Simmons (Three Days as the Crow Flies
), art dealer, poet, painter and denizen of New York’s art world, tells a story of the seductive sex and drugs scene in New York in the capitalistic 1980s. Brooklyn hustler Crow just needs enough money to buy some drugs. So he steals a few paintings from his friend and tries to make a quick sale to tourists in Washington Square Park. Much to his surprise, he is “discovered” by a chic art dealer who wants to sell not just Crow’s paintings but his rough, primitive image. Crow feels a bit of guilt at the ruse, but ignores even that when he meets a luscious art groupie. Over a down-the-rabbit-hole few days, Crow takes full advantage of the name-dropping, posturing, hipster art lovers to get as much sex and drugs as he can before his theft is revealed. The psychedelic drawings lovingly portray New York’s freaky side, showing a variety of characters from a straight drag queen to an eccentrically bohemian patroness. After 60 pages of over-the-top indulgence, this comic stumbles when it tacks on a Frank Capra–style moral epiphany at the end. As a portrait of a hedonistic lifestyle, this comic is a triumph, but as a morality lesson it leaves a lot to be desired. (Feb.)
