Critically acclaimed Park Slope cartoonist Adrian Tomine appeared at Books Are Magic
Brooklyn BookBeat
Adrian Tomine is a Park Slope resident who has garnered critical acclaim for his drawings. He began self publishing his comic book series “Optic Nerve” when he was 16. His comics have been anthologized in publications such as McSweeny’s, Best American Comics and Best American Nonrequired Reading. His graphic novel “Shortcomings” was a New York Times Notable Book of the year. Since 1999, Tomine has been a regular contributor to the New Yorker.
His latest book “Killing and Dying” has enjoyed more than six months on the New York Times Best Seller list and received a rave review from the same institution. “Killing and Dying” is now available in paperback, with an updated cover and French flaps. As part of his 2018 winter tour, Tomine was in conversation with New York Times critic Jason Zinoman on Feb. 6 at Books Are Magic at 225 Smith St.
With this work, Tomine reaffirms his place not only as one of the most significant creators of contemporary comics, but as one of the great voices of modern American literature. His gift for capturing emotion and intellect resonates: the weight of love and its absence, the pride and disappointment of family, the anxiety and hopefulness of being alive in the 21st century.
In six interconnected, darkly funny stories, Tomine forms a quietly moving portrait of contemporary life. Each of the stories in “Killing and Dying” is unique and visually arresting. “Amber Sweet” shows the disastrous impact of mistaken identity in a hyper connected world; “A Brief History of the Art Form Known As Hortisculpture” details thee invention and destruction of a vital new art form; “Translated, from the Japanese,” is a lush, full-color display of storytelling through still images; the title story centers on parenthood, mortality and stand-up comedy.
Adrian Tomine is a master of the small gesture, equally deft at signaling emotion via a subtle change of expression or writ large across landscapes illustrated in full color. “Killing and Dying” is a fraught, realist masterpiece.
Leave a Comment
Leave a Comment