I like anthologies on the whole. They are an economic way of sampling lots of new artists and when the editing is well done, they are a pleasure in themselves. A rummage through another person's knicker drawer, the functional, the fancy, the downright sluttish, all chosen by one choosy hand.
Sturgeon White Moss #3 does a fine job of avoiding a cramped 'Small Press' attitude but instead makes straight for the Underground, which it truly is. Juxtaposing the work of established stars, such as the gorgeous sketch book pages by Charles Burns, with work by upcoming starlets (the awesome Jason Masters) and serialized stories (another installment of Salem Brownstone) , there's not much here that dissapoints. Saying that the 4 pages of scibble by Mat Brinkman left me feeling a bit short-changed. Also one of the three short stories by Jason, basically tells the same gag as Tom Gauld's story. They are both cute enough in themselves but collectively the effect of both is diminished and you're left wondering why they couldn't have been spaced over two different issues maybe.
An excellent cover, also by Jason sets the tone, a cheeky sparrow twittering on the shoulder of Mr Grim. Buy this comic (or at the very least steal Sylvia Farago's pants from her washing line).
Sturgeon White moss is available from:
21 Warren Court, Euston Rd, London
info@whitemosspress.com
Priced £5, also at Gosh Comics and Comics Showcase, London