A comiXologist recommends
MOME

For decades now, Fantagraphics Books has been one of the most important purveyors of art- and lit-leaning comics and graphic novels that the industry has ever seen. What makes the publisher so special is not just the consistently excellent quality of output, but the incredible spectrum of different approaches to the medium represented in their catalog. Even a casual reader knows that you can count on Fantagraphics for lavish reprints of the revolutionary undergrounds of the 1960s, complete collections of ‘80s and ‘90s indie classics, cutting edge talent from the modern moment, and even benchmark strip comics from the early 20th century. Few publishers ever achieve this level of diversity, where you can find Charles Burns right next to Charles Schulz on their proverbial shelves, and just as lovingly represented.

 Nowhere is Fantagraphics’ prismatic character so abundantly apparent as in its quarterly anthology Mome. Utilizing the blue-blooded format of a distinguished literary journal, editor Eric Reynolds diligently gave indie comics their due once a season from 2005 to 2011. For the novice who is drawn to the publisher’s aesthetically rich and esoteric content, but doesn’t know where to start, Mome remains a true gift. Each carefully curated volume offers work from around ten different artists from a multitude of styles and genres, and thoughtfully intermingles known quantities with brand new creators and deserving obscurities. The reader is treated to prime cuts from the publisher’s coterie of comics royalty, including Jim Woodring, Dash Shaw, Gilbert Shelton, and Lewis Trondheim; there are also tasty morsels from then-rising stars like Gabrielle Bell, Lilli Carré and Eleanor Davis; but tucked between these easy sells, one also finds gorgeous, challenging pieces from less available individuals like demented genius Al Columbia, the controversial memoirist David Heatley, mashup scientist Tim Hensley, and the infuriatingly scarce stylist D.J. Bryant. In case you want more insight into the meanings of and motivations behind these unusual comic creations, each issue includes an artist interview by Fantagraphics co-founder and publisher Gary Groth.

In the final estimation, whether you’re already indie literati or a naïve newcomer, Mome is for you. Pick a volume, any volume—we dare to not to find something you love.

Claire Donner is the supervisor of comiXology’s international production team.  As a cartoonist, she is the author of Guilty, published by Snakebomb Comics.  Her work has also appeared in the anthologies Electric Ant, published by Youth in Decline, and Jeans, published by Negative Pleasure Publications.