I have to say this has one of the most attractive cover designs I’ve seen on a graphic novel in some time. Not every aspect of this landed with me (a I have to say this has one of the most attractive cover designs I’ve seen on a graphic novel in some time. Not every aspect of this landed with me (a Greek chorus of mice in one chapter and of sea birds in another seemed tacked in to no discernable purpose), but overall this is good, complex work from a talented artist....more
Excellent, wrenching diary comics detailing author Sarah Leavitt's journey through grief after her longtime partner chooses medically-assisted suicideExcellent, wrenching diary comics detailing author Sarah Leavitt's journey through grief after her longtime partner chooses medically-assisted suicide due to chronic severe pain. It's soaked with sadness but with lots of love and hope puncturing through the haze. My brief Q&A with Sarah is now live on Publishers Weekly:
Wonderful anthology featuring a truly eclectic array of 151 artists from around the globe. These one-page comics are thoughtful, hopeful, weird, wildlWonderful anthology featuring a truly eclectic array of 151 artists from around the globe. These one-page comics are thoughtful, hopeful, weird, wildly imaginative, funny, and deeply poignant. At its core it is all of a piece, which is key to any successful anthology.
Cara Bean has done a truly wonderful job with this fun, accessible ages-12-and-up guide to mental health. It's full of helpful, relatable and charmingCara Bean has done a truly wonderful job with this fun, accessible ages-12-and-up guide to mental health. It's full of helpful, relatable and charming as all-get-out information, appropriate personal anecdotes and sound advice. Her skillful, entertaining cartooning underlines the fact that the medium of comics is an exceptionally effective way to put across educational materials for younger people (and adults like me!). ...more
I always enjoy Sergel's comics. These eight short stories pair his signature high contrast visuals with his darkly humorous interrogations of human beI always enjoy Sergel's comics. These eight short stories pair his signature high contrast visuals with his darkly humorous interrogations of human behavior. ...more
Suffused with death imagery, this is a dark and haunting graphic novel, set in 1943, examining the lasting damage of the holocaust. The last section iSuffused with death imagery, this is a dark and haunting graphic novel, set in 1943, examining the lasting damage of the holocaust. The last section in particular knocked me out....more
November Garcia is a really fun autobio cartoonist in the rough and tumble, warts-is-all tradition of Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Dori Seda, and Julia WertzNovember Garcia is a really fun autobio cartoonist in the rough and tumble, warts-is-all tradition of Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Dori Seda, and Julia Wertz. This is a comprehensive collection of her career thus far. The "My Weepy Ex" comics threaded throughout the book in particular made me laugh out loud. ...more
This is Vellekoop's magnum opus: a long, searingly honest graphic memoir about growing up gay in a strict Dutch Christian community with loving but difficult parents. Naturally this resulted in conflicted relationships, guilt, depression, and even self-hatred for Vellekoop. But lest you think this sounds like a painful read, be advised that his sense of humor is in fine form throughout, and that his artwork is as delightful as ever (and breathtakingly beautiful at times). Can't recommend this book highly enough....more
A really fun and engaging story about a group of messy queer friends who, you know, mess up a lot, but always keep trying. It's relatable, whether youA really fun and engaging story about a group of messy queer friends who, you know, mess up a lot, but always keep trying. It's relatable, whether you're in your "dirty thirties" or like me, quite a bit older. Bongiovanni is a skillful artist but always avoids slickness. A bonus for me is that it's set in Minneapolis and Bongiovanni captures that very particular Twin Cities vibe perfectly. ...more
This comic about Alaska's fraught history with nuclear weaponry is scarily eye-opening, but presented with wonderfully scrawly, eccentric cartooning aThis comic about Alaska's fraught history with nuclear weaponry is scarily eye-opening, but presented with wonderfully scrawly, eccentric cartooning and a tragicomic sense of humor that work together in pitch-perfect harmony. Finishing it, I wondered how on earth we humans are still here on this planet, how is it we haven't annihilated ourselves yet (spoiler alert: we came horrifyingly close in the early 60s). But give us time, we're working on it, harder than ever. Also: now I want to see the new, smash-hit movie Oppenheimer even more (Oppenheimer makes an appearance here, naturally). One of my favorite comics this year....more
Exceptionally good memoir dealing with displacement, generational trauma and abuse—and ultimately healing. Maureen Burdock is a gifted artist and storExceptionally good memoir dealing with displacement, generational trauma and abuse—and ultimately healing. Maureen Burdock is a gifted artist and storyteller with so much to say. I was enthralled from the very beginning. ...more
A superior anthology with a stellar roster of contributors ranging from established comics geniuses like Maureen Burdock, Mimi Pond, Carol Tyler and JA superior anthology with a stellar roster of contributors ranging from established comics geniuses like Maureen Burdock, Mimi Pond, Carol Tyler and Jennifer Camper to lesser known but talented artists like Ajaun Mance, Emily Steinberg, Rachael House, and Dana Walrath. Editor MK Czerwiec did an excellent job of sequencing the stories into a seamless whole. Highly recommended. ...more
Jason Martin is one of my favorite cartoonist/writers. A new zine from him is like a little jewel, and a whole paperback book like this is a treasure Jason Martin is one of my favorite cartoonist/writers. A new zine from him is like a little jewel, and a whole paperback book like this is a treasure trove. He manages to find the profound in the quotidian, and secret blessings in the mundane day-to-day, and that's a real gift for both him and his readers. ...more
Lovely, spooky YA tale about a teen girl named Indigo who has suddenly become haunted by a frightful entity that appears to her in the wee hours of thLovely, spooky YA tale about a teen girl named Indigo who has suddenly become haunted by a frightful entity that appears to her in the wee hours of the night. But why is this happening? And what can she do to stop it? It's an engaging story with a strong heroine and most importantly, has some beautifully rendered haunting sequences (when the spirit appears it's depicted in intense, unearthly deep tones of blue). And there's even a social message worked in that's perfect for it's targeted age group. Def recommend this one to ages 12 and up....more
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