I first found this book while perusing a Barnes and Nobel about 17 years ago while my mom was getting her hair done. I was a big fan of the Simpsons, and was surprised to learn that Matt Groening had done things prior to the show. At the time, I could tell I really enjoyed the comics, but I couldn't put my finger on why. They were funny, but not that funny, the art was passable, but not phenomenal. Now, on the doorstep of thirty, with ten years of Sartre, Nietzsche, Hesse, etc under my belt and I finally understand what led me to spent my hard-earned allowance on a book full of black and white comics...If you're a progressive parent that wants your teenager to start thinking about things a bit outside of the norm, something beyond say Hollister vs American Apparel, or Uniqlo vs Supreme, get them this comic. It deals with sex, sexuality, drugs, depression, suicide, parenthood, childhood, work, fulfillment (or lack thereof), the big Why, and a litany of others. Some of the comics haven't aged very well (though you might argue that any stereotypes might just be meta commentary), but by and large I think it's a good book to get kids started with the struggle of existence.If you're a Republican, I wouldn't get this book, there are a lot of jokes at your ideology's expense (most of the comics were produced during the Reagan 80's).