Now #2: The New Comics Anthology

Now #2

by Eric Reynolds (Editor), Roberta Scomparsa, Tobias Schalken

The second issue of Now showcases a cover by painter Christian Rex Van Minnen, as well as over 100 pages of all new short fiction by a host of established and upcoming talent, including: Canadian artist and musician Nick Thorburn (of the bands Unicorns and Islands); Spanish cartoonist Roberta Scomparsa, making her English language debut; Crickets cartoonist Sammy Harkham; Dutch cartoonist Tobias Schalken; Los Angeles graphic novelist Graham Chaffee (Good Dog, To Have and To Hold); plus several other surprises.

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

121 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2018

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

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the stories in the last half more than I did those in the first half. However, I need to go back and reread to get a more complete sense of this collection. This one didn’t resonate with me in ways that the first volume did...but again, another reading may have me feeling differently.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second strong collection of new comics from Fantagraphics--a welcome replacement for Mome.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even when I don't get what's going on, the artwork is still interesting and there's so much variety. Really enjoying this series so far. This was even a little better than the first.

[Radwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's impossible to have a connection to each story, but I did find some new favs.

favorites from this issue: samuel by tommi musturi - dr charles humbard by joshua coller (especially the art, not so much the story) - a perfect triangle by ariel lopez v. - photo case by joseph remnant

[Dan Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3 stars.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was ok, but too many directionless or anticlimactic stories mish-mashing half baked ideas. A fair amount of predictability in substance as well. I've noticed that the current generation of cartoonists doesn't seem to recognize the value of wit as much, which can compensate for a lot when a cartoonist is weak in other areas. It seems the goal in this particular issue is to be different, but not necessarily good.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit boring, unfortunately. Dash Shaw, James Turek and the single page from Sammy Harkham were the highlights. The rest wasn't bad but it really wasn't compelling. Cliche psychedelia, boring historical pieces, etc.

[Karl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is somewhat of a Version 2.0 of Fantagraphics critically acclaimed anthology series MOME. Similar idea of showcasing mostly unknown artists in an inexpensive collection. And like MOME, I loved the majority of the contributions with only a couple of clunkers.

The highlights for me were Susan Jonaitis and Graham Chaffee’s incredible “Sharpshooter”. Ariel Lopez V’s “A Perfect Triangle” and Anuj Stestha’s “National Bird”.

Well established artists Sammy Harkham, Joseph Remnant, and Dash Shaw make appearances here. The strongest of the three was Remnant’s “Photo Case”. In my opinion, this story was a marked improvement in storytelling over his recently released Cartoon Clouds (Fantagraphics) book. Of note, the Remnant piece was also the strongest artwork in this volume.

Having read NOW #1 I can confidently say that this series is on a strong path to establishing itself as a comparable anthology series to Kramer’s Ergot or The Best American Comics series.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A top-notch comics anthology. I haven’t yet read the first issue yet, but I definitely want to pick up a back-issue of it now.

As with all anthologies, some pieces are better than others. I particularly liked Tommi Musturi’s “Sammuel,” Ariel López V.’s “A Perfect Triangle,” Dash Shaw’s “Ford,” and Anuj Strestha’s “National Bird.”

That’s not to say I didn’t like the rest — I genuinely enjoyed the whole book, cover to cover.

[Jude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this graphic novel. It was a little odd and I didn't really understand some of the stories. That was compensated by the art however, the feeling of intrigue that loomed over me as I went through the pages.

[Comics Alternative · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://comicsalternative.com/episode-...

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantagraphics has a real knack for identifying great talent.

[Daniel Mossop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to see a variety of new and upcoming artists, the stories might not stay with you but some will definitely make you think and can be entertaining at the very least.

[Grg · Rating 4 out of 5]

No masterpieces like in the first issue, but still a very strong collection of short comics.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this anthology series!

[Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[tinaathena]

Not my fave of these but best cover so far