The combined forces of Doujicon/Minifest set up shop at Monash University last weekend and I managed to convince a couple of willing souls to come with me and check it out. The event itself was interesting if a bit low-key for our tastes, but the selection of Australian Indie comics was pretty decent and I picked up a few things that are worth taking a close look at. The first one that we will discuss here is the first issue of Digested by BobbyN, a small B&W indie comic that was unique amoung the selection at Doujicon, partially because it did not feature ninjas, samurais or tentacles doing unmentionable things but mostly due to its distinctive art style. The book is completely done in B&W and the style is difficult to pin down to the point that I struggle to think of someone to compare it to (although that could be down to a lack of knowledge on my part more than anything else).

This first volume contains three short stories with the first part of the larger narrative and two small vignettes coupled with an discussion with eh. The first, Train Ride, is the most successful part capturing a single conversation between a girl whose relationship just ended and her friend. It is a great example of simple, efficient storytelling and manages to bring in great emotion using just a few pages and small amounts of dialogue. I love it because it is believable, you can easily imagine eavesdropping on these two girls and overhearing something similar.

First Date, has a similar, low-key vibe to it, but is aiming for a slightly different, more comical goal. As the title suggests it chronicles the first date between two prospective lovers and what occurs after they go back for coffee at her house. The final panel payoff got a good laugh from me and the success here comes from the subtlety in the humour. The build up is spot on and the punchline works because it is surprising and unexpected.

Oxygen Part 1 completes the book, but as it is only the introduction to a larger story, I will not go in to any great detail here. Rather, once I have picked up the next two volumes from the creator’s website and a full review of the whole work at a later stage. As it stands, Digested Issue 1 is concise, effective storytelling coupled with great B&W art and a slightly twisted outlook on life. If the quality is maintained across the rest of the story, then this will be a great Australian comic and something that is definitely worth seeking out.