< comics/x >
PANEL: HOME edited by D. Tony Goins and Tom Williams
($3.00, b & w, 44 pages; published by Ferret Press / 600 Markview Road / Columbus, OH / 43214 USA. Web:
www.ferretpress.com,
www.panelcomix.com. Also available in the
Poopsheet Shop)
Reviewed by Mike HunterThis "Home"-themed anthology - varied graphics within echo this concept - is loaded with consistently strong, stylistically varied work. To focus on a few offerings:
Andy Bennett's "Inside Out" chronicles the adventures of a small black cat who wanders out of his/her cozy home. Vibrant, brushy inks nicely capture the feline's subtleties of body language - ears flattening in dismay upon realizing it is locked out, focusing upon and stalking prey, and that most cat-like trait of moving from action to settling down for a snooze. A slight tale, aided by exceptional art and a satisfyingly circular narrative.
In "Buried Talents," Craig Bogart's art is reminiscent of Paul Grist's style, and is well attuned to conveying the drama in his tale. A man who's led a play-it-safe life returns to old "stomping grounds" for a class reunion, and is confronted by a murderous doppelganger, who wishes to slay and replace him, and follow the more adventurous "road not taken." Crisp, well-composed art, strong usage of blacks, though the words are marred by being typeset in a font too small and with excessive "leading" (space between the lines). The story - though a bit melodramatic at times - is effectively told, most events occurring in flashback from the violent encounter.
Tom Williams' "Cribs" displays an antic, bizarre sense of humor. MTV improbably decides to focus on the cartoonist's domicile. A roommate whose pastime is shooting at squirrels, adjacent cemetery ("Doesn't that view scream good mornin'?"), a monkey who's Williams' new colorist (don't ask
what it uses for paints!). All quite madcap, enhanced by artwork that's expressionistic, yet anatomically solid.
In "Xiang/Home," the most heartfelt piece here, writer Sean McGurr meditates upon his return to his roots in Ohio, purchase of a home there, and the adoption by him and his wife of a baby girl, who was abandoned outside an orphanage in China. He plans how they'll "...incorporate some Chinese culture into her life," shares anxieties "about being a good parent...concern that your child won't love and respect you..." Dan Barlow's strong, assured artwork reminds of David Mazzucchelli and Tony Salmons, which is a very good thing indeed. A family gathering and crowd in a ballgame are packed with vitality, without excess of sappy sentiment. In the panel where McGurr expresses his tribulations about being up to the challenges of parenting, Barlow wittily depicts McGurr incarcerated, the silhouetted bars of a crib he's assembling held up before his face.
This lively, enjoyable anthology gives exceptional value for your money. Other
Panel offerings seem equally promising...
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