Comics, graphic novels, and single panel cartoons have long flourished as an alternative medium. In recent years these forms of narrative illustrationartwork that tells its own story rather than supporting a texthave increasingly crossed over into mainstream popular culture. Pictorial storytelling now reaches the public through animated films(Spirited Away)and films with animated sequences(Kill Bill), while graphic novels win literary prizes and comic art hangs in art galleries. This delightful book explores the various uses of images with and without text in the work of over thirty artists from around the world. From the delicate illustrations of Marcel Dzama to the stylized strokes of Simone Lia, the politically charged works of Joe Sacco, and the psychological mystery of Andrejz Kilmowski'sThe Secret,contemporary comic art spans a vast spectrum of styles and subjects.Pictures and Wordsexamines the range of descriptive possibilities within narrative illustration and showcases outstanding works by artists from sixteen different countriesartists whose creations represent the best and most original current work in this increasingly popular genre.Featured artists include: Barry Blitt, Canada Mr. Clement, Hong Kong Jordan Crane, United States Martin tom Dieck, Germany Marcel Dzama, Canada Igort, Italy James Jarvis, England David Rees, United States Joe Sacco, Malta Marjane Satrapi, Iran

ROANNE BELL is a freelance writer and coeditor of two books on illustration. MARK SINCLAIR joined Creative Review in 2002 after two years as graphics coeditor at ZOO magazine.