Where I'm Coming From is a beautifully produced 180 page, square-format hardcover that brings together a selection of this trailblazing strip that was curated by the creator herself.  As the abundant supporting materials included with this volume inform us, Brandon-Croft's creation began life in The Detroit Free Press in 1989 and within less than two years went on to become the first nationally syndicated comic strip produced by an African American woman when it was picked up by the Universal Press Syndicate in 1991.  You can read the whole story of the strip's genesis, impact, influence and more in the essays that accompany the strips themselves, in this thoughtfully edited collection.

And, what strips they are!  Brandon-Croft (then just Barbara Brandon) had – and still has! as testified by the more recent internet posted strips – a strong, clean, highly expressive and visually appealing line.  Her figures were minimal – limited almost entirely to head and hands – and entirely female, but each of the nine adult characters has a distinct personality that shines through in these witty, insightful and important strips. 

Get an in-depth take on this volume by checking out Robert Ito's excellent piece in The New York Times, HERE.