Edited by Ariel Schrag. The "joys" of middle school are displayed here in all their angst-filled glory.  Ms. Schrag has managed to recruit an impressive array of comics talent to turn in 200 pages of teen turmoil, and, on top of that, to convince the venerable Viking publishing house to release it.  Included in this zit-poppin' anthology are works by Gabrielle Bell, Ariel Bordeaux, Robyn Chapman, Daniel Clowes, Vanessa Davis, Nick Eliopulos, Eric Enright, Jim Hoover, Cole Johnson, Joe Matt, Jace Smith, Aaron Renier, Ariel Schrag (2), Tania Schrag, Dash Shaw & Lauren Weinstein.  While the Dan Clowes and Joe Matt are reprints of previously published material, all the rest was, to the best of our knowledge, produced specifically for this anthology and is appearing here for the first time.  The stories cover typical teen concerns, but especially focus on the alienated outsider (which pretty much defines just about anyone at some point in their teenage years).  This is a book about teens that is both suitable for and will appeal to those currently in middle school, as well as those who have passed through and lived to tell the tale.  Here's a book you won't have to go out of your way to get a teen to read.  Special Bonus:  the Junior High photos of the contributors included in the biographical information at the back of the book may very well be worth the entire price of the book.  You may find yourself tempted to cut out your favorite and put it on your refreigerator (or in your wallet).

edited by Ivan Brunetti It's too early to say for certain, but this follow-up to Brunetti's already classic 2006 anthology, also published by Yale University Press, might just be even better than its precursor.  One thing's for certain:  Brunetti has held onto -- and further refined -- his editorial vision of arranging the work contained in this volume in an organic sequence, deftly managing to map out the similarities between artists so that each piece flows smoothly into into the other, creating an amazing sense of an innate connectivity between all areas of comics here on display.  This book is a powerful ally in the struggle to bring the light of comics to those poor souls still dwelling in the darkness.  It's the perfect choice to turn on a friend or relative to the joy, beauty and pleasures of our favorite medium.  Hold onto your hats, here's the contributor list:  Daniel Clowes, Saul Steinberg, Sammy Harkham, Chris Ware, R. Sikoryak, Michael Kupperman, Drew Friedman, Mark Beyer, Mack White, Jayr Pulga, Renee French, Kim Deitch, Richard Sala, J. Bradley Johnson, Archer Prewit, Anonymous (utility sketchbook), HJ Tuthill, Milt Gross, Bill Holman, Harvey Kurtzman, R.Crumb, Basil Wolverton, Art Spiegelman, Jess, John Hankiewicz, Tim Hensley, Bill Griffith, Richard McGuire, Gilbert Hernandez, Jim Woodring, David Collier, Eugene Teal, Charles Burns, Karl Wirsum, Gary Panter, Paper Rad, Fletcher Hanks, CF, Charles Forbell, Ron Rege, Jr., Winsor McCay, Matthew Thurber, Souther Salazar, Kevin Scalzo, Megan Kelso, James McShane, Laura Park, Vanessa Davis, Onsmith, Joe Matt, Jeffrey Brown, Martin Cendreda, Dave Kiersh, John Porcellino, Carrie Golus/Patrick Welch, Jessica Abel, Cole Johnson, Lynda Barry, Debbie Drechsler, Diane Noomin, Aline Kominsky-Crum, Ariel Bordeaux, Chester Brown, Anders Nilsen, Joe Sacco, Phoebe Gloeckner, Elinore Norflus, Brian Chippendale, Leif Goldberg, David Mazzuchelli, Jerry Moriarty, Ben Katchor, Frank Santoro, Dan Zettwoch, Kevin Huizenga, Harvey Pekar/R.Crumb, Carol Tyler, Maurice Vellekoop, Seth, Adrian Tomine, Jaime Hernandez & David Heatley.  It's simply amazing.  Comics Power!  PLEASE NOTE:  We feel compelled to mention that this volume includes several pieces that contain quite explicit sexual content; and while this content represents only a miniscule fraction of the total, it nevertheless renders this volume fit for ADULTS ONLY.

Cover: Tara Booth (USA) 

Contributors: Adriana Marineo (Italy), Alice Fiorelli & Andrea De Franco (Italy), Christopher Sperandio (USA), Cole Johnson (USA), Ema Gaspar (Portugal), Emma Roulette (USA), Franz Impler (Germany), Ganmu (China), Ilaria Boscia (Italy), Ilze Ance Kazaka (Latvia), Karlina Marta Zvirbule (Latvia), Konig Lu. Q. (Switzerland), Lea Loos (Germany), Lote Vilma Vitina (Latvia), Martins Zutis (Latvia), Oskars Pavlovskis (Latvia), Syhmen (Russia), Tara Booth (USA), Tor Brandt (Denmark), Toyoya Li (China), Triana Munoz (Spain), Wolfgang Matzl (Austria) and Yan Cong (China).

Bonus Copacetic Observation:  Wolfgang Matzl’s piece is one of the first we’ve come across to successfully build on Renee French’s work.

 

Spare, evocative, poetic, slice of life comics fill this 32-page, black and white, plus-size digest.  Cole Johnson has a fully formed comics voice that combines a concise line, an understanding of the space of a page, and, crucially,  a strong, organic sense of pacing.  These comics are a joy to read.  Check some (different ones) out online at http://johnsoncole.com .