The Best American Comics 2016 (The Best American Series ®) Hardcover – October 4, 2016

Roz Chast, one of the tenured practitioners of cartoon art, selected the 23 examples that comprise the 2016 “Best of American Comics.” And what a splendid selection it is. As Ms. Chast writes in her introduction, “We live in a golden age of comics. Not in the traditional newspaper sense, but often as graphic novels and memoirs…”This year’s book includes the work of the well-established -- Chris Ware, Joe Sacco, Lynda Barry and Ben Katchor -- some newcomers, Liana Finck and Taylor- Ruth Baldwin. The artists are mainly from the U.S. but there are several Canadian works as well; Genevieve Elverym’s wonderful and colorful piece, “Blanket Portraits” for example.The covers and end papers add to the pleasure. The foreword by series editor Bill Kartalopoulos explains the growth of the field from its newspaper comic strip days to the subculture of the specialty comic book market place; from superhero and other genre comics, to“alternative” comics and to the graphic novel (MAUS and JIMMY CORRIGAN – the SMARTEST Kid on EARTH.)End note: There’s probably no other place where the fan of today’s comics may, in one or two sittings, sample so much of the comic world work being done today. It was certainly an eye opener for me. So, if you want to be in the know, this is the book to hunt down and study.

Great review of American comics

Terrific collection! Fun to read and revisit. And revisit!

Adults Only by Lance Ward is the best story in the whole book.

Good.

Bought as a gift. I hope my sister likes it.

There have been better anthologies...

Compiling quite a few very interesting comics produced in the USA, this volume contains some amazing works from known and unknown artists which I truly enjoyed and must mention by title and author:- "Killing and Dying" by Adrian Tomine interesting story of family support in the context of crisis and sickness;- "R. Crumb and Me" by Drew Frieman, where a great comics artist brings us his biographical interaction with one of his idols;- "Milk" by Joe Sacco, it’s an excellent satire to our paranoia, security and technologically focused society;- "El Deafo" by Cece Bell, it’s a very good perspective regarding the loss of hearing seen in the perspective of a child;- "Broadside Ballads" by Kate Beacon, strips based in historical prints – funny and intelligent;- "Vintage Trash and Horse Bones" by Julia Wertz, a great way to teach history of places and people;- "Here" by Richard McQuire it’s fascinating and original, showing the same spots in different chronological timings but with the same motive;- "Dissident Years" by Nina Bunjevac Yuguslavia in the time of Tito, amazing art and bio;- "Shut your pie hole, Johnny Pinetop", by Joe Ollmann which brings us the story of a failed ventriloquist and the internal and external battles he had/have to fight.These works are truly unique and some of the best comics I’ve read. Unfortunately the editor really enjoys one type of story above any other – the biographical drama. Although when well done such as in several of the above mentioned stories, they become truly inspiring and one of the most important ways to empathize or even understand difficulties, frequently they simply descend into a simple and somewhat childish cathartic way for the author/artist to vent their sadness or anger…occasionally without even acknowledging their part and responsibility in their difficulties blaming everyone and everything in an external focus which shows a lack of wisdom. Almost half of this book has such stories, frequently with art which lacks quality or context. It is unbelievable how many amazing artists and comic writers were simply forgotten and unmentioned…the editor preferred yet another biographical drama similar to our own personal stories, drawn with chopstick figures…Even with this small criticism I have to thank the series editor and editor because some of the artists that created some of the remarkable works in this volume would have a difficult time promoting their work to a larger public. This is a very interesting volume with many artists that I will surely keep an eye on.

Another great addition to the series started in 2006. Good collection of famous and less well-known artists, all well worth reading and admiring. I glad I bought it!

I am an Indian person not living in the U.S. anymore. I love comics. This is my first Best American. I loved Roz's "Can we talk about...". I picked this because of Roz and was nervous I may not enjoy it. But I loved it. Not all her choices. But most of them. And the ones that are good are so good that they make up for the ones that didn't work for me.