By various (Fantagraphics Books)
ISBN: 978-1-56097-873-2
The latest volume of the alternative, cutting edge cartoon-arts anthology once again presents new creators to augment the fabulous regulars and also has the added bonus of an all-new Al Columbia cover – plus a long, copiously illustrated interview with Tom Kaczynski.
Sophie Crumb contributes 1910 Anon, The Vile Creatures of Merdeville, France, Kids, The Murdock Mystery and Sad Bird, whilst Dash Shaw introduces himself with the colourful and bizarre time-warp melodrama Look Forward, First Son of Terra Two.
Ray Fenwick reveals The Five Oracles of Gossip whilst Émile Bravo’s We are All Equal: The Equation takes a silent look at discrimination. Robert Goodin reinterprets an old Indian (by which I mean The Asian Empire not the native American cultures) fable in The Ten Fools and Post-Modern discontent is examined in the wonderfully rendered Success Comes to Westmont, IL by newcomer John Hankiewicz, after which the aforementioned Tom Kaczynski supplements that interview with the short strip Phase Transition. Jeremy Eaton (a long ex-pat Brit) contributes the wonderfully engrossing – and dark – Winchester Cathedral, the first of many contributions, I hope.
The fifth instalment of Nothing Eve is next, and although still fascinating to look at, its protracted nature is beginning to mar the enjoyment – hopefully a future collected complete version will rekindle the spark – and Kurt Wolfgang also contributes the jolly filler, 22 Tattoo Ideas. Oddly the eighth episode of Paul Hornschemeier’s urban pot-boiler Life With Mr Dangerous is as compelling as ever it was and the suburbanite pastiche Hope Gropius is another delight from Tim Hensley.
Without doubt though, the absolute prize of the book is the concluding half of Jim Woodring’s wordless tale The Lute String, originally printed in Japan and starring your favourites and mine, Frank, Pupshaw and Pushpaw.
Whether you’re new to comics, new to the areas beyond the mainstream or just want something new; these fresh, cutting edge artworks are there to refresh, renew and re-read. You may not like all of it but you will respond to something here. You really should try it…
Mome © 2008 Fantagraphics Books. Individual stories are © the respective creator with the exception of We are All Alike © 2008 Dargaud by Bravo with rights arranged through Sylvia Coissard Agency. All Rights Reserved.