Shutterbug Follies (2002) GN

Originally serialized as both a weekly newspaper comic strip and a web comics serial, Little's first full-length graphic novel (following his award-winning short book Jack's Luck Runs Out) is a witty, lighter-than-air murder mystery with a hugely likeable young sleuth. Scrappy 18-year-old Bee is working in a New York photo lab when a picture of a naked female corpse that's not quite what it appears to be piques her interest. Her amateur investigation of its photographer leads her to an ever-deepening mystery, a friendly cab driver, a cute but nervous photo assistant, some scary doings with the Russian mob and finally, into deadly danger. Little made his reputation on the alternative comics scene as an experimentalist, but he's also a natural storyteller. It takes a rereading or two to notice just how varied and complicated his techniques are (many of them are borrowed from photography, like the "fisheye lens" he uses in a few dramatic panels, or the rounded panel borders that suggest old-fashioned snapshots). The narrative flows gorgeously through quiet domestic moments, action scenes and a hair-raising dream sequence. Stylish and graceful, Little's figures and compositions suggest a grimier urban version of Belgian comics master Herg?'s classic Tintin books. He captures New York City's animated density and diversity with his pop-art, candy-colored palette.