Carol Swain has quietly been amassing a substantial and significant body of work in her native England for approximately a quarter century, building a small but significant following among the comics cognoscenti here in the States, who have been admiring and enjoying her work in dribs and drabs as it has made its way over here in numerous anthologies, one previous collection – Way Out Strips – and two graphic novels – the just released Giraffes in My Hair, done in collaboration with Bruce Paley, and Foodboy – most published by Fantagraphics Books. Now Dark Horse Books has stepped up to publish a quite substantial collection of her short stories, 38 in all – 29 in black & white and 9 in colour – most of which are executed in her texture-accenting colored pencil technique which has won her many a convert, and many of which have not been previously available in the USA. This 200 page hardcover is a rare treat that is filled with unique, heartfelt work that hits home. Get a feel for it with this 20-page online "flip-book." You'll be glad you did.
