The Perry Bible Fellowship Almanack

Here's how this works. I read a book or two and tell you about them and try not to get too long-winded. This time, a review of The Perry Bible Fellowship Almanack (Dark Horse, 2009).



When Nicholas Gurewitch ended his webcomic Perry Bible Fellowship a few years ago, it felt like the Internet was a little more boring of a place. I simply loved his constantly surprising, mean-spirited, dark little strip. It was what you might have read in a world where Gary Larson had successfully tried multiple artistic styles to accompany his gags.

Two years ago, Dark Horse released a partial collection of Gurewitch's strip, but they have superceded that with this larger, 256-page collection that contains the entire run. It's a lovely hardcover with specially-printed engraved lettering, and one strip per page on very nice paper. Additional features include thirty-two rejected strips, sketches and supplemental artwork, and an interview with Gurewitch conducted by David Malki. I think it's a splendid collection of wonderfully surreal and clever comics, and everyone involved should be very proud of doing such a fine job of archiving the work so well. It's a bit too adult for my kids, but if you're over sixteen, I'd certainly recommend it for you.