Fiction  > Avant Garde

Fran h/c


Fran h/c Fran h/c

Fran h/c back

Jim Woodring

Price: 
£17.98

Page 45 Review by Stephen

Rarely do I quote from Woodring's works - being silent, that proves problematic - but I thought I'd make an exception for the 'Author's note' which had me in stitches. But no, I'll leave you to discover that for yourself.

Discovery is what Jim Woodring's all about: discovery, temptation, transmogrification, cat-killing curiosity, cause-and-often-unexpected-effect, surreal, dream-like journeys and the sheer love of visual craftsmanship deployed by a shaman whose imagination seems limitless. Here his trademark, rippled-textured contours as if printed from the most intricately carved woodcuts are more splendid than ever, particularly down underground where a thief has built up quite an esoteric stash.

Rarely if ever are they about romance, except between loyal pets Pupshaw and Pushpaw who fit together so snugly side by side as if carved and then halved from the same whole cloth. But now Frank has found Fran in CONGRESS OF THE ANIMALS (I would seriously read that first and then again afterwards but SPOILERS!) and poor Pupshaw and Pushpaw aren't at all sure what to make of her.

She's playful and physical and bursting with energy - maybe too much energy for our Frank, for he is dragged out of bed when hoping of a lazy lie-in. Still at least it's all play, so cool! There's piggy-backs, hide and seek, chase-me, climbing a tree, a holding of hands and then sunset.

You're getting suspicious, aren't you?

As I say, FRANK is all about discovery and our uncharacteristically fortunate Frank discovers a treasure-trove of appropriated property including a psychic projector - a memoryscope if you like - and pops it on his noggin. Cue rewind through CONGRESS OF THE ANIMALS, the events which led Frank to co-habitational bliss. He is delighted! Next it is Pupshaw and Pushpaw's turn and they are delighted too. Now it is Fran's turn…

I've written far more detailed reviews of Jim Woodring books including WEATHERCRAFT which we made Page 45 Comicbook Of The Month, but I think I've said enough. I may have said too much.

So this is me in the corner, recommending this book like nobody's business not only because he was our Mark's favourite comicbook creator of all time, but because the journeys have proved increasingly more intriguing, the craftsmanship, improbably, keeps on improving, and there are moments here which you will undoubtedly recognise in your own lives.

I have one word for you here: trust.

And that's not about buying this book; it's about the book itself.
Rarely do I quote from Woodring's works - being silent, that proves problematic - but I thought I'd make an exception for the 'Author's note' which had me in stitches. But no, I'll leave you to discover that for yourself.

Discovery is what Jim Woodring's all about: discovery, temptation, transmogrification, cat-killing curiosity, cause-and-often-unexpected-effect, surreal, dream-like journeys and the sheer love of visual craftsmanship deployed by a shaman whose imagination seems limitless. Here his trademark, rippled-textured contours as if printed from the most intricately carved woodcuts are more splendid than ever, particularly down underground where a thief has built up quite an esoteric stash.

Rarely if ever are they about romance, except between loyal pets Pupshaw and Pushpaw who fit together so snugly side by side as if carved and then halved from the same whole cloth. But now Frank has found Fran in CONGRESS OF THE ANIMALS (I would seriously read that first and then again afterwards but SPOILERS!) and poor Pupshaw and Pushpaw aren't at all sure what to make of her.

She's playful and physical and bursting with energy - maybe too much energy for our Frank, for he is dragged out of bed when hoping of a lazy lie-in. Still at least it's all play, so cool! There's piggy-backs, hide and seek, chase-me, climbing a tree, a holding of hands and then sunset.

You're getting suspicious, aren't you?

As I say, FRANK is all about discovery and our uncharacteristically fortunate Frank discovers a treasure-trove of appropriated property including a psychic projector - a memoryscope if you like - and pops it on his noggin. Cue rewind through CONGRESS OF THE ANIMALS, the events which led Frank to co-habitational bliss. He is delighted! Next it is Pupshaw and Pushpaw's turn and they are delighted too. Now it is Fran's turn…

I've written far more detailed reviews of Jim Woodring books including WEATHERCRAFT which we made Page 45 Comicbook Of The Month, but I think I've said enough. I may have said too much.

So this is me in the corner, recommending this book like nobody's business not only because he was our Mark's favourite comicbook creator of all time, but because the journeys have proved increasingly more intriguing, the craftsmanship, improbably, keeps on improving, and there are moments here which you will undoubtedly recognise in your own lives.

I have one word for you here: trust.

And that's not about buying this book; it's about the book itself.

spacer