Restricted Frequency #181
1. Cages by Dave McKean
No. But before I get into the whys and how-comes, perhaps it best if I address all the yeses.
It is certainly beautiful work. My favorite of McKean's comix work, even more so than BLACK ORCHID or ARKHAM ASYLUM, both of which are very impressive. But rather than the hyper realistic, excessively referenced approach he utilized on those two, McKean opts for something rather whimsical in CAGES. I have no doubt that McKean leaned on much reference throughout, but he isn't so concerned with sticking to it so closely here. His figures often stretch and move in peculiar ways and his faces contort rather creepishly. Scratchy ink lines almost etch through the paper and vary in weight from ultra-thin to big and blotchy in happenstance. It's as if McKean decided to relinquish as much control as possible to ink, nib, and the laws of physics and it's gorgeous.
2. Mouthfail, pg. 5
3. The Solar Grid #7
A tour group from Mars visits Enceladus, one of Saturn’s moons, and their tendency to gawk at the original dwellers and dismiss them as primitive beings will bite them back, right where it hurts the most. Earth’s moon continues to act as a cool, disciplining buffer between the wealthy elite of Mars and the wretched left behind on Earth. Life on Earth continues however, where some may in fact be destined for greatness.
Also inside: backmatter collaboration with Elliott Colla.
Hop on board for a 50-page multi-planet installment in the sci-fi epic that will have your head spinning!
4. The Art of Comics on TSG
Check it out; Andres Salazar takes a look at THE SOLAR GRID #1 and #2 on his channel The Art of Comics, which I recommend subscribing to as Andres is a man of fine, fine taste.
It may not be completely obvious yet, but Fall is upon us. There is still time to grab an ice cream and lounge in the sun before the elements turn against us. Which I’m not going to do because I have a bookshelf to build, grass to cut, driveway to wash, and many many pages to draw.
Don’t be like me; get yourself an ice cream,
Ganzeer