Now 3: The New Comics Anthology

Now #3

by Anna Haifisch

The third issue of Now showcases a cover by acclaimed cartoonist Al Columbia (Pim Francie) as well as more than 100 pages of all new short comics fiction by a host of established and up-and-coming talent from around the globe, including: Anna Haifisch (Germany), Roman Muradov (San Francisco), Jesse Reklaw (Portland), Lucas Varela (France), Marcello Quintanhila (Brazil), Anne Simon (France), Roberta Scomparsa (Italy), and J.C. Menu (France). Plus, other surprises! Find out why Now is the most talked-about comics anthology in years.

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

120 pages, Paperback

First published May 29, 2018

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 2018 collection of new comics produced by Fantagraphics I picked up from the library mainly because it features a cover by Al Columbia, whose work is hard to find, to say the least, and always interesting. But I am also reading Anne Simon's strange Song of Aglaia, and she has some work in here I am finding interesting. Dash Shaw, Eleanor Davis, Noah Van Sciver, and Nick Thornburn are people I know well or have been reading lately that have pieces in here. Maybe my two favorite pieces here are Davis's "March of the Penguins" and Roberta Scomparsa's "The Jellyfish" that explore issues of sexuality, but I also like the lovely fantastical delicate drawing of Keren Katz's "My Summer at the Fountain of Fire and Water."

You know, these collections are uneven, but they give artists a chance to show their stuff and place "out there" work that is interesting and not necessarily commercially viable. Good on ya, Fantagraphics, for producing this series and getting this work win people's radar.

[Karl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology was really hit or miss for me. There was just too much weirdness and nonlinear art comic stuff for my liking.

I agree with Derek Royal, we needed a full Al Columbia story to give this book more creedance. Van Sciver is always great. Ben Passmore is a favourite but I didn’t love this story. Same with Dash Shaw and Eleanor Davis. I’m a fan of both but the material in the book wasn’t great. The surprise story for me was by Nathan Cowdry. Fantagraphics needs to sign him up for a book.

I’ve been a long time reader of Fantagraphics and have loved their anthology series in the past: MOME and Zero Zero. I’ll stick with this one and see what #4 offers.

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fascinating issue of NOW. Reynolds does a great job at bringing together a variety of creators, some better known and some brand new to me, so as to showcase the variety of styles and storytelling propensities of alternative or indie artists. The contributions range in this issue from more conventional -- and here I'd include Noah Van Sciver, Eleanor Davis, Marello Quintahilha, and Roberta Scomparsa -- to varying degrees of experimentation. Anne Simon's stories are fantastical and wild, Ben Passmore's "The Vampire" is a curious head-scratcher, and Jason T. Miles is just way out there. My only regret with this third issue is that Al Columbia only did the cover image. I would have loved to have seen another story from him, as it's been a while.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

One or two good cartoonists make up for a lot in an anthology such as this. Loved the Anne Simon pieces, which had a substantial page count. Her humor has a Kate Beaton-ish sort of literary whimsy that hit me spot on. Some of the other pieces were relatively successful as well, or if nothing else contributed to the sense of variety.

[Seven Pesos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. A collection of work by different artists, some better than others. I liked the stories with Pino and the horse-lady (by Anne Simon). I also liked"Jellyfish", "Wolf Nerd" and Jason T. Miles' "Untitled".

[Anadine Montro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful comics from start to finish. Some sad, some funny, all strange and captivating in their own ways. Plus Al Columbia did the cover art and that's reason alone to check it out.

[Daniel Mossop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the Al Columbia cover. It’s the same with all this comic series you will love some stories and others meh.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Few hits few misses

[tinaathena · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are always so good. It makes me feel like I'm in on a bunch of cool up and coming or under rated artists!

[Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discuss Fantagraphics' Now: New Comics anthology series in this entry of Harris' Tome Corner.

[Radwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this issue had more misses than hits for me. it concentrated on intimate stories, and more of them were too weird.

my favs were: Anne Simon's three part story that started with "The Lady Equina" - Deliver Me\Sweet Baby by Nathan Cowdry - Wolf Nerd by Noah Van Sciver