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Friday, December 31, 2010

Books If I Had a Top Ten List for 2011, This Would Be On It

Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Dec 31, 2010 at 2:24 PM

ACME Novelty Library number 20 came out within the last month, and even when compared to Chris Ware's usual high standards, it is an incredible book. It's the life story of a man named Jordan Lint—literally, his entire life from birth to death—and it's awe-inspiring stuff.

The most impressive part of this book is the way Ware channels the "voice" of his character through his art. As a baby, Lint sees things in expressionistic blocks. His mother's face is huge, her body is tiny. Language slowly forms inside word bubbles, evolving from swirls of messy scribbles into language. As the narrative moves through Lint's life, we start to get a broader, more adult understanding of his life. And as he ages, the colors start to dim and the story becomes more and more bitter. I won't go quite so far as to say it's Ware's best work ever, but it's goddamned close.

There's not much I can really say about this book. If I kept at it, I would just be throwing adjectives at it. If you like comics, you should absolutely read this book. Now. Do it.

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And for god's sake don't kill yourself afterwards. It's great, but it's the most depressing thing Ware's ever done.

Posted by Puty on December 31, 2010 at 2:36 PM

I found it to be great 2/3rds of the way through and then it collapsed in to typical depressing Ware narrative. I love the guy but found this work to be formulaic. The end is pure sheesh-ville.
Still worth picking up though. The man is a genius and even his middling works are worthwhile.
One of his worst pieces overall.

Posted by Ignatz Mouse on December 31, 2010 at 3:32 PM

Every time I think about doing some comic work, I remember Chris Ware and go lie down and contemplate my complete lack of talent.

Posted by Peter F on December 31, 2010 at 3:50 PM

Ware is a genius.

I was in Chicago this summer and went to the Louis Sullivan exhibit that he helped to design. Perfect combination of visual masters.

Posted by Dod on December 31, 2010 at 7:49 PM