The Brinkley Girls: The Best of Nell Brinkley's Cartoons from 1913-1940
“Brinkley is a supremely talented artist with enough eccentricities to make her stand out from the crowd (the weaves of hair she piles on top of her heroines could rival the folds in Spawn’s cape).” (Chris Mautner - Robot 6)“This gorgeously produced, oversized, full-color selection primarily of her newspaper-serial work confirms that her work became more narrative as she progressed from single-subject conceptions to movie-poster-like collages to sequences sectioned by comics-like borderlines…she remained a lavish fashion illustrator at heart.” (Ray Olson - Booklist)“One title I haven't been able to put down isThe Brinkley Girls: The Best of Nell Brinkley's Cartoons from 1913-1940, edited by Trina Robbins... I was blown away by what I discovered within these pages... The images are sexy, glamorous, colorful -- Brinkley clearly appreciated and understood her subjects, and some of her work made me feel as if I were stepping right into the flapper era.” (Whitney Matheson - USA Today)“Trina follows up her thorough biography of Brinkley with this oversized collection of Sunday 'comics,' often more like ravishing illustrated romantic yarns of big hair, clothes and emotions, but stunning to linger over and revealing in their period mood and concerns. In their time, Brinkley’s spirited, vivacious females were as iconic and inspirational in early 20th century America as the famous Gibson Girls before her. They truly deserve this gorgeous commemoration.” (Paul Gravett)“Brinkley’s independent-minded and always pretty heroines pirouetted, waltzed, shimmied, and vamped their way through various adventures…For decades, the artist’s work had largely remained out of public view, until now…sumptuously designed, beautifully printed.” (Thomas Gladysz - The Examiner)“These full-page cartoons provide a glimpse of the color and spectacle that newspapers trafficked in before publishers decided we were worth no more than our dwindling supply of classified ads.... Like Nicholson Baker and Margaret Brentano'sThe World on Sundayand theLittle Nemoreprints by Sunday Press,The Brinkley Girlsreminds me of the age when newspapers were bigger than that.” (Steve Duin - The Oregonian)“Brinkley was praised for her writing (it’s easy to see why: overblown, yet so satisfying; maybe the only word to describe it is 'delicious') but her drawings made her famous. Each one is an orgiastic, atmospheric feast for the eye...The Brinkley Girlsis a tantalizing primer, and a perfect summer read.” (Macy Halford - The New Yorker)“Comics herstorian Robbins (The Great Women Superheroes) has produced a wonderful tribute to Brinkley, reprinting in full three serials and numerous shorter works with ample biographical background. With their swoon-worthy hair and wardrobes, the Brinkley Girls could kick off a whole new cosplay aesthetic.” (Library Journal)“To say they don’t make them like this anymore is a gross understatement...a very welcome introduction to an artist whose skills need to be seen to be believed, and an even more welcome reminder that newspapers used to offer readers a lot more than just news and commentary—they also used to offer honest-to-God fine art.” (J. Caleb Mozzocco - Las Vegas Weekly)“In a new collection of work by Nell Brinkley from Fantagraphics, beautiful girls travel the world in fabulous dresses, rescue and then marry their men, and generally have a lot of gorgeous fun…the Brinkley Girls came directly on the heels of the Gibson Girls…when the Brinkley Girls supplanted them, they did so with energy and action…fascinating work.” (Sasha Watson - Publishers Weekly)“While many have long been aware of the general attractiveness of Brinkley’s work, Robbins’ book forces us to look at her art in a way—and at a size—where some of the specifics of Brinkley’s appeal and the basis for her popularity become apparent…[Robbins] paints an overall picture of a fiercely independent cartoonist who learned over the years to work within a system to great reward without ever becoming dominated by it.” (Tom Spurgeon - The Comics Reporter)“The handsome hardcover collectionThe Brinkley Girlsbrings together a generous sampling of Brinkley’s work, leaning heavy on her stories of industrious women and the he-men they love... Brinkley’s art is so drop-dead gorgeous that readers may long to razor out every page to hang on the wall. [Grade] A-.” (The Onion A.V. Club)“Fantastic.... you would be doing yourself a favor by checking it out. Curse you, Fantagraphics, I'm trying to save money, you bastards.” (This Is Why I Hate You)