Jason Katzenstein

Two giraffes meet for a romantic evening. But one has a confession: he is, in fact, a weasel (in disguise).

The artist is Jason Katzenstein--a student of my old teacher, Amy Bloom. Since Bloom is a known disciple of the picture-book writer James Marshall, it's not a shock that Katzenstein's debut comic has a "George and Martha" feel. George is frequently lying to Martha: he isn't afraid of scary movies, he isn't afraid of the high dive, he is committed to his new no-sugar diet. Martha must tolerate the silliness, because living creatures are imperfect, and love is love.

Katzenstein's memoir--about obsessive rumination--suggests that he himself frequently feels like "fifty-eight weasels in a trenchcoat." This first cartoon is a display of Katzenstein's compassion for himself--an example of making something from one's own experience.

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