I just got How to Be a Grrrl! which according to its cover is by Lucy Van Pelt herself. This is a collection of strips (and selections from strips) starring Lucy, about feminism and power. They attempt to use a ‘zine-style design asthetic, with the strips put in front of backgrounds that look like degraded photocopies of something, or panels looking like they were taped to the page and photocopied with the tape visible. It’s a fun attempt to add some indie energy to the most mainstream of products (but then, Peanuts has long been embraced across the creative spectrum.) In a way, this book is about its layout, and while it doesn’t always achieve its goal. I like it. This is not a good book to get for getting a lot of strips or getting sharp reproduction, but as an object, it’s kinda keen. The plasticy cover just ads to its offbeat nature. Anyway, this is a UK book (albeit printed in Latvia; I don’t recall ever owning a book printed in Latvia before); you can order it with free shipping to the states from Book Depository, or you can get it from third-party sellers at Amazon US.

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