Abstract Comics: The Anthology
“A revealing, thought-provoking and genuinely lovely book that I'll be sure to be rereading in the months to come.” (Chris Mautner - Robot 6)“Besides being a beautifully done work of artistry and imagination, among particular crowds [Abstract Comics] spurs the question 'If these are comics, then what "are comics"'?” (Neil Cohn - Emaki.net)“The collection has a wealth of rewarding material, some of it awkward, some groundbreaking—on the whole, it is a significant historical document that may jump-start an actual new genre.” (Doug Harvey - LA Weekly)“[Abstract Comics] is designed beautifully... The content serves as a great introduction to a genre of comics that few people knew existed. Molotiu takes somewhat of a scholarly approach to the content, placing the concept of abstract comics within art history in his introduction. He makes a good case... Overall, this is a cool concept and I was surprised by it. I think it’s definitely going to cause some debates about what comics are and are not, and that’s a good thing.” (Eden Miller - Comicsgirl)“Abstract Comics, perhaps more so than any other recent comic release, highlights the way in which the comics world is markedly changing. Comics are indeed reaching across more disparate audiences and being found in a much wider selection of venues. But what might be the implications of this?... If nothing else, it seems thatAbstract Comicsmakes explicit that the line between comics and high art is beginning to disappear....Abstract Comicsis a necessary addition to the comics canon in that it forces us to continue to think what exactly constitutes the comics form.” (Sara Cole - PopMatters)“Abstract Comicsexists as a testament to the fact that comics like these—investigations of rhythm, colour, layout—can indeed be created…a manifesto for the genre…these are all curious, inquisitive works of cartooning, regardless of their abstraction.” (Sean Rogers - The Walrus)“More proof that comics are truly an art form. They can be just as weird, surreal, absurd, artistic, expressive and transcendent as any other medium.” (Corey Blake)“The fact is that comics have always had an abstract artistic potential — and as far as my memory goes, one that is accepted by all worthwhile theoretical definitions of comics. But, until now, its role was secondary, relegated to isolated experiments. It is here that the anthology does its job: presenting an overview and organizing it,Abstract Comicscreates a movement. From it, abstraction in comics can move beyond an experiment and become a legitimate possibility — a process that began in the visual arts years ago.” (Eduardo Nasi - Universo HQ)“An abstract comic? What the hell is that? And more importantly, what’s the point of a comic if it doesn’t tell a story? These are the questions a book likeAbstract Comicsraises right off the bat. Thankfully, it also answers them. The anthology, edited by Andrei Molotiu, covers the time period of 1967-2009 and is in all respects a Serious (capital S) volume. ... Worth a look, for sure, and maybe more.” (Molly Young - We Love You So)“Handsomely designed and smartly edited, this anthology of non-narrative comics was one of the year's most unique releases. ...I appreciated all of the "stories" to one degree or another and the cumulative effect of "reading" them all together was thrilling.” (Patrick Markfort - Articulate Nerd)“Abstract Comicsis an important book... It is a truly groundbreaking book that points the way towards a whole new conception of comics and challenges readers and artists alike to explore this new area.” (Ed Howard - Only the Cinema)“What I liked, I liked for more than just the strips themselves—I liked them for the proof they offer that comics really is still a Wild West medium in which one's bliss can be followed even beyond the boundaries of what many or even most readers would care to define as 'comics.' That an entire deluxe hardcover collection of such comics now exists is, I think, one of the great triumphs for the medium in a decade full to bursting with them.” (Sean T. Collins)“An impressive collection of old and new work with unique pages covering exactly what the title says... bold... intriguing... This is a book for readers who like fine art or those who would like to expand their sequential art experiences. A hearty slap on the back for Fantagraphics for choosing to create this marvelous example of a widely unknown artistic expression.” (Kris Bather - Comic Book Jesus)“[I]t's fascinating to see what you can do with comics when you're dealing with non-representational, non-narrative imagery, stretching the limits of the medium.” (Matthew J. Brady)“Needless to say, one could study the art found withinAbstract Comics: The Anthologyfor months, or one could flip through the entire thing in five minutes, and the conclusions one could draw from either experience of the volume could easily be justified as informed and insightful.” (Alan David Doane - Comic Book Galaxy)“[G]oes one step beyond to leave the accepted definition of comics outdated, noting that the expressive possibilities of this medium and this language are still unknown.” (La Carcel de Papel)“Here’s a book that was initially attractive as an intriguing, if intellectual, curiosity, only to reveal itself in short order as a continually fascinating experience. ...Abstract Comicsis the most surprising book of the year.” (Rich Kreiner - The Comics Journal)“The anthology highlights the wide variety of approached taken to the combination of abstraction and sequential art—approaches resulting in work that is not only graphically bold, but also often proves to be surprisingly humorous or emotionally disturbing.” (The Geek Curmudgeon)“As a whole, I likeAbstract Comicsa lot. I’d say that it works like a good art exhibition, or at least an exhibition unburdened by obligations to teach history, one in which multiple formal and aesthetic connections are there but not shouted out, rather left to be discovered (or not) by the strolling viewer according to his or her inclinations.” (Charles Hatfield - Thought Balloonists)“Molotiu has created a fun and accessible anthology here, one that’s smart and well-researched but not in the slightest bit obtuse. You don’t need to be an art snob to appreciate it; you just need an open mind. With that, the reward forAbstract Comicsis quite lovely. And quite possibly a good opportunity for you to increase your appreciation for the comics format exponentially.” (John Hogan - Graphic Novel Reporter)“I said, 'It seems to me that when comics become abstract, they really cease to be comics and become, for all effective purposes, simply abstract art.' But this anthology, in its best work as well as in its not-best, shows that that's not true. Comics really are a coherent enough medium to support their own tradition of abstraction. That tradition doesn't quite exist yet. But, in this anthology, [editor] Andrei [Molotiu] shows conclusively that it could.” (Noah Berlatsky - The Hooded Utilitarian)“The artists assembled by Andrei Molotiu for his anthologyAbstract Comicspush 'cartooning' to its limits... It’s a fascinating book to stare at, and as with other kinds of abstract art, half the fun is observing your own reactions...” (Douglas Wolk - The New York Times Book Review)