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Dave Cooper's Weasel #3
By Leroy Douresseaux
January 16, 2004 - 14:57

Fantagraphics Books
Writer(s): Dave Cooper
Penciller(s): Dave Cooper
Cover Artist(s): Dave Cooper



weasel003.jpg
There is still something to be said for individual issues of comics, or pamphlets, as many are coming to call them. Dave Cooper's WEASEL #3 is a fine example of an individual comic as being important, as an example of the part being as important as the whole. Issue three is the third part of a five part serial, but as a stand-alone thing, Weasel #3 is an art object. High production values, beautiful design, and exquisite printing are the calling cards of Fantagraphics Books, and Weasel is a testament to that. It even trumps the best "prestige format" crap coming from the big two.

Cooper's story is the tale of Martin, the tortured cartoonist, and Tina, the (un)pleasantly plumb woman with whom he's infatuated. He uses her as a model, and exercises his intense lust/love on her while she acts funky and standoffish towards him. It's an excellent story with two engaging characters.

As good as his writing is, I'm in love with Cooper's art. His line work is luscious and evocative; I think another word I'm looking for is supple. It's like my eyes can feel each line of his art. The Cooper comic is a tactile experience; there's none of this detached reading and moving on. He makes you get involved, reacting to what's on the page, sharing the intensity, and that's a good thing even if this review is starting to creep you out.

[DRECK, DULL, READABLE, PRETTY GOOD, EXCELLENT]


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