[JenB]

The lack of backgrounds get annoying, yes, but I have more trouble with vibrant colors all vying for space and then the words shoved up into the corners or wherever they fit. At least, that's how it looks to my untrained eye.

I think the lack of backgrounds is at least partly because it's all black-and-white (which I really like). Also stems from Japanese art which seems to me to be rather minimalist.

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

You know, a lot of independent/alternative U.S. comics published in the 80s/90s were in black and white. The ones that survived to make it to graphic novel collections (such as Elfquest and Cerebus) usually had color added at that point, however.