A comiXologist Recommends

Megg and Mogg in Amsterdam @fantagraphics

by Simon Hanselmann @girlmountain

I still remember the first time someone showed me Simon Hanselmann’s work—his characters were already so distinct and hilarious, it was as if I was tuning into a sitcom that had been running for years, even though he had apparently just started posting his work online. He’s one of the most prolific indie cartoonists out there, but his work remains consistently weird and funny. Megg and Mogg in Amsterdam is a follow-up to Hanselmann’s first big collection, Megahex, and follows the same group of slacker roommates—Megg (a witch), Mogg (a cat) and Owl—as they hang out, party, and prank each other.

The book’s titular story is one of Hanselmann’s strongest pieces so far. Megg and Mogg attempt a “couple’s vacation” to Amsterdam, with their roommate, Owl, eventually joining them. Here, Hanselmann really shows off his storytelling skills and comedic timing while their dream vacation becomes a trippy nightmare. Hanselmann’s artwork is also incredibly appealing, with clear, cartoony lines and flat watercolors. It almost looks like a children’s comic, though the subject matter is definitely not for kids.

One of my favorite recurring storylines in this book involves the character Werewolf Jones—the biggest screwup in the series—and his attempt to start a business making felt hats, forcing his two young sons to help. In his mind, these hats are his key to money and success, and he’ll do anything to make them the next big thing—even if it involves making his kids to pose as garbage at an airport (don’t ask). Though Werewolf Jones is a terrible parent and an overall failure, I can’t help wondering what will happen to him next, alongside the rest of Hanselmann’s crew of weirdos.

Stephanie Mannheim is a Digital Editor at comiXology. She lives in Ridgewood, Queens and has no idea how to make felt hats.