A college encounter with Love & Rockets inspired Jessica Abel to start drawing her own comics in 1988. Her stories first appeared in the University of Chicago-sponsored "Breakdown" and in Ivan Brunetti's anthology Biff Bang Pow. Jessica wowed critics in 1996 with her full-sized, Xeric Award-winning Artbabe vol. 1 #5, after crafting four self-Xeroxed issues of one of the most popular minicomics of the 1990s.
In April of 1997, Artbabe Vol. 2 #1 made its debut from Fantagraphics Books. Abel received a 1997 Harvey Award for Best New Talent as well as an analogous award from the non-profit Friends of Lulu organization. In 1999 she took a brief sabbatical to complete a 32-page comic for American Public Radio's popular syndicated program "This American Life." Co-written with "This American Life" host Ira Glass, the comic was used as a premium for their Winter 2000 fundraising drives.
Abel's stories are peppered with hipsters and trendy locales -- which have contributed greatly to her considerable youth appeal -- but don't let the generational trappings fool you. Her intuitive ear for dialogue and characterization have made Artbabe a hit amongst people of all ages, especially women. Mirrow, Window collects her best work, all united by her explorations into the infinite ways that regret, insecurity, and euphoria mainfest in relationships.
Mirror, Window