About the Artist and Style

The worlds of fine art and comic art meet in Jerry Belland's Close to the Edge. An established artist from the upper Midwest, Belland turns to the single-panel cartoon format with inspired results.

The Content and Themes

Taken all together, these images create a world of their own. It is a world where we can watch Jesus urinate on Las Vegas or meet the grim reaper in the grocery store parking lot or confess our sins at the Donuts Anonymous meeting. Belland's distinctive drawing style is complimented by his pointed use of titles and sidebars, which often heighten the thought-provoking content.

Tone and Impact

The cartoons sometimes contain quick, wry observations. Most, however, tackle the big issues. The history of the world is here in one panel. These works will intrigue any fan of comic art with their fresh and original vision.