Tony Consiglio's Double Cross Assortment
Tony Consiglio's Double Cross: More or Less collection (reviewed on this page) won me over completely with its down-to-earth observational humour and autiobiographical excellence. I found this "Limited Edition Unauthorized Semi-Autobiographical" blah blah "Volume One" collection while perusing the mini-comics racks at The Million Year Picnic in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
It's also available for $5.00 on Consiglio's website, and it is highly recommended. There's a little duplication of material from the More or Less collection, but there's also some previously unseen (by me, anyway) material, the highlight of which is an illustrated essay called "The Boob Closet," which alone makes this a must-have.
Consiglio recounts a visit to a NYC peepshow, and the details of the visit, especially his interaction with the girls in the booth, had me laughing so hard my eyes teared up and there was serious concern about my continued ability to breathe. Other funny vignettes include tales from the deli Consiglio works at (or worked at, not sure if he still does...), and one about the strained relationship with his brother. All great stuff.
Consiglio's one of those talents I've recently found (along with Paul Hornschemeier and Drew Weing) that I will follow anywhere, because my first exposure to their work has made me a fan for life and because they are just that goddamned good. Grade: 4.5/5