Is This What Represents Chicago?

Granta 108 (The Chicago Issue)
256 pages published by Grove Press

Apparently this issue of Granta, issue 108, based entirely around Chicago (both in content and authorship), is the highest selling issue of Granta of all time. So, you're welcome, Granta.

But. But. This issue was kinda lame. The Chris Ware cover art is the best thing about the whole thing, which is strange because taking a look at the table of contents, there are some pretty impressive names. Just to name a few: Aleksandar Hemon, Stuart Dybek, Don DeLillo, George Saunders, Richard Powers, and the token Chicago writer, Sandra Cisneros. I mean, come on, those are some good names. But the results fall way short. I don't know what it was. Disappointing. Don't waste your time. Read the aforementioned authors but just read their books.

Chris Ware is One of The Greatest Artists Alive

Acme Novelty Library #20 by Chris Ware
72 pages
published by Drawn and Quarterly

Another addition to the world of Rusty Brown! This time we learn about Jordan Lint. Lint was introduced in the first Rusty Brown volume as a school bully.

This new story line follows Lint from birth to death, with each page representing a specific time in his life. The narrative and art work also represent each developmental, with the first few pages visually representing the world as a baby would see it and then as a toddler, a small child, a pre-teen, a teenager, etc. As the story progresses, the artwork and narrative become more and more complex, a la Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man by Joyce.

Ware pushed himself to experiment a little with this work and it worked out beautifully. If you have never had the pleasure of reading Chris Ware, you better get started.