by Peter Kuper
ISBN: 1400052572
Kuper has crafted a wordless story of empire, of conquest and its consequences. It is a story that would probably be recognizable in any time and any language, but seems all the more impressive in its stark condemnation of ruthless power given current events. No doubt Kuper’s intention in creating an inept, angry, powerful and greedy blockhead who squelches dissent was to tell both a timeless and timely parable.
The art here is fantastic. The bold sketchwork combined with a fine-spatter noise bring to mind both old cartoons and vintage silent movies. Most of the story is in black and white, with a few pages and panels breaking out into vibrant color. I found myself reading for the story, reading again to really look at the art, reading again to see how Kuper put it together… mainly, just reading it again.
If wordless graphic novels, political parables, or just well-made square books with art in them appeal to you, pick up Kuper’s latest effort. I haven’t read any of his other books, (including an adaptation of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis) and now I think I will seek them out. Recommended.
