Blind Alley: The First Year

by Adam de Souza

This volume collects the first year of the comic strip "Blind Alley".

It's a story about growing up in the strange and lonely neighbourhood of Blind Alley.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

134 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2022

About the author

My name is Adam de Souza and I am based in the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, British Columbia. I write and draw comics, illustrate children’s books, and have worked as a freelance designer in animation.

My first graphic novel The Gulf released through Tundra Books in March 2024. I’m currently working on a few unannounced projects as well as my on-going and award-winning comic strip Blind Alley. You can also read the first chapter of my comic strip Brambles online.

Reviews

[Laura Pancoast · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my coworkers at the library (hello Hunter) introduced me to these comic strips and then lent me No. 1, 2, and 3, and I am addicted. Feels like a mix of Calvin and Hobbs and Over the Garden Wall with the same sort of mysterious, cozy, nostalgic feelings. After finishing No.1, there are so many unanswered questions and little mysteries that I need answers to. It seems a majority of the comic strips are kind of standalone moments or little snippets of life but then you unexpectedly get one of those little mysteries woven in that gives you a sneak peek into something bigger going on in Blind Alley. Each of the characters have such loveable quirks and expressions and I am just such a big fan of the art style. Definitely going to need to purchase my own copies when they are reprinted.

[Timothy Ruud · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my coworkers at the library (hello Hunter) introduced me to these comic strips and then lent me No. 1, 2, and 3, and I am addicted. Feels like a mix of Calvine and Hobbes and Over the Garden Wall with the same sort of mysterious, cozy, nostalgic feelings. After finishing No. 1, there are so many unanswered questions and little mysteries that I need answers to. It seems a majority of the comic strips are kind of standalone moments or little snippets of life but then you unexpectedly get one of those little mysteries woven in that gives a sneak peek into something bigger going on in Blind Alley. Each of the characters have such loveable quirks and expressions and I am just such a big fan of the art style. Definitely going to need to purchase my own copies when they are reprinted.

[Jesse Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere the honesty and pathos of year 1 “Peanuts” strips intersects with the narrative/non-narrative synthesis of “The Sopping Thursday” and other short-form Gorey work, and off of that intersection is a little blind alley full of rapscallions and ne’er-do-wells, waiting for the right person to stumble across them. Sublime.

[François Vigneault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, discursive, and more than a little disjointed, Adam De Souza's comic strip "Blind Alley" follows the low-key adventures of a group of highly independent children (parents make a fleeting appearance in the first episode before vanishing from sight) in the fields, backlots, and treetops of their strange neighborhood. Blind Alley's residents are very cute, with memorable designs that feel as if they've been around for ages, some of the kids spend their days dressed as skeletons, wolves, and vampires, giving the book a charmingly Hallowe'en-y feel. De Souza's drawings are instantly engaging, with a casual, sketchy quality that makes everything feel cozy yet authentic.

As with an old-school newspaper comic strip, the nominal narrative of the strip so far is very vague, most of the four panel strips are more about establishing a vibe or delivering a bit of laconic humor rather than advancing the overarching plot. There are some nods at continuity and you get the feeling that De Souza is slowly agglomerating ideas, relationships, and concepts that might blossom in time. There were moments I was hoping De Souza would get back to certain especially intriguing threads, but "Blind Alley" proceeds at its own pace and won't be rushed. The work clearly benefits from an improvisational approach, and if the reader goes with the flow I think they will be well-rewarded. It feels a lot like the earliest issues of Anders Nillsen's "Big Questions" or Jon Lewis' "True Swamp," and you have to wonder how far De Souza might take these adorable characters; there are already hints of darkness and complexity in the margins of the work.

These comics are available online at www.blind-alley.com, but the collection is a lovely object that is well worth picking up, with a small, nearly-square trim size and lightweight newsprint pages that feel wonderful in the hand. I was pleasantly reminded of paperback collections of comic strips which I read at the public library back in the 1980s.

This collection of meandering, comics is sure to please fans of "Calvin and Hobbes," "Sunny" by Taiyo Matsumoto, "Super Mutant Magic Academy" by Jillian Tamaki, and Tove Jannson's "Moominvalley" books. Recommended.

[YH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blind Alley features a cast of quirky kids going about their own lives - some of them have an overarching plot (the Wanderer finding his way to Blind Alley) and some are more episodic. It's very reminiscent of Peanuts/Calvin & Hobbes, with the kids musing about life in poignant and humorous ways; but there is a darker, more mysterious element to it here. The art style is charming and the textured, B&W look adds to the mystery of it all.

The series is actually online and I've been reading it there for a few years now! I'm so glad I had the chance to buy this from Gosh comics when Adam visited a few months back :) It's always nice to have something physical that you can flip through, especially for comics.

[Cail Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strange, delightful comic that teases out a multifaceted mystery. No adults, just a gaggle of kids, a dog and a creature that loves chocolate living in the sewers.

It’s a combination of Peanuts, Maurice Sendak, Tove Jansson and Twin Peaks. Recommended.

[amelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

the second book isnt on goodreads yet so im saying that i read this twice. what a lovely little collection of weirdo characters and introspective six year olds. i love the fact that this isn't just a collection of slice of life comics, but that there are clear plot lines that are actually developing and unfolding that reach into the second book as well. the silly, childlike feeling of the book paired alongside the unsettling deeper plotlines is awesome. so cool, reminds me of calvin and hobbes!

[James]

I read this online on the Blind Alley website, and not the actual book (which is hard to find), so I kind of cheated. Is the book any different from the comics collected on the website? I'm not sure.

Blind Alley is great. There's an obvious comparison to Peanuts, but the story is is a bit darker and strange. The kids in this comic venture outside into a fantasy world and the characters are a mix of oddballs and down to earth relatables. Highly recommended for the artwork alone.

[Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the prettiest, creepiest and coolest thing I’ve read in… ever? There’s something horrible happening under the very cute and fun kids-off-school surface and there’s not mix I like better than that.

[Sam Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky and wholesome, but with a tinge of mystery. If peanuts was surrealist.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible comic, super entertaining, and I am very attached to the various characters this comic holds.

[Elsa]

que monada por favor

[Nicholas Mantione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely comic by a phenomenal artist.

[Robert Faux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peanuts with more pathos. Beautifully illustrated.

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit, this is perfect