The Nib #5

The Nib #5

by Matt Bors (Editor)

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Graphic Novels Comics, Anthologies

Unknown Binding

About the author

Matt Bors is a cartoonist, writer, editor, and the founder of The Nib. He was a Pulitzer Prize Finalist for his political cartoons in 2012 and 2020 and is the co-writer of the dystopian satire Justice Warriors with Ben Clarkson.

His cartoons have appeared in The Nation, The Guardian, CNN, The Intercept, and were collected in the book We Should Improve Society Somewhat. He also drew the graphic novel War Is Boring written by David Axe.

Reviews

[Khris Sellin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This did not live up to the usual quality for me. Ok, maybe it was the baby goats that ruined everything for me. Yeah, it was definitely the baby goats.
Oh, hi, mamma goats, I’m pregnant farmer lady and I’m gonna hang out in the barn and bond with you while I’m in labor with my baby after you’ve just given birth to your baby goats. Then I’m gonna sell those baby goats for meat. That’s how heartfelt that bonding session was. Despicable.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So proud I subscribe to this publication!

Another solid issue full of creative pieces from amazing artists and writers.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Sometime a depressing gut punch but not ALWAYS and 100% excellent/worth your time. Cover art from Lisa Hanawalt is only an added bonus.

[Gab Hausi · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a fantastical read! As a fan of animals myself I am highly critical of how my love and actions affect those creatures that surround us, both in spaces like my local park and a faraway jungle. These stories definitely provided an interesting view on our relationship with animals. Our love for them can be our only escape, but it can also drive them to extinction. What I would like is more understanding of animals. They're not ours, they're not perfect kind souls. They're just there, just like we are.

The art in this zine was so beautiful and spiring; the last panel of 'Gef the Talking Mongoose' will stay in my brain for quite a long time. I related to the rodent experience of Molly Brooks, the early anthropomorphisation of animals as a way to seek love and understanding. 'Caged Lives' had beautiful stories that remind me why I love animals and why I should love just 'being'. But as many of these stories, they impart some tough knowledge to chew on. Our injuring of animals affects our own species. It was great to learn about the Boto Cor-De-Rosa and get a reminder of why I have always hated bullfighting.

Overall, a beautiful and important read that made me think about our relationship with animals while also inspiring me to make some art. 10/10!

[Matt Graupman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read - and enjoyed - the bits and pieces I read online, I decided to subscribe to “The Nib” and this was the back issue that they sent me along with the latest edition. As expected, the full-length magazine was entertaining, educational, and positively jam-packed full of indie comics goodness. There’s a great variety of art styles, topics, and perspectives. More comics anthologies, please!

FAVORITES:
“Caged Lives” by Mansoor Adayfi & Kane Lynch: A Guantanamo detainee recounts the wild animals he befriended after finding their way into the prison.
“Bleating Heart” by Arwen Donahue: An exploration of the meat industry’s slow acceptance of goats and how raising them affected the author’s family.
Strip by Lucy Knisley: Another nocturnal adventure starring her cat, Linney!

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong issue of The Nib magazine! The standout stories for me from this collection were "Cages Lives" by Mansoor Adayfi and Kane Lynch about the animals seen by prisoners in Guantanamo; "Bleating Heart" by Arwen Donahue about raising goats for milk and meat; "The Legend of Boto Cor-De-Rosa" by Laura Athayde about a Brazilian myth of a dolphin who transforms into a seductive man and how it covers a culture of male violence; and "Stealing Rainbows" by Dorian Alexander, Sarah Mirk, and Levi Hastings about the illegal smuggling of tropic birds.

[Megan Hex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great edition. Mansoor Adayfi’s story of Guantanamo Bay prisoners interacting with the animals around them is definitely the highlight for me (though Lucy Knisley’s nocturnal cat escapades are extremely relatable...)

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the cutest one so far? And I cried less than expected!

[Eblison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Nib is a weird but brilliant periodical collecting weird but brilliant cartoons. Educational, surreal, I might have even created a golem by reading it. A new staple on my graphic novel shelf.

[C.S. Malerich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven, as all collections are. But worth it.

[Nick Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This issue is a strong one! I like the diverse animal focused stories. One of my favourite comic artists even has a comic in this issue. The masthead and the Endings are also great features! I am less into the cover art, but not everything has to be for me specifically!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild.

[kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely collection of comics! I haven't read any other issues from this publication, but I am definitely interested now. The theme of "animals" included all kinds of comics, from infographics, cool illustrated facts, personal pet stories, illustrated legends, political/social animal rights comics, funny short strips, etc. by a ton of different artists, and they were all wonderful! My favorites were the infographics and illustrated animal facts. I also loved the different styles each artist used- there really was a wide variety.