M.S. Harkness, Time Under Tension page 73 (Fantagraphics 2023) NSFW

339 Views - 2 Comments - 1 Like

Click Image to View Full Size

Artwork Details

Title:	M.S. Harkness, Time Under Tension page 73 (Fantagraphics 2023) NSFW
Artist:	M.S. Harkness (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Interior Page
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	339
Likes on CAF:	1 2
Comments:	2
Added to Site:	9/4/2024
Comic Art Archive:

Description

NSFW - IGNATZ nominated author/artist M.S. Harkness continues her autobiographical description of parental sexual abuse, higher education, relationships, drug dealing, sex work, obsessive behavior, barely avoiding poverty, working out at the gym, and [insert life crossroads event here].

M.S. is graduating from art school in Minneapolis and facing a crossroads in life. She has a strained relationship with her mother, a sexually abusive father on parole, and is in love with an aspiring MMA fighter who mostly hangs out with her to get high and already has a girlfriend and career prospects with a fight promotion. An art career feels untenable — as one professor tells her, "Don't expect to get by on this fucked-up broke girl shit." Spoiler alert - she does and is.

She decides to get a personal trainer's certificate — it seems like a feasible and sensible career option — but continues to dabble as a sex worker and weed dealer because the money is too irresistible. With idle hands due to no classes or full-time work, M.S. has ample time to aimlessly fuck around — or, to get her shit together. "I want to be better, I want to be stable and solid. I don't want to keep aimlessly shifting between untenable situations."

Her minimal line drives forward the narrative, feeding off of the hard cold weather of her environment. I find myself staring at her hair on every page - the bound, lifted up bundle of black shifting shape above her head. A metaphor of her life.

Social/Sharing

About the Owner

	Doug L. ( 4 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	September 2019
Last Login:	January 2026
Country:	Not Specified
On CAF:	Premium Member Q&A Doug 's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

Contact the Owner

Use can use a contact form to send an email to this gallery owner,
but, you must be logged in to use this feature.

Comments on this Artwork

You must be logged in to make comments.

Mark V
Member Since 2021

1 - Posted on 9/4/2024

One of the rawest of this current generation of autobio cartoonists. You're right--the hair is pretty mesmerizing!

Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005

Posted on 9/4/2024

Looks like tension was released, at least on this page.

All
	Greg McKee 1/24/2026 4:26:00 AM
	Brad Potts 1/24/2026 3:08:00 AM
	Dennis Books 1/24/2026 3:03:00 AM
	--J S-- 1/24/2026 2:40:00 AM
	Todd Warren 1/24/2026 2:34:00 AM
View All


	Pop Warner 1/24/2026 2:18:00 AM
	David Dias 1/24/2026 1:45:00 AM
	Miki Annamanthadoo 1/24/2026 1:42:00 AM
	Paul Biermann 1/24/2026 1:32:00 AM
	Bruce W 1/24/2026 12:30:00 AM