Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Review: Chimichanga by Eric Powell



Tom Waits meets Little Lulu in this surprising all ages tale from writer/illustrator Eric Powell.  Although he is best known as the creator/writer/artist of Dark Horse Comics horror fest 'The Goon' this graphic novel out today (August 31) keeps all of the macabre trappings and slapstick but leaves out the blood and adult themes making it great for all readers (I have a feeling that the middle school set will really dig this one).

Check it out.  In a run down circus of mediocrity (literal mediocrity - one of the star attractions is a strong man slightly stronger than the average man) a bearded little girl trades some of her chin whiskers to a witch for a shiny rock and a wagon.  The rock is an egg of mysterious and disgusting origins which hatches into a....thing.  Kind of a googly eyed, giant wrongness of a creature that the girl adopts as a pet and star circus attraction.  Calvin and Hobbes if Calvin had more of an attitude and Hobbes was the Elephant Man.

A little lesson about corporate greed and flatulence and a tale that reinforces loyalty to friends round out this tale.

The art was amazing.  I want to live in Powell's world, stinky fish canneries and all.  It has a depth and muted color scheme that feels like an old photo come to life and distorted.  I did have a Little Lulu vibe (main character was named Lula which I'm sure isn't coincidence) from reading the story and it had a nice, quick adventure tale that you breeze in and out of which I found refreshing.

Highly recommended.  Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.  It looks gorgeous.  It has monsters, bearded girls, talking fish and fart jokes.  And really, that's what we're all needing more of in our lives.

No comments:

Post a Comment