In this anthology from Birdcage Bottom Book, 40 artists draw
tales of food and eating. A babysitter, aggressive in her vegan philosophy,
tells her poor little charge the real story of the three little pigs. Yes, it’s
scary, and yes, he gets nightmares. Ben Snakepit’s story about punk rock vegans
is simple and funny, while his drawings are minimal but focused, like Art
Spiegelman and Marjane Satrapi. Hazel Newlevant’s story Soul Food is all about food laws in different societies, with a
solid story and good artwork, it could be the start of a full-length book.
Newlevant’s style is similar to Lucy Knisley’s French Milk, but without all the narcissism and self-indulgence.
Best of all, it makes me hungry!
Marek Bennett goes
international for his story. He travels to see his hillbilly cousins, in
Slovakia, and sees how they’re eating habits are somewhat Spartan, right down
to the way they butcher a bull. A local farm, restricted by lack of funds, is
considered “organic” by European Union standards and makes a fortune selling
meat to Italy. Unfortunately the meat is too pricey for any of the locals, as
Slovakia has few jobs and everyone’s leaving. The story is great, but I’m not
sure about portraying the people as rabbits. It may have worked in Maus, but here there’s no reason for it.
Alex Robinson, of Box Office Poison and Too Kool 2 Be Forgotten, draws a comic
about picky eating. I was glad to see something by Alex Robinson, I’ve always
been a big fan of his.
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