Do you mean to tell me that I’ve been reviewing mini kus books for over a decade now (maybe closer to two?) and my first time hearing about this Latvian artist is through a random buy online? Baffling. This is a good old collection of several stories, which we’ve all established as the best format for mini comics. Well, I’ve established it, and since I’m not taking votes from the outside world, that means it’s settled. First up is Headache, a haunting tale about all of the things that the artist never got around to doing in their life, leading up to learning a skill that would make it all possible. Maybe. Next up is Spring Song, which perfectly captures the feeling of endless hopelessness during the winter months, all leading up to the moment that hope starts to shine through again. Cellular is about his obsession with his phone, which he shares with most of the rest of the population. This was a story that could have gotten old in a hurry, but he veered off in a unique way that I didn’t see coming. Finally there’s White Spider, which is all about change and letting go. Or it’s partially about that; I’m not the artist and you should never fully trust a reviewer who tells you what a comic is “about.” There’s also one more story that I liked quite a bit, but I have to leave at least one surprise for anybody who wants to check this out, right? This is a solid collection of stories, and it manages to avoid being too maudlin while still covering some depressing (and realistic, due to this stupid world) themes. And, like the best of the mini comics, it’s cheap enough that you can buy it without being worried about missing a meal! $5
