Sheep Cult Comics is now a proud distributor of Cram Books!
Cram Books is a small press publisher based in Dumbo, Brooklyn, NY, producing absolutely kick-ass comics that they describe as funny, sad, and honest. Boy, do they follow through on this description. Andrew Alexander- a publisher, editor, printmaker, and artist- spearheads the organization, and he understands exactly the brand he is building. Just from looking at the covers of these works, you can easily identify that they are all from the same well-curated and cohesive collection.
Each work published is poignant in story and captivating in illustration, applying awe-inducing mark making and stunning colors. From excellent Autobiographical stories that dig into identity while cherishing the small beauties of the world to strange and occasionally eerie adventures with dry comedy, Cram delivers powerful and vibrant narratives in bold lines.
While unboxing, I said ‘Oh my god’ a few times (I really could not help it). If you, reader of this blog post, check out the Cram collection then I promise that you won’t be able to help it either.
The visuals of these books are endlessly impressive, not just in the talent of the artists they are working with, but also in the production from the publisher. Cram has brought its readers Riso printing at its absolute peak. The colors actually sing. This is not a joke, no. Beautiful voices, too.
Snippet from Cram Comics #4, Bad News for Big Rubes
To get a better idea of what this publisher provides, I read the most recent issue of its flagship anthology series, Cram Comics, titled ‘Something Strong for When the Love is Gone.’ With a jovial and humorous cover designed by Lillian Ansell, the anthology is immediately striking.
Over the course of the nine comics within, the core of what Cram Books seeks to do clicked into place. Full of wit and heart, each addition to this anthology spoke of connectivity in some capacity, and this theme is tied together by each artist working in their own unique style while still feeling connected to the greater creative voice of the publisher.
Perhaps my favorite story from this collection was titled ‘Fixing It’ by Medar de la Cruz and Medar Serrata, a comic detailing a plumbing issue and one father’s attempts to put an end to the rushing waters before his entire apartment building floods. The creatives behind this work employed excellent pattern work to convey the panic of the quickly filling bathroom and crisp humor that matched well with the clean illustrations.
‘Something Strong for When the Love is Gone’ is a delightful read full of exactly the kind of comics that can be found in all of Cram’s publishing. Comics that are built on clarity, charm, dedication to detail, reflection, and chuckles.
Don’t miss your chance to flip through these badass books. I, personally, can’t wait to read them all.