by Dash Shaw, $29.95, Fantagraphics

Home town cartoonist hero Dash Shaw’s name is about to get drilled into your collective skulls over the next few months. Released this week is his 700 page (!) new graphic novel about a family in crisis. Shaw’s elevated his game, learned his lessons and put out his first great work. The kind that people will be talking about. What I find amazing about watching Shaw’s transformation over the  last few years is that as his work has become more accessible and widely appealing, he’s never sacrificed what is unique about it. That kind of confidence, especially from a 25 year-old (that’s right, he’s still a punk kid) is pretty impressive. My favorite thing about this book is how each member of the family reacts to the cards they’re dealt (no spoilers here) and how emotionally authentic it is. And in the essence of full disclosure, look for me hovering in the back of the book in the acknowledgment pics. Emotional resonance, crisp art AND the good sense to put me in your book? Sign me up!

Dash Shaw is ridiculously prolific and an absolute original...and as you mention, only 25. The only caveat for this book is that it’s published by the assholes at Fantagraphics, but don’t hold that against the Bellybutton.