First Time

This volume examining “first time” sexual experiences manages to be frank in its depiction of physical sexuality without becoming pornographic, resulting in a charming “adults only” anthology. This collection honors the human element of sexuality by presenting characters recognizable as ordinary people and deals with intimacy and communication between lovers, and even those engaging in solo activities, giving the book its heart. Displaying a distinctly European sensibility and written by a French woman who identifies herself only as Sybelline, these stories celebrate that most primal of physical connections while featuring art of appealingly high quality. The 10 short stories cover a wide range of erotic happenstances and artistic styles, with the standouts including “First Time” by Alfred, “Sex Shop” by Capucine, “1+1” by Virginie Augustine and “Sodomy” by Dominique Bertail, the story that features easily the most impressive visuals. But the piece that might be of the most interest to mainstream comics readers is “X-Rated,” illustrated by Dave McKean, who created the memorable covers for Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman . This is highly recommended for readers looking for something erotic yet artistic and emotionally involving. (Mar.)