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Thu, 21 Aug 2003
The Acme Novelty Datebook by Chris Ware
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I usually don't like to read artist's sketchbooks because they weren't
meant to ever be collected and read. That is, artists use sketchbooks
to work out different approaches in order to incorporate the best bits
into their published works. Maybe I just am looking for a narrative
hook to tickle the story centers of my brain, but I need more than just
some purty pictures of the artist's own thumb and such. Where others
have failed, Chris Ware delivers with The Acme Novelty Datebook,
a lushly designed and produced collection of sketchbook material
chosen by the artist from almost a decade worth of his work.
I tore through this pretty quickly, as you might expect of a sketchbook, but I kept hitting gooey hunks of brilliant little comic strips and self-deprecating tirades that gave more depth than you would expect, all in lavish full-color. This book is a thing of great beauty to behold, and is just the thing to read if you are ever feeling too happy. Like his comics, Ware's sketchbooks can be a lonely and depressing place to visit, but the rare moments of joy are highlighted and focused to great effect in contrast. |
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