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Adrian Tomine’s Scenes from an Impending Marriage is a perfect little book. It chronicles the planning and build-up to Tomine’s wedding in comic strip form, and the occasional single panel gag. Until now I have never really connected with Tomine’s work. But there is something just right about these little stories presented in a 9-panel grid. Reading the strips is a master class in cartooning. The figures and backgrounds are drawn with precision and masterful minimalism, the punchlines are timed just so, and the lettering and panel sizes are measured and considered to near perfection. Probably, though, the smart design of the physical book itself is what gives it the potential to be a perennial seller. This solid little hardcover sports a clean, modern design, is priced strategically at $10, and the light turquoise guarantees it’ll fit right in at a bridal shower. This is one of those books you’ll pick up in a gift store and realize you can’t not buy it as a wedding gift. Is this Drawn & Quarterly’s first de facto gift book? On the surface it certainly seems more at home in a Hallmark store than in even their own Montreal indie comics boutique. It has a permanent spot on my gift list for friends’ future weddings. Unless you’re one of my friends reading this, in which case I got you a toaster.

Adrian Tomine’s Scenes from an Impending Marriage is a perfect little book. It chronicles the planning and build-up to Tomine’s wedding in comic strip form, and the occasional single panel gag.

Until now I have never really connected with Tomine’s work. But there is something just right about these little stories presented in a 9-panel grid. Reading the strips is a master class in cartooning. The figures and backgrounds are drawn with precision and masterful minimalism, the punchlines are timed just so, and the lettering and panel sizes are measured and considered to near perfection.

Probably, though, the smart design of the physical book itself is what gives it the potential to be a perennial seller. This solid little hardcover sports a clean, modern design, is priced strategically at $10, and the light turquoise guarantees it’ll fit right in at a bridal shower. This is one of those books you’ll pick up in a gift store and realize you can’t not buy it as a wedding gift. Is this Drawn & Quarterly’s first de facto gift book? On the surface it certainly seems more at home in a Hallmark store than in even their own Montreal indie comics boutique. It has a permanent spot on my gift list for friends’ future weddings.

Unless you’re one of my friends reading this, in which case I got you a toaster.

43 notes // Posted by johnmartz
Filed under: comicsmarriageweddingsAdrian Tomine

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