By David B., translated by Kim Thompson (Fantagraphics Books and Coconino Press)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56097-809-1
The second release (I hesitate to call it a volume, as the format, though bold and wonderful, is more than a magazine but less than a book) from the eclectic and surreal ongoing masterpiece of French creator David B. continues the startling, intimate tale of the artist and his family through the most evocative years of recent history.
Printed using only black and red screens, the tale resumes with the artist recalling how, as children, he and his brother became obsessed with all the far-flung wars as seen in their grandfather’s old issues of Paris Match. Especially affecting were the pictures of the natives of Papua, New Guinea…
Years later, as a teenager he reads more of the Papuans and tries to apply their striking beliefs and convictions as he comes to terms with his brother’s crippling epilepsy. Via surreal and introspective diversions, the artist arrives at a point where he can picture how the Algerian conflict (ongoing during his childhood) might actually be unfolding…
David B is a founder member of the groundbreaking strip artists group L’Association, and has won numerous awards including the Alph’ Art for comics excellence and European Cartoonist of the Year (by the Comics Journal) in 1998. His seamless blending of artistic Primitivism, visual metaphor, and high and low cultural icons makes this work (the 8th book of his “Ignatz†saga) a mesmeric and darkly lyrical treat for anyone who needs more meat in their narrative.
Wrapped in a fabulous gate-fold wraparound cover with a fascinating strip exploring the cultural significance of the horse to the Native American (part of the Acta Zoolologica sequence that describes “psychopompic†animals) this is not a book for everyone, but for the open-minded it offers truly magical experiences.
© 2006 David B. Book edition © 2006 Fantagraphics Books and Coconino Press.