Mr. Fascination and the Fascination Machines by Michael Jasorka

An homage to a beloved piece of boardwalk history, Mr. Fascination and the Fascination Machines by Michael Jasorka is an eye-opening peek into the colorful history of electro-mechanical pinball machines. This niche graphic novel traces the century-long journey of the mechanized arcade game Fascination, telling the tale of its mysterious mob ties, cult classic fame, and underdog survival in that growing industry. Written in comic book style, there is an overreliance on expositional bubbles that can be difficult to differentiate, but the illustrations and obvious passion for the project elevate the book over some stumbles in presentation. Celebrating a piece of Americana that has nearly been lost, but not forgotten, this is a unique and surprisingly dramatic tale that is both informative and endearing in its reverence for the game.