The Role of an Artist in Society
by Brendan Leach
Self-published

Ah, art school kids.

By now we’re all familiar with the basic stereotypes, yes? I mean, it’s been five years since “Art School Confidential” was made into a movie, plus 40% of our readers have partially-completed arts degrees*.

The Role of an Artist in Society was a jarring title to read, at first. It’s so pretentious. And look at that font. Look at the way he set that type. Ugh.  Hipster as shit.

I braced myself for something painfully arty.  I remember thinking if this book was by anyone but Brendan Leach I wouldn’t have been interested in it one bit.

Luckily, to be braced for irritating pretension is the perfect way to approach this mini.  It really aids the comedy.

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Lunch Break is a short round-up of favorite webcomics appearing here each weekday at noon. Here’s something for you to enjoy over your lunch break or whenever. The premise is simple: it’s another day on the internet. Here’s a new or forgotten comic that seems interesting. Have something to recommend? Email us: crosshatchdispatch@gmail.com.

1. Red Dream by Anuj Shrestha // 2010
2. The Qomolangma Loser by Nicholas Cinquergrani // date unknown
3. Robot 3 by Brendan Leach // date unknown
4. Susannah by Kris Mukai // June 2, 2010
5. One Dog from “Owlex” by Emi Gennis // November 30, 2011

– Sarah Morean

The Pterodactyl Hunters in the Gilded City
by Brendan Leach
Self-published

Oh man, I love dinosaurs.  So let’s be upfront.  I was really psyched to read this comic and it did not disappoint.

Brendan Leach’s latest comic is called The Pterodactyl Hunters in the Gilded City. It explores what what life would be like if pterodactyls survived into the last century.

Why, they would terrorize mankind of course and must be destroyed.  Though it is implied that the pteros might have feelings or relationships with other pteros, it is not apparently accepted that they are sentient, thus the Dinotopia-like dream that we would befriend or tame and ride them was never explored by these people.  Any response to the pteros seems to be universally charged by anger or fear.  The pteros eat people, so they’ve simply got to go.  Nobody is bargaining for their survival.  Not even science.

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