Joe Daly

This is one of those graphic novels that really captures psychedelic moods, but at the expense of story and characters. I never really connected with the main character, Palmer, because he seemed easily manipulated by conspiracy theorists and didn't seem to grow as a character. Also, there was a lot of toxic masculinity/sexist and racist behavior by pretty much all of the characters but nothing really came of it. I'll probably forget this book quickly because I didn't really understand it, if there even are things I am suppose to understand after reading this.… (más)

As I often do, I picked up this graphic novel at random. The name intrigued me, as it implied AD&D gaming sessions, and also the figurine on the cover, which did not fit the name at all. It seemed more Pre-Columbian, Toltec maybe, except for that very big Brainiac head.

The head in question belongs to the titular character, Millennial Boy, who, being bored one day, decides on the spur of the moment to go on a quest, eliciting friends and collecting supplies and equipment on the way. His adventures have a Gen-X, slacker vibe, mixing the fantastic and the mundane. Instead of dungeons and feral wilderness Millennial Boy and his companions trek through vacant lots and back alleys, encountering petty thugs and Molelocs (a cross between orcs and moles.) It’s haphazard and good-natured in the way of underground comic artist R. Crumb. Millennial Boy is snarky and cynical — at times I expected him to betray or take advantage of his companions in pursuit of his own goals — but he’s actually a stauncher companion than you’d think, and someone whom you’d want along on a mythical quest, even if he is too assured that he knows the best for everyone else.

The artwork I found enjoyable. There is some nudity, chiefly penises, but it’s employed in service of the story. For example, Lash Penis, who serves as the generic Fighter of the group, is wounded and enters a Pool of Healing where he encounters a oneness with the universe. I was expecting, given the snarky tone of the story, some ironic punchline for this episode, but it was played straight, and oddly affecting because of it.

I’ll continue to follow these characters on their odd yet endearing quest.… (más)

In Joe Dalys «The Red Monkey Double Happiness Book» folgen wir den aberwitzigen Abenteuern des Illustratoren Dave in Kapstadt und Umgebung.

Es ist Dalys zweiter Band beim hervorragenden amerikanischen Comic-Verlag Fantagraphics. Wie für sein erstes Werk «Scrublands» hat er sich scheinbar von der New Age-Bewegung inspirieren lassen. Charaktere wie Daves bester Freund Paul, ein Hippie mit Vollbart und Didgeridoo scheinen auf diesem Trip hängengeblieben zu sein.

In der Geschichte «The leaking Cello case» geht der vom Schicksal gebeutelte Comiczeichner Dave um seiner langweiligen bezahlten Arbeit zu entfliehen der Quelle des unerträglichen Geräusches in der Wohnung über ihm nach.

In der zweiten, längeren Geschichte, jagen Dave und Paul ein entlaufenes Capybara (auch Wasserschwein genannt) in den Feuchtgebieten um Kapstadt. Das an sich schon abenteurliche Unterfangen «Grossmeerschweinjagd» entwickelt sich - frei von den Zwängen kausaler Logik - zu einer wilden Story mit vermeintlichen Aliens, skrupellosen Immobilienhaien und einem Kampfaffen.

Dalys Figuren haben eine schöne holzschnittartige Qualität. Der Band bietet uns die Gelegenheit zu sehen, wie sehr die Kolorierung die Gesamtwirkung eines Comics verändern kann. Die erste Geschichte ist in leuchtenden Farben und mit vielen Verläufen ausgeführt, während die zweite flächig, mit warmen, eher erdigen Farben gestaltet ist. Besonders gut gefallen mir die nächtlichen Szenen, eigentliche Grisaillen die in der Druckerei wohl für Schweissperlen auf der Stirn gesorgt haben dürften.

Mindestens ebenso sehr wie von den Bildern lebt der Comic aber von den absolut schrägen Dialogen, vor allem jenen zwischen Dave und Paul. Wer die «Freak Brothers» und «The Big Lebowski» mag, sollte sich diesen Comic unbedingt anschauen.… (más)

Dungeon Quest is one tripped-out mamajama of weirdo Dungeons & Dragon’s reverence and mockery.

This review is for all three volumes in the series.

The story starts out odd and gets odder and odder as it goes. And odder. I’m gonna say it’s like Dungeons & Dragons meets Twin Peaks meets Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure meets soft gay porn while stoned out of its mind. You’d think such a thing wouldn’t have an audience. Would you? Okay, maybe it has an obvious audience. Well, obviously me, because I think it is wicked awesome and revelatory in its freakitude and brings back great memories. Of playing D&D in Twin Peaks with my bros Bill & Ted while high and watching gay porn. What? Just kidding about everything except the D&D part.

The black & white illustrations are beautiful with detailed backgrounds, dramatic lighting, and excellent form, movement, and facial expressions. Daly also has an excellent grasp of pacing and storytelling. If you like strange comic books and tend to the bizarro, you can’t go wrong with this series, which is being released as entire graphic novels and not individual issues. Three books out so far, can’t wait for the next one.

















… (más)