graphic tips

Adrian Tomine's full-length graphic novel Shortcomings releases on October 2nd. That means over a hundred pages of the Berkeley native's irresistible clean-lined drawings & his incisive, witty portrayals of often self-absorbed & frustrated characters. A few people have criticized Tomine's emo sensibility in the remarkable Optic Nerve (of which issues 11-13 make up Shortcomings), but they'd probably prefer not to acknowledge their own similar experiences in the realm of relationships. Or they should just stick to "Stuff" magazine & let the rest of us ponder the ever-mysterious workings of the heart. October 16th brings Acme Novelty Library #18, in which Chris Ware continues his profoundly affecting "Building Stories." It's going to be a good month.

And if you haven't experienced Jason Lutes' Berlin, a supreme combination of story & illustration set in the Weimar Republic, then you need to rethink your priorities. The series is ongoing, with issue #13 in comic-book format available now, but Drawn & Quarterly has also collected the first eight in book form.

Just so you know.