Local Hero Comics: Vessel by Cat Dossett

A focus on small press comic creators

Local Heroes Comics is a new feature I’ve created which will review works by small press cartoonists. Initially I’ll be focusing on Boston and New England area cartoonists, but since every comics creator is local somewhere, I will eventually focus on talent beyond my hometown. If you are interested in having your work considered, you can wait for me to find your work, or you can contact me at chadpoeforhire@yahoo.com

One of my favorite kinds of minicomic is the cartoon diary. It gives the artist an opportunity to show off their skills through a series of vignettes that don’t necessarily need to be connected. Unlike the first chapter of a story that may not ever be continued, a series of drawn diary entries can at least feel self-contained. It’s also a better format to experiment and figure out what works and what doesn’t in your craft.

All these factors make comic diaries a solid intro for any new reader of any up and coming artist. It works the same way that 12 page chapbooks do for poets. Perhaps not coincidentally, Vessel, the diary comic by poet, editor and artist Cat Dosset, is an impressive and fully realized work for what appears to be her first comic collection.