The title of "Number One is Walking" by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss confused me. Martin clarifies this early in the book. The top-billed star in a movie is referred to as "Number One." When that star leaves his trailer and heads to the set, an assistant radios ahead that "Number One is walking" to indicate they should prepare for the next scene. Steve Martin was Number One in his first few movies, which fed his ego, so he was surprised and disappointed when he heard an assistant on "It's Complicated" announce: "Number Three is Walking."

"Number One" is half a show business autobiography and half a graphic novel. Bliss illustrates the conversations he had with Martin as they stroll through a park, drive through a country, or enjoy a meal together. Martin recounts anecdotes from his moviemaking days, and Bliss illustrates these as well, complete with dialogue in word balloons. We hear about Steve's interactions with Martin Short, Carl Reiner, and Robin Williams.

The stories are not deep insights. Instead, the authors rely on amusing interactions. When talking about a pleasant afternoon with Helena Bonham Carter, Martin thought she was normal until she walked in a circle multiple times before entering an elevator. When questioned, Carter explained that she was walking off a fart. These are the kind of stories you get in this book.

The book tells these stories with the wit we have come to expect from Steve Martin and with a style that Harry Bliss perfected during his years as a cartoonist for the New Yorker.

The second half of this volume consists of single-panel, full-page comics, each telling a single joke. Presumably, the idea originated from Steve, and Harry created the artwork.

Steve Martin is no longer the wild and crazy guy of his youth. He has matured into a thoughtful adult who is not afraid to make fun of himself. He does so in this book with the help of Harry Bliss.