Classic40ounce: Tales From the Brown Bag

    (Image, 2005)
™ and © 2005 James P. Mahfood

Probably best appreciated by the high schoolers who traffic most in ’zines, Classic 40 Oz. collects Jim Mahfood’s various projects for those ubiquitous publications, as well as school assignments at the Kansas City Art Institute. Mahfood’s Evan Dorkin influence shows strong, though the violence tends to lack the same ironic awareness that makes Dorkin’s anger cartoony and sympathetic. The resulting product often leaves the reader with the sense of having lent Mahfood an ear rather than commiserated in his fury. Some of the material is strictly in there for completism, as it’s unlikely anyone will read the book for the adventures of Danny and Rod, but the best work is at the end of the collection, right before the sketchbook section, with bits like the KCAI Fashion Catalogue and a canny analysis of mix–tapes.

— Brendan McGinley
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