Summary

Section 2, “The Flood Girls,” begins with a nomination letter for the 2003 Minerva Prize. Daniel Clowes recounts how he met Eleanor at the 1995 San Diego Con, where she was one of the few fans to recognize his team’s graphic novel and bought his entire portfolio of art. Nine years later, visiting the set of his nephew at the office of Looper Girls, Daniel came across Eleanor’s corner office and appreciated the “egomaniacal, solipsistic self-focus I so admire in myself,” demonstrated by the drawings around the room (70). Once Eleanor came in, Daniel asked if he could nominate her pinned drawings as a graphic novel. The letter closes with praise of The Flood Girls’ warmth and immediacy, with the expectation of seeing more of her work.

The letter is followed by a full-color rendition of “The Flood Girls.” The green vintage-looking cover features...