Love Letters to Jane’s World

With its blend of relationship drama, mild humor, and outlandish adventures, this annotated compendium demonstrates both the appeal and the limitations of a daily comic. Out lesbian journalist Jane broke ground as a protagonist in Braddock’s Eisner-nominated, syndicated strip when she debuted in the late ’90s. But while Jane’s sexual orientation was radical on the newspaper pages, the pacing and tone are similar to other mainstream dailies (like a more progressive Foxtrot). Braddock’s sketchily drawn cast of quirky characters can be charming, and their regularity comforting, but without more extensive storylines to draw out suspense, their stories flatten—despite how Braddock reconfigures their relationships and inserts the occasional alien abduction. Sporadic in-comic cracks in the fourth wall are amusing, if jarring. Commentary from Braddock and others (fans, fellow cartoonists, and academics) provides historical context. But it’s hard to avoid comparing to the work of Alison Bechdel, whose Dykes to Watch Out For strip was sharper both visually and in terms of sociopolitical commentary. For existing fans, Braddock’s collection will deliver a dose of nostalgia and a sprinkling of insight, and it’s a valuable resource for academics; but it’s unlikely to win over a new generation of readers. (Aug.)