fun story about god(s)! Probably would have worked a little better if it had been expanded out some (maybe enough to fill 3 graphic novels) but a good read as-is.
July 8, 2012
All I remember about this book is sub-par artwork and Willingham's clear hatred of women.
Fables is supposedly much better, but this book doesn't make me want to read Willingham again.
Fables is supposedly much better, but this book doesn't make me want to read Willingham again.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews