D-Tales by Tom Davidson
In 32 pages, Davidson uses the characters of Thomas and Martin to explore life, friendship, making a leap, and exploring the great unknown. Thomas is a housefly who doesn’t fly anymore for fear of two giant hands snatching him out of the air. Martin is a caterpillar who longs for a life outside of the potted plants that rest on the windowsill of a woman’s house.
Martin is the adventurous one of the pair. He keeps goading Thomas to take a chance, but Thomas remains fearful. The huge hands haunt him, so he stays where he is – walking around the rim of a potted plant. After Martin, inching his way to the top of a doorframe, escapes in the hair of the house owner, Thomas is forced to look at himself and his situation in a new way.
Davidson does a nice job of setting up this story. The art is pleasant, but Thomas looks a little bit like a super hero version of a housefly. He uses thick lines and lots of black ink in his work. I couldn’t help but think of Andy Runton’s excellent Owly books as I read this.

D-Tales is a rewarding story, but Davidson had to add an epilogue. That cruel bastard. Get your own copy at Watch Tom Draw for $2.50.

The Only Child by Warren Craghead, story by Erin Pringle

Warren Craghead’s illustration of Erin Pringle’s “The Only Child,” appearing in Barrelhouse, is nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Warren sent the SIZE MATTERS office a copy of the 20-page story, so lucky readers get to see something cool instead of that damn picture of Kate and I gearing up for the Super Bowl.

Warren Craghead created the lovely and amazing mini-comics Jefferson Forest, Thickets, and Jefferson Estates. (Each link, has a couple sample pages courtesy of USS Catastrophe.) I’ve always enjoyed Warren’s work for its restraint. He consistently blindsides you with the quiet nature of his faltering, often disappearing, line.

The work here is different. It’s more substantial, less fleeting. The lines are more solid, the structure of things doesn’t fritter away like it does in much of Warren’s mini-comics work. But “The Only Child” still has that unmistakable charm of the minis.
The children in “The Only Child” accompany their father to his office, only his office is anything but typical. It has drawers and filing cabinets, but they’re not filled with paper.

Grab your own copy of Barrelhouse to get the full story. It’s definitely worth any cover price to see 20 pages of Warren’s work. You can also check out his blog, Drawer for more of his work.

I’ll leave you with this little doodle from the back of the accompanying note: This perfectly captures what I like about Warren's work.

Go COLTS!!

Picture Box at Rocketship

This is one of those times that I hate living in the Midwest. Or as Tom would say: "If I Were In NYC, I'd Go To This."

If you're on the East Coast, don't miss this event. On February the 24th, the Picture Box gang will be at Rocketship (208 Smith Street, Brooklyn, New York 1-718-797-1348).

Paper Rad will have a new book. Matthew Thurber, one of the nicest and most talented new dudes in comics, will have a new book. And issue #3 of Cold Heat will be available.

Mmmmm, page 1 of Cold Heat #1.


Anyway thanks to pal Ed Cunard for pointing this out. I urge you to go to this if you're close. Picture Box puts out some amazing stuff. Their Chippendale Ninja book has mesmerized countless guests over the past month at the SIZE MATTERS offices.