Later, the work of Chis Ware appeared. It looked nothing like anything I'd seen in a newpaper and I still have never seen anyone explore/explode the boundaries of the comic strip format the way he did.

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Ware's comic art was rooted in a deep understanding and appreciation of old comics. His ability to blend old and new is is reflected in a hand-drawn postcard from 1988 he sent me in response to some fan mail. While at Texas he produced Floyd Farland: Citizen of the Future and a variety of small works that seem to lack titles and generally defy description.

So recenty, I was delighted to see Chris Ware get a little attention back in Texas in a story in the Dallas Morning News talking about the succes of his graphic novel Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth.

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My fondness for Ware's work is hard to explain given its often dark tone. Ware describes this as reality not pessimism. I guess I find comfort in my ability to remain happy despite our worst tendancies.