Series of the Moment: Local

I'm really enjoying Local by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly right now. Its a 12-issue miniseries, with each issue set in a different city and representing a year in the main character's life. Each issue is a self-contained story and is about a "normal" person, which sets it apart from a lot of other comics.

The basic premise is that Megan moves from city to city trying to find her place in the world, and keeps screwing up every time she gets a fresh start. There are issues where she is only peripherally involved in the story, but she is the element that ties the series together (even when she's in the background). I'm having a hard time telling if Megan is self-destructive or just quirky.

Another neat bit is the "My Local" feature at the end of many of the issues. People send in pictures, post cards, and notes about where they're from. Its a great touch and the series feels even more authentic.

If you want more information, both The Onion AV Club and Newsarama have interviews with Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly. You can also check out some art previews, courtesy of Brian Wood.