MOME Fall 2005

MOME #2

by Gary Groth

MOME: (MOME) N. 1. (archaic) blockhead; fool. 2. the cutting-edge of literary comics for the 21st century.
This accessible, reasonably priced, quarterly anthology will run approximately 136 pages per volume and spotlight a regular cast of a dozen of today's most exciting cartoonists. Designed by acclaimed designer and cartoonist Jordan Crane ("The Clouds Above"), "MOME" will feature an iconic design and consistent format that should quickly establish the anthology as the most distinctive and accessible anthology of literary comics available.
"MOME" is the first all-comics literary anthology designed to sit alongside publications like "Granta, The Baffler, McSweeney's," et. al., and is designed to appeal as much to fans of contemporary literary fiction as longtime comics fans. "MOME" will feature the same collective of artists every issue, allowing the artists and audience to grow together and build an ongoing identity that is highly unusual for the world of contemporary comics (where many authors publish sporadically by literary standards, given the labor intensive nature of comics).

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Short Stories, Anthologies, Humor, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sooraya Evans]

Tolerable art. But such lousy stories.
For instance, Anders Nilsen's 'Event' was just a bunch of squares.
What the hell was that all about?

[Jesús]

A collection of lackluster comics by otherwise good cartoonists. This issue does, however, include a worthwhile interview with Gabrielle Bell.

[Jordan]

Mome is a very experimental anthology. If that sounds like your thing, you will probably find it worthwhile. If that sounds awful, don’t bother

As with every anthology, the quality varies from story to story. The weird nature of the stories means that which is “the best” is VERY subjective. People will connect to different stories for seemingly random reasons

Anyway, I recommend trying the series. If you wait for a sale on Comixology you could probably get the first one for like $5

[Kirk]

Some of this work I had already read in other collections.

It’s a fun variety of work. Some of it ends too abruptly because it is serialized work that spans multiple volumes. Sometimes there’s not even enough to get invested.

The short happenings are fun. Just stories about something that happened in another’s life. Those work well for these shorter stories.

I think I’ll take a break from these for a while, maybe come back when I need a break from longer books and graphic novels.

[StrictlySequential ArtNarrative]

Groth interview with G. Bell is way too long.

[Robert]

Several good short stories this was a nice change in pace: This was a Good Read.

[Ana]

It's an interesting collection of short comics. I can't say I particularly enjoyed all of them, but some were definitely more my style.

I'm glad I got to be introduced to some new artists.

[Joshua Williams]

More slurs in this volume than I'd expect. 2005 was lawless

[Al McCarty]

There’s some talent in here, but a lot of it is boring and self-indulgent. Some laughs. Same artists as the first.

[Emilia P]

Lots of this was surprisingly enjoyable -- that Anders guy was great, some nice sad stories about being a grown up, a little too much vulgar languagey stuff (sometimes I like that, but it was sort of without purpose here), but I liked how the stories and totally different styles flowed into each other! Sort of like a comics mixtape. Looking into purchasing some good comics quarterly compilations seems like a slightly great idea after reading this. Yes.

[Corilla]

Mome is a comic compilation and a great way to keep tabs on current comic artists. Many of the artists are great at illustration, but I find many of the story plots lacking and those that are compelling end too suddenly. Some are continued in following issues of Mome. Even though disapointing at times,it's a great tool for finding new underground artists.

[Emily]

I liked most everything in this.

[Mikael Kuoppala]

A beautiful collection of innovative art comics from around the globe. I need to read more of these.

[Patrick]

Mediocre read, mediocre art, mediocre stories.

[Linden Seaman]

I liked some of the stuff in it, but some of the comics were just completely uncomfortable and not on a level of humor I appreciated because of its crudeness and lack of respect for people.