I title this HOW ODD for a simple reason. I include herein books that I did not know how to approach for review. They all deserve reviews and credit for being interesting works. I am not actually suggesting that any of the works here are bad, but, even having read them numerous times, I do not really have an angle upon them. So while these are my views, please understand that I am getting old, even perhaps confused.
ESCALATOR
Writer/Artist: Brandon Graham
Price: $12.95 US TPB
1-891867-81-4
This came out a while back and I have been somewhat stuck trying to consider it. This work is nearly impossible to categorize, vis-a-vis genre. I have absolutely no issues with the talent of the creative talent, nor the value of the work. The vision of the artist is expressed in short stories and this collection is a look into that artist's mind's eye as he tells stories, entertains, and tries, I think mostly successfully, to demonstrate the many talents he has. Aliens, zombies, ordinary folks, and vehicles are all subject to his pencils. The work is fine, as far as stories and art go, but altogether the reason for reading and buying this is to see the artist at play. I did not love this, but I am impressed.
PUFFED - The Unauthorized Puffed Movie Adaptation
Writer John Layman, Artist: Dave Crossland
TPB B/W $16.99 (US) ISBN: 1-932382-94-1
At work, he wears a funny animal suit. And worse, he cannot get out of it on his own. And still worse, when he cannot get out of the suit, he faces making a personal deposit and soiling himself. This series was originally at IMAGE, and when it was there, I chuckled a bit, but, while it is a fun diversion, I really do not see why this deserves being collected. The TPB includes extras, and is nicely done, so I have no issues with the quality of the book. And the comic was funny. But TPB this? When there are buttloads of titles to collect? I do not get it. I love the quality of product from IDW and this is not at all bad, I just do not understand why some titles linger in publisher limbo and a title that produces gentle chuckles in me gets first class treatment.
MOSQUITO
Writer/Artist: Dan James
book, $12.95 (US) ISBN 1-891830-68-6
A rather small, odd looking book, 6” x 6”, drawn exclusively in red ink, Dan James tells the story of a vampire hunt, or, a mosquito of sorts being chased. The vampire hunter is faced with a relentless ongoing tragedy. The vampire seeks to feed. In the end, James and publisher Top Shelf visit a story upon the reader which resonates for many reasons. In using a wood cut style, there is a feeling of the ancient hunt. In using red ink, there is the depth of emotion of fear that is aroused as well as the very visceral experience of bleeding being evoked. Lastly, in the simple, wordless text, we are forced to take in the events before and translate them in our own minds.
THE KING
Writer/Artist: Rich Koslowski
original graphic novel, $19.95 (US) ISBN 1-891830-65-1
There is an Elvis impersonator who has a talent that crowds are amazed by. In Las Vegas and beyond, he draws crowds, and many begin to feel that if he is not the King, he is at the very least channeling the King's talent and power to affect people. A journalist makes it his personal mission to find out The King’s true identity. The impersonator, The King, wears a golden helmet that obscures his identity, but, in some hearts and minds, there is no reason to question; The King is Elvis. The power and cult of c
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