For my money "365 Days With Jay" by Jason Marcy is the best journal comic out there at the moment and yes, that includes James Kochalka's "American Elf." In this wonderful strip we meet Jay himself, his beautiful wife and adorable son, as well as his cantankerous boss and conversant coworkers. What I find most appealing about the strip is that Jay doesn't make any attempt to sugar coat his daily existence. He presents his life as it is with brutal honesty, warts and all.

 In this autobiographical comic we bear witness to the good and bad times in equal measure. We are the fly on the wall as he argues with his wife and becomes impatient with his rambunctious little boy but are also there to see the families enormous love and affection for one another. We are privy to Jay's private thoughts and internal dialogue and are able to hear our own self doubt and fears echoed there too.

 Jay's black and white artwork is both muscular and accomplished. He draws some of the most fantastic facial expressions I've ever seen and is able to capture a wide range of emotions with just a few brush strokes. His art is both economical and comical and yet as realistic as his depiction of life itself.

 So, be sure that you check this comic out each weekday because spending the day with Jay is time well spent.