Brothers

Newcomers Mazo and Soloviov vie for laughs—screenplay-sharp lines on the left, madcap paintings on the right—in this account of canine sibling rivalry, easily transposed to reflect human dynamics. Julius narrates with all the requisite condescension and knowingness of an older sibling (he calls his younger brother William the Upstart). “He thinks the toilet is the Fountain of Youth and not a drinking bowl at all. He insists that when he's tall enough, he will drink from it and remain eternally young,” Julius says. Set against black backgrounds, Soloviov's scenes recall black velvet tapestries and poker-playing dogs, but Julian and William are postmodern ironic, especially when they are shown at the dog United Nations and William bangs his shoe on the desk. Their rivalry notwithstanding, Julius takes his brotherly duties seriously, emphasizing the importance of manners (“Despite my fine example, William is certain he must steal his food in order to eat”) and higher achievement (“It is not greed that inspires us to stuff forty tennis balls into our mouths—it is ambition”). Adult siblings in particular will profit from Julius's sparkling exposition of the fraternal relationship. All ages. (Nov.)