Hate #19

In "Partners," Peter Bagge's sharp, character-driven storytelling takes center stage as Jay and Buddy launch their collectibles store, their partnership at first buoyed by early success. But as Jay's unpredictable spending and growing secrecy begin to strain their friendship, the cracks in their alliance start to show—tensions simmering beneath the surface of their shared venture. The story, illustrated with Bagge’s signature wit and grit by the writer himself, with inks by Jim Blanchard and lettering by Bagge, captures the fragile balance of trust and ambition in a relationship built on mutual dependence. The cover, penciled by Bagge and inked by Blanchard, perfectly mirrors the story’s mix of camaraderie and unease.