By Jessica Dawson
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, November 9, 2007

D. Billy -- a.k.a. David William, erstwhile District resident -- fills Transformer with a predictable group of cartoonish drawings marrying illustration with comic book idioms. Absurdist juxtapositions are the norm: The word bubble issuing from a writing desk declares "RATS!" More compelling are the artist's three most recent works, in which cartoon sound effects enter real world situations. In one picture, William affixed colored balloons spelling "Rrring" next to a New York subway pay phone, allowing art to enter life with childlike glee.

D. Billy at Transformer, 1404 P St. NW, Wednesday-Saturday 1-7 p.m., through Dec. 1. 202-483-1102.http://www.transformergallery.org.