MOME Fall 2008

MOME #12

by Gary Groth (Editor), Eric Reynolds (Editor)

Since its inception in 2005, MOME has bridged the gap between the contemporary graphic novel scene and the current cutting-edge literary scene, serving as a perfect sampler of today's best young graphic novelists in a quarterly format that sits as handsomely on the newsstand alongside journals like McSweeney's and Paris Review as it does in the graphic novels section. Volume 12 welcomes back renowned graphic novelist David B. (Epileptic) for the first time since the fourth volume. MOME also features returning regulars Jonathan Bennett, Sophie Crumb, Andrice Arp, Paul Hornschemeier, Kurt Wolfgang, Eleanor Davis, Zak Sally, Tom Kaczynski, Dash Shaw, 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 Plus, several other surprises from some of the best new talent in comics. 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, Comix, Anthologies, Humor, Fiction

120 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2008

Reviews

[Drew Canole · Rating 3 out of 5]

David B.'s long story here saves the day.

[Rick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The graphic equivalent of the literary journal returns with its twelfth quarterly issue featuring 18 original contributions by the likes of Sophie Crumb, Ray Fenwick, Olivier Schrauwen, Dash Shaw, Al Columbia, Derek Van Gieson, Sara Edward-Corbett, and Paul Hornschemeier. While the quality fluctuates throughout, exemplary pieces by Nate Neal, Tom Kaczynski, Jon Vermilyea, Killoffer, and the always reliable David B. elevate this unique anthology above the standard fare, showcasing a series ground-breaking graphical story-telling realities

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the standout MOMEs of the year with an amazing story by Olivier Schrauwen, Ray Fenwick, Nate Neal, Jon Vermilyea and David B. MOME is always good, but this is one of the best.

[Jesús · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aside from David B.’s phenomenal tale, “The Drum Who Fell in Love,” this issue of MOME is weak-to-bad, and more than a few of the pieces collected here have not aged well at all. Ick. In contrast to the prior issue, there’s a lot more of the puerile and mean-spirited old guard (pretty much all white dudes) than there are any exciting new comics voices.

The only reason I’m rating this higher than a single star or two is for the David B. joint.

[StrictlySequential · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains a prose story (that I skipped).

This is moderately good as a whole in both story and art but there are some that really stink up the book in laziness and/or stupidity. *** is kind of generous actually.

Sophie Crumb's two page "porno funnies" = *****
David B.'s "The Drum That Fell In Love = ****
Killoffer's pants poopery = *
The rest = *-**

[Reid]

Olivier Schrauwen's story is my favourite from this issue.

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the drawings by Nate Noel a lot and laughed aloud when reading Hair Types by Olivier Schrauwen :) These were all new cartoonists for me.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

great comic by by david b. sophie crumb's comics made me chuckle as always.