The Artist’s Closet

A Man Alone in a Comic Book

Guy Delisle’s new book, Hostage, is his best since Pyongyang. It breaks his recent formula, and in doing so beautifully demonstrates the aptitude of comics for representing time and subjective experience.

May 1, 2017

At Home with the Irrational

Over four decades and many books of drawings, “Colonel” Glen Baxter has built a world and language all his own.

August 27, 2016

The Art of Love

Why art? What is it? What is it for?

March 10, 2018

The Magic of Iris Murdoch

Look—I know it’s corny to have a favorite writer, but I realized recently that in my case there’s just no denying it. And this month would have been Irish Murdoch’s 100th birthday.

July 15, 2019

Mark Twain’s ‘Advice to Little Girls’

If at any time you find it necessary to correct your brother, do not correct him with mud—never, on any account, throw mud at him, because it will spoil his clothes. It is better to scald him a little, for then you obtain desired results. If your mother tells you…

July 15, 2011

Hamlet, My Prince of Pigs

You’ll see that Hamlet: Prince of Pigs has been stripped of all fat. And tragedy minus many words is comedy. A pared-down Hamlet is a funny Hamlet. Here are a few scenes from my tragicomic.

February 25, 2018