Dame Darcy's Meat Cake #[nn]

Dame Darcy's Meat Cake from Fantagraphics is a gorgeous showcase of her singular gothic-romantic vision, and this 2010 collection cover makes an immediate, unforgettable impression. The artwork layers a dreamy mermaid floating above a moonlit bay, a young man strolling along the shore, a cluster of pale dark-haired figures gazing out at the viewer, a blonde woman in pink reading comics within an oval cameo frame, and a lurking wolf-like creature beside a shadowy village — all framed by blossoming cherry trees and fruit-laden branches. Every element of this richly illustrated cover is entirely Dame Darcy's own hand, from pencils and inks to color and lettering, making it a true one-artist achievement.