Drawn & Quarterly

Canadian comics publisher Drawn & Quarterly has distinguished itself during its four years of publishing by releasing a wonderfully idiosyncratic series of comic book serials notable for an emphasis on autobiographical stories, loose expressive drawing styles and characters either stuck on or passing through the social margins. This beautifully produced trade paperback collects work from D&Q’s equally quirky, eponymous quarterly anthology and presents shorter pieces by some of the best young comic artists of the moment. Michael Dougan ( I Can’t Tell You Anything ) contributes “Black Cherry,” another of his “dumb job” stories that recreates the parade of oddballs and crazies that frequent an ice cream parlour where he used to work. Maurice Vellekoops (who contributed the richly colored, “scandalously” funny cover art) presents “The 8 pillars of Gay Culture” and “Homoman,” both of which happily exploit gay sterotypes (“ `did you hire a decorator?’ `Of course not; I’m a homosexual.’ ”) with mischievous, politically incorrect wit. Also note Debbie Drechsler’s disturbing (and nicely drawn) “Visitors in the Night” on child sexual exploitation; and Joe Matt, Mr. Peep Show himself, who would like to share his darkest secret with us–it’s crude and very funny–whether we want to know it or not. Also includes Carol Tyler, Roberta Gregory, David Mazzucchelli, Mary Fleener and others.