Boundless

"Jillian Tamaki’s short comics are propelled by contemporary phenomena: One character joins a skin-care pyramid scheme, while another launches a porn sitcom called Darla! But such elements never seem to shackle Boundless to the present. Tamaki’s existential wistfulness lifts text messages and memes into the realm of archetype. Her inventive, versatile art takes different forms throughout the book. At times her innovative compositions challenge the reader’s eye; elsewhere, wry dramas of intimacy and insecurity unfold in standard arrangements of comic panels. A sense of melancholy is never far off – even the Darla! storyline packs a psychological kick."