Some Things We Know About Rutu Modan
 Last week, The New York Times flung open the gates to its once restricted "Times Select" program. Since then, we've indulged in many excursions among the treasure contained within. One of our most cherished finds so far is Mixed Emotions, a comics blog from Israeli artist and illustrator Rutu Modan.
Rutu's blog launched in May and currently features just three entries—Queen of the Scottish Fairies, The Most Popular Girl in Warsaw, and A Family Bargain. (Shouldn't there be more?) The storytelling and drawings are so irresistible, though, and Rutu's use of the web format so intriguing, that we wanted to feature her in our Profiles series. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get in touch with Rutu for an interview. However, there are things we know about her already. Her newest book, the graphic novel "Exit Wounds," follows a Tel Aviv cab driver in search of his father. (It's been met with glowing reviews.) She co-founded the Israeli comics collective Actus Tragicus, and once served as editor of the Israeli edition of MAD magazine. "Peanuts" and "The Addams Family" provided early influences. Later, "a very wicked hamster" must have given her the run-around (we're guessing). She speaks heavily accented, lilting English. She has a husband, and children, and lives today in England. But most importantly, Rutu has a light and whimsical touch with her pen—and a dead-on ability to capture the emotions that shoot through family dynamics. Something about this stuff just glows. Begin with Scottish Fairies and see if you, too, don't have very clear feelings about Mixed Emotions. And if you know Rutu, ask her to write us!
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