New from Fantagraphics Books, Tony
Millionaire’s award-winning comic strip Maakies is now collected in this
beautifully put together hardcover, Drinky Crow Drinks Again.

Maakies is one of the longest-running
underground comic strips to be published, making its first appearance in 1994.
Since then, the vaudevillian misadventures of Uncle Gabby (a drunk Irish
monkey) and Drinky Crow have spawned animated appearances and sought-after
merchandise.

Drinky Crow Drinks Again features Tony
Millionaire’s work from the past five years, showcasing the two drunkards in
over 200 strips, mixed in with some truly magnificent illustrations from the
talented creator.

The new book has been praised by the likes
of the great Pendleton Ward (Adventure Time) and Bob Odenkirk (Better Call
Saul), and there’s no surprise as to why it’s garnered so much love from
different creators and comedians.

Maakies has a unique brand of humour, which
is unashamedly immature in places. There’s a reliance on poop jokes throughout
Millionaire’s strips, with themes often focusing on Drinky Crow’s absurd desire
for alcohol along with the sordid escapades of Uncle Gabby. Together they’re a
great mix, resulting in some hilarious gags.

There’s little to no continuity found
between most of Millionaire’s strips, but there’s no need for it. Each comic
strip in Drinky Crow Drinks Again oozes with Millionaire’s unrestrained wit,
and the laughs keep on coming throughout.

Maakies strips are also accompanied with a
topper; a much smaller secondary strip below the main one. Despite the smaller
scale that Millionaire works with, he still manages to make those just as
amusing as the main strip.

It’s a delightful little book, and if
Maakies’ style of humour doesn’t hit the right notes with some readers, then at
least they can admire Millionaire’s incredible line work. Sections of comic
strips are split up with the addition of big illustrations, showcasing Drinky
Crow, Uncle Gabby and maritime ships in all their glory.

It is hard to place Tony Millionaire’s art
style within the industry, as it’s so refreshingly different. There’s a slight
hint of Robert Crumb found here, with Millionaire’s inspiration harking back to
much earlier comic strip artists.

For fans of Maakies, then Drinky Crow
Drinks Again is a must-buy. His strips from the past five years are lavishly
produced in this new hardcover, and they’re all presented in the correct
format. For those who haven’t experienced Tony Millionaire’s beautiful drawings
and absurdist humour, this book is a fine place to discover one of the
industry’s best underground creators.

DRINKY CROW DRINKS AGAIN / AUTHOR: TOBY MILLIONAIRE / PUBLISHER: FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS/ RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW