Fantastic Butterflies
January 5th, 2003by James Kochalka
ISBN: 1891867180
This is the most recent of Kochalka’s graphic novels. Many of his familiar characters are represented (Magic Boy, Amy, and Jason X-12, among others) and of course there is a robot. He has honed his ability to introduce what anywhere else would be unbelievable absurd elements like public time machines in place of pay phones, and make them seem unremarkable if not inevitable parts of the story.
The format is the same as his other graphic novels, square bound with variations on four-panel pages. The same fluid, thicker lines and black and white images are at work here. While maintaining a simple style, he isn’t afraid to pack a lot of detail into his panels, and this shows particularly in the panels that take place inside his friends apartment. In other sections, Kochalka seems to be successfully experimenting with shadow in a way that resembles woodcuts.
If you are already a Kochalka fan, this is worth checking out. If you haven’t read his stuff yet, but appreciate a quirky sense of humor and a sense of depth, you should. Plus, Kochalka’s a secure enough guy that he lets his comic alter ego Magic Boy be bailed out by his suddenly kungu fu fighting wife in a barfight. Doesn’t that sound like something you want to read?
January 7th, 2003 at 9:28 am
This was the rirst (and so far only but there’ll be more) Kochalka I read. His style and his world are terrific, but I remember being shocked by the price (although not what it was).
If this stuff was sensibly priced, and available in actual book shops (comic shops are icky) then I’d read a lot more of it, and start recommending it to other people.
Have you checked out Kyle Baker of “Why I Hate Saturn”, etc? Another, quite different, version of what “mainstream comics” might mean in a saner world…
January 10th, 2003 at 3:43 pm
I haven’t read “Why I Hate Saturn” but I’ll look it over on my next comic store trip.
Other Kochalka is definitely worth reading: for more Magic Boy there is Quit Your Job, and for cute there is Pinky & Stinky.
I’ve noticed some regular bookstores around here (Boston area) are starting to have Graphic Novels sections. As what comes as no surprise, the chain bookstores only carry Marvel, etc and the independents carry, well, independents.