For a day when all you want is for things to line up neatly: A Q and A Book Review for you!

Adrian Tomine produced his own comic series, Optic Nerve between 1995 and 2015, honing skills that have developed into magazine covers and international editorial. This hand-sized pocket book is full of practical, drole, answers to questions that have been put to him over the years.

Helpfully, the very first question in the book concerns correct pronunciation of the surname Tomine toh-mee-neh so you can tick off that worry straight away.

I love all the nerdy details about best nibs and correction pens. It’s useful to know that a light blue pencil lead doesn’t show up in scans, that a dip pen makes him feel like an old school ‘real cartoonist’ and how he keeps the creating ‘new and exciting’ by swapping out art supplies.

Endearingly, Tomine refers to ‘a struggle for competency’ in his work. And describes how his wife reminded him that he was funny IRL, so didn’t need to take himself so seriously in the cartoons – he didn’t need to be cool.

The main thing he appreciated about the screen adaption of Shortcomings was the novelty (and pleasure) of being part of a team. As his young daughter frankly pointed out; he could stay at home in his pyjamas while she had to get dressed and go to school.

Q and A by Adrian Tomine, is published by Faber.

I think you’ll like it.

See the (instantly recognisable) New Yorker magazine covers that Tomine has created here.

I’m looking forward to reading The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist next.

To receive 10% off Q & A by Adrian Tomine, use the code bookbinderbookreview46 at Golden Hare Books (valid until the end of April.)