Jetcat by Jay Stephens

There's a lot to love about this Jetcat sketch from Canadian cartoonist Jay Stephens. I love how he makes use of the vertical nature of the sketchbook page. The expression on Jetcat's face is priceless, and the look of the dinosaur in search of a snack elicits memories of classic cartoons. The thick bold lines really grab the eye.

Look at the quality of the linework. The dinosaur's eye is rendered meticulous, and then one can compare that to the "SNAP!" sound effect, which is rough in appearance, conveying the aggression and strength of the creature's actions. A seemingly simple sketch conveys so much story in a single, amusing but exciting moment.

Acquired at a con in Toronto in 2002.