Recently Read: Battling Boy, by Paul Pope

Joyous, lively, fun, suspenseful and vital cartooning from maestro Paul Pope. It's great to read a new story with new characters and new worlds. You can tell Paul was totally invested in this story; his art, pacing and mise en scene have the kind of attention to detail and bold composition that harken back to THB and even earlier.

I am disappointed with First Second's presentation of the work, likely no fault of Paul's. Firstly, the art is printed too small (smaller than a floppy comic). Paul's art is expansive, brash and bold, and at times it felt like I was reading this book on a Droid. Secondly, there's no introduction, no words from Paul on the work itself, nothing to put the work in any sort of context. Lastly, the story just ends midstream, with no info on or in the book as to when or if the work will come to completion. It's a shoddy way to package major work from a major cartoonist.

Needless to say, I relish more and bigger Battling Boy. Buy it ASAP and see if you don't agree!

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