MOME Fall 2007

MOME #9

by Eric Reynolds, Gary Groth (Editor)

A new direction for the popular comics anthology.
The acclaimed quarterly comics anthology welcomes several new artists along with returning regulars Jonathan Bennett, Sophie Crumb, Andrice Arp, Paul Hornschemeier and Kurt Wolfgang. Among the newcomers are rising stars Eleanor Davis, T. Edward Bak, Zak Sally, Tom Kaczynski, Joe Kimball and Ray Fenwick. Tim Hensley also returns with more of his brilliant "Wally Gropius" strips, as do fan-favorites Al Columbia and R. Kikuo Johnson
As a special feature in this volume, "MOME" proudly features a 45-page Jim Woodring graphic novella, "The Lute String." This story, previously published only in Japan, features Woodring's signature characters--Frank, Pupshaw, and Pushpaw--in a universe-bending saga that finds the trio in a very unexpected world of flying, shrieking demons and bulbous-faced monsters."MOME" is an accessible, reasonably priced quarterly running approximately 120 pages per volume, mostly in color, and spotlighting the most exciting new storytellers in comics along with special surprises. "MOME" is quickly earning a reputation as one of the premier literary anthologies on the shelves, and the only one comprised almost entirely of comics.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Anthologies, Humor, Fiction, Comix

120 pages, Paperback

First published October 17, 2007

About the author

Eric Reynolds is a Seattle-based cartoonist, critic and comics editor who is the Vice-President and Associate Publisher for Fantagraphics Books. His work has appeared in The Stranger, The Comics Journal, The New York Times, The New York Press and other publications. He has edited or co-edited The Complete Crumb Comics, Angry Youth Comics, Dirty Stories and MOME and has inked some of Peter Bagge's comics.

Reviews

[S̶e̶a̶n̶ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rereads for some of these that have been collected elsewhere. The Evenson/Sally collaboration was just as crushing the second time around. Classic Pim and Francie strip from Al Columbia. The rest were of mixed appeal. Great Jim Woodring cover!

[Sooraya Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh!

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The quality varies, but the Jim Woodring story in this and the next volume boost this up another star. Easily one of his best, just outstanding.

[Bob Comparda · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some pretty good stuff in here, especially towards the end, but all in all this was probably my least favorite issue I've read so far. There were a lot of weird short comics, black and white comics, comics with too much going on in the artwork, and also a lot of repeat writers. The good ones were great though, and I continue to enjoy the MOME series and finding new writers.

Ray Fenwick - Some Advice ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tim Hensley - Shh! ⭐⭐
Ray Fenwick - Fists of Confusion ⭐⭐
Al Columbia - Pim & Francie ⭐⭐⭐
Ray Fenwick - The Saddest Wizard ⭐⭐
Tim Hensley - Gropius in "Ring Tones" ⭐⭐
Ray Fenwick - Romance Scenario in Which I Steal Your Lady ⭐⭐⭐
Eleanor Davis - Thomas the Leader ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jim Woodring - The Lute String, Part 1 ⭐⭐
Gabrielle Bell - Nightmare Rescue ⭐⭐⭐
Andrice Arp - To the Delaware Pilots ⭐
Gabrielle Bell - Physical Knowledge ⭐⭐
Joe Kimball - The Lifer ⭐
Mike Scheer - Ballpoint Pen Gallery ⭐⭐⭐
Gabrielle Bell - Long-Term Investments ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tom Kaczynski - 976 sq. ft. ⭐⭐⭐
Brian Evenson (adapted by Zak Sally) - Dread ⭐⭐⭐
Kurt Wolfgang - Nothing Eve, Part 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tim Hensley - Jillian in "The Argument" ⭐⭐⭐
Paul Hornschemeier - Life with Mr. Dangerous, Part 7 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sophie Crumb - Lucid Night-Mare, Part 4 ⭐
Ray Fenwick - The Message ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ray Fenwick - Tha Beholda ⭐⭐

[Malcolm Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four outstanding comics in this issue.

1. Thomas The Leader by Eleanor Davis. For me, everything she does is good, great or outstanding. This is great, a story of accidental cruelty? Or the trials of going through puberty?

2. The Lute String part 1 by Jim Woodring. As I was reading this I realised I was really tense, waiting for something grotesque and bewildering to happen. Brilliant.

3. 976 sq. ft. by Tom Kaczynski. I used to live in a place that I hated, that gave me panic attacks as I was walking home. This gentrification story put me back there. I'm happy I don't live there any more.

4. Dread by Zac Sally (and Brian Evenson). You could say this is barely a comic, it's mostly just words. You'd be wrong. I felt like I was inside someone's intrusive thoughts. Great stuff.

Most of the rest of this issue did nothing for me, although the single-pagers from Gabrielle Bell made me cackle.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Gropius had the most bizarre ending I can remember -you flip the page and the scene changes so drastically I must make mention- but that does not make the story, like every installment, into anything better than a modern style Archie that's twisted into stupidity without anything above a mute semi-chuckle.

[Al McCarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aside from Woodring, I am largely indifferent towards the contents.