Baylis, Jonathan – So Buttons #15

March 27, 2026

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So Buttons #15

I’m ashamed of my scanner, because what you’re missing from that cover image is that those black lines are actually part of a foil embossed cover, so they’re actually silver. I was a little too old to care when those covers started coming out in the 90’s (still barely following superhero comics, mostly annoyed when I saw a cover like that because they were always expensive), but I’m oddly always overjoyed to see them for the covers of indie comics. This is yet another really great collection of stories from Jonathan and a cast of some of the best artists working today; if you’re curious about them, click on their tag, because chances are I’ve reviewed their solo work too. Jonathan mentions in his afterward that he thinks this is his most “cohesive” comic based on the themes, and I’d agree with that. His dad features prominently, which makes a lot of sense considering the themes of the last issue. Stories include reminiscing about his dad’s life and watching him seamlessly fit into a group of strangers just because he used to live in that neighborhood (art by Noah Van Sciver), his reaction to the death of David Lynch and his connection to his work (art by Bhanu Pratap, and I was nodding along to this whole story, because it really hit me too), his spotting a very famous movie star at an awards show where the movie star was very conspicuously missing (art by Danny Hellman), his job back in the day as a fetcher which meant he was loosely working for the film industry (art by Karl Christian Krumpholz), and his mom’s connection to movie musicals (art by Becky Hawkins). And several more stories, but come on, this is #15, you know the deal by now. If you’re buying his comics, you’re buying a pile of quality stories, and aren’t surprises fun? Also I may be writing this on my lunch break, which will be a good reminder not to do this again, because I can already be incoherent when I’m not rushed, who knows how this is going to turn out? Check it out, it would also be a fantastic place to give his work a try for the first time if you’re curious. And check out that cover!


Baylis, Jonathan – So Buttons! #11

June 17, 2021

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So Buttons #11

I guess I shouldn’t be amazed that Jonathan managed to put this together during a global pandemic, but I am honestly a little surprised. Sure, it’s not much different from normal, I imagine: Jonathan writes the stories, asks his various artist buddies if they can draw the stories, and the comics magic happens. Still… kudos! If you’ve never read an issue of this series before, these are autobiographical tales taken from Jonathan’s life, sometimes drawn by entirely new artists, sometimes drawn by a few favorites that he’s used in multiple issues. Also I noticed that every past issue of his series is currently in print (including the collected edition), so if you’re intrigued, get caught up! The man can tell one hell of a tale. Just wanted to get that out there in case I got distracted in the middle of the review. So what’s in this comic that was produced during a global pandemic? Would you believe only one story involves the pandemic, and even then only briefly (and tangentially)? It’s true! For everybody that remembers and appreciates Basil Wolverton’s work, Jim Rugg’s cover art is goddamn amazing. Subjects in this issue include the mythical Laphroaig 15 year scotch and the lengths he went to to try and get it (before it was eventually released as an anniversary edition), his work as a “make a wish” escort and the time he met John Cleese (this one takes you on some twists and turns, as there’s some serious danger that John’s going to end up being an asshole to this kid), his time at school abroad in London and how the comic shop he discovered there led him to small press books, visiting his old Waldenbooks job after it had been turned into a bank, his grandmother’s obsession with Bazooka Joe gum and how that eventually (kind of sort of) led to a job as a Topps intern and finally his tribute to Carol Channing (who shares a birthday with him). There are also a few more wordless pages, but I have to leave something as a surprise. And his bios of the artists tell you a lot about them and why he specifically picked each one for each piece. It’s a steal for $5 and I’m always happy to see a quality series like this make it to double digits while showing no sign of slowing down. Give it a shot if you’ve never tried his stuff before, and if you’re already a fan I guess all I had to say was “hey everybody, a new issue of ‘So Buttons’ is out!” $5