The long (as in a decade) out of print, first D & Q collection of comics maestro, Kevin Huizenga's work, Curses is now at last back in print in this very nice French-flappped softcover edition – that includes 40 additional pages, including an appreciation by noted comics authority, Douglas Wolk.

Revisiting this thematically and formally interlinked collection of short to mid-length comics after close to twenty years, the first thought it how current, even prescient they seem.  The social, political and personal observations feel as fresh and pertinent now as they did then.  Huizenga's long running concerns with temporality, scale and variability are all here, flowing along atop an undercurrent that is an idiosyncratic and unique – and intellectually bracing – mix of Midwestern sincerity and European absurdist humor. 

"Not Sleeping Together" has improved with age, showing itself to be a stronger and more amply significant tale this second time around.  While perhaps hampered by the not altogether successful grafting of an overly familiar horror comics trope, the story is formally inventive in a number of ways – structurally as well as graphically – which build upon each other, yielding compound insights that reward multiple readings.

Suffice it to say, this is a must for all Huizenga fans who do not already have the original, and is recommended to all 21st century comics readers.

Here's our original 2006 write-up of the hardcover edition:

The much anticipated first collection by up-and-coming-new-comics-champ, Kevin Huizenga is at last on our shelves.  Its arrival may, however, signal the end of Huizenga's status as an up-and-comer, and initiate his ensconsement in the ranks of established contemporary masters of comics.  This volume brings together a wide range of Huizenga's work from a wide variety of sources.  It starts off with a little known (well, not to long time Copacetic customers) gem from the Orchid anthology published by Sparkplug Comics, titled, "Green Tea."  It is adapted from a classic Victorian horror story of the same name by Sheridan Le Fanu, but is given the inimitable Huizenga treatment and stands as an original work.  Following this there is:  the trilogy that first appeared in Drawn and Quarterly Showcase #1; almost the entirety of the now out of print first issue of Huizenga's ongoing solo title, Or Else; a 2-pager originally done for Time Magazine; and the full color story, "Jeepers Jacobs," originally executed for Kramers Ergot 5.  Anyone not already familiar with these works is heartily encouraged to consider this a great opportunity to read some excellent comics delivered in a fine package for a reasonable price.  If you're looking for comics by Huizenga, and you haven't already purchased these works in their original manifestations, then this is the book for you!