DC Conspiracy[dots pattern]

6.13.2005

Doll Parts

Last weekend me and a handful of other conspirators jumped in the battle wagon and drove north to Philly. The Wizard World Con is one of more mainstream conventions that I’ve been to, but one of the things that I was looking forward to seeing was the artist alley. I mean, for the most part, I know what to expect when the newest issue of Y comes out. I know I’m going to enjoy the latest issue of Stray Bullets. Those things are a given. You will rarely be surprised by them, like fried chicken your mom makes. It’s always good. And while that meal is always filling, it’s sometimes more adventurous to hit up that darkly lit restaurant on the corner, the one with the nicotine stained windows. Surprise is a good thing. Buying books at a con that you’ve never heard of from people that you’ve never heard of is the real treat to this comics fan. Most of the time you get some heart felt home grown amateur storytelling, but every once in a while you get Doll Parts.

The first thing that gravitated me to this table was the spectacular covers. I recently read a web poll somewhere where people were asking what covers they find most striking. Some said headshots. Some said action sequences. For me it’s iconic imagery. The best example I can think of is the covers to the Watchmen series. I’m always impressed when the cover image is so strong that you can’t resist taking a look inside. When it’s so simple that the emotion doesn’t get lost amongst some stylish masturbation that we artists seem to have a hard time getting away from. Ask me why I have redrawn the cover to my next book 3 times so far. Anyway, here’s the covers to the first two issues of Doll Parts…

ish 1


ish 2

Striking huh? Makes you really want to look inside doesn’t it? Well, my girlfriend and I have a real affinity for serial killers, so I was sucked right in. The Con special sealed the deal as well. Anyway, the insides of these books are just as good as the outsides. I thought the storytelling was strong, and able to switch scenes and follow multiple characters without confusing the reader. I think what I enjoyed the most is that everyone’s so well fleshed out. From the creepy pedophile living across from the elementary school (shades of The Woodsman), the taxidermist kid who’s involved in the murders (or is he?) or the sterile housewife who hates sex and identifies her femininity with being a mother.

The artwork is beautiful too, and what I would call non-traditional. It looks to be penciled, with grays put in digitally. Although they don’t really look at that similar, the interior art reminds me a lot of Monica’s art at Raised By Squirrels. Melissa’s art is really stylized, and brings this sense of the real world to the story. I’ve been drawing for about 15 years, and I don’t feel I have this much of a sense of identity in my art yet. I really can’t say enough about this book. It’s only a three part story, and I picked up the first two parts at the con. Anyway, the artist (www.melerwin.com) and writer (www.christopherherndon.com) have website, with more contact information about the book being on the artists site. I highly suggest to everyone to go out and pick up the first issue.

Jacob at 8:51 AM  |  link to this     

4 Comments

I bought this as well but haven't checked it out yet. Too many comics...

Jason at 6/13/2005 10:42 AM   

"Too many comics..."

No kidding! I went to Phoenix Comics near GMU on Saturday looking for a friend's book. I never really checked out their individual-books racks before--I prefer the trades--and was simply overwhelmed. Even if you pare the superhero stuff, there's a lotta books! Of course, I did end up getting one "superhero" book--"Super F*ckers." It was a quick read with some funny parts, but I'm not sure it was $7 worth of laughs. Perhaps the laugh is on me....

Dembicki at 6/13/2005 10:56 AM   

Thanks Jacob! I don't think my art's anwhere near as cool, but I appreciate the props anyway!

BTW, if those covers aren't actual watercolors (not Photoshop), I'll eat my hat. :)

monica at 6/14/2005 10:17 PM   

Hey Jacob, were you trying to get in touch with me? It's Charlie Anders aka Charlie Girl. You can reach me at www.charlie-girl.com or charlie@charlie-girl.com.

Charlie at 6/25/2005 3:17 PM   

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