cover image Unimpressed

Unimpressed

Miranda Tacchia. Fantagraphics, $29.99 (400p) ISBN 978-1-68396-469-8

Tacchia’s collection of cheeky cartoon portraits depicts sardonic women expressing in offhand phrases many complex, if rapidly passing, emotions of the modern era. Drawn on Post-It notes, the candy-colored figures saturate the page. Originally serialized on Instagram, they toss off such neo-aphorisms as “When someone you don’t like tells a funny joke but you still don’t like them”; “When your plans get cancelled and there’s no one around to see how good you look”; and “When you thought you were a bitch but you meet another person who’s also a bitch.” The sexually frank material evokes a world of drinking, clubbing, one-night stands, dick pics, long phone calls with friends, and the occasional fart joke. Tacchia has a gift for capturing expression and gesture in a few rounded lines, and her strong colors make these marker doodles appear painterly. The overall effect’s slight, with little development beyond one or two sequenced panel observations about friendship and romance—but many are funny, some poignant, and all emphatically of the moment. There’s charm and energy to their basic takes. This would be a fitting gift book for one’s best and drunkest girlfriend. (Oct.)