ITDN

by Andy Burkholder

ITDN collects a series of comics released from 2011–2014 by "ITDN Group," a seemingly plural entity solely comprised of Andy Burkholder. A follow-up to Qviet, this collection documents the artist's earlier years, providing insights into his explorations of the themes and concepts that underpin many of his more broadly received works.

"One morning at a gig space in Baltimore I watched Andy Burkholder pick up a tube of leftover frosting and use it to casually draw a simple but legible comic strip onto a piece of cardboard. His uninhibited intelligence and direct style create the conditions for breakthrough work. ITDN is the laboratory from which his later achievements have emerged."—Bill Kartalopoulos, series editor for Best American Comics

"Andy Burgholder drives well. His mother has a nice car. I initially thought it was his car and wondered how he could afford a car."—Simon Hanselmann, author of Megahex

"ITDN is a safari through the wilderness of human behavior. What you're going to see is a mess. You'll need a stick to tame this book... and a lifetime to read it. Better bring your gun."— Anna Haifisch, author of The Artist

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2016

Reviews

[Gabriel Infierno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I have a lot to say about this surprising book, this is the first time I read this author, the book has 12 zines or comics, I'm not going to say what the histories are about because a couple are really abstract so I think it comes to personal interpretation, it start with "introduction", that it's just amazing I read it like eight times, it's like a mantra, I love it, after that it's has a couple of titles very humorous in a strange way and then "the fury", that is also humorous but I have to put it apart because it's so original and funny and amazing, I personally feel reflected in "changes", "the tendersons", acid humor, I like that, and end up with "additional supplements" more geniality. I am really amazed by this, this is geniality in comic. I reaaally recommend give it a try is something new and original so it's no harm.

[Nate D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whatever you may be doing, if it fits into a bunch of boxes, it's probably a comic. I promise that I'm not mocking this. It's not amazing, but it totally works in its anything-goes-just-do-it energy, and a few moments actually are amazing.

[DongWon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly pleasant train of thoughts. Cute, rude, and annoyingly playful from cover to cover. The book questions what comics is and what our relationship with the medium is/should be.

[San Diego Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

ITDN is comic book containing 11 "stories" and an additional excerpt of bits and pieces by artist Andrew Burkholder. The title itself is a pseudo-acronym - it doesn't actually stand for anything and is in fact just 4 random letters. Strange? You haven't seen anything until you open the book.

]"I'VE ALWAYS FELT HALF A CHRIS."

You can read this entire review at San Diego Book Review

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

On object vs its name/word, transformation and repetition, words and images, point of view, sexism, war, violence, art, and sensory effects of comics.
Burkholder studies dialectics of comics, art, and society in general. Highly recommended for anyone interested in comics' formal qualities.

[MariNaomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like a long, disturbing visual pun. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I especially loved A Poetic Conception of Reality, CHRIS, and the introduction.

[Maria]

“Changes” and “Chris” were my favorite.