Charles Burns – Kommix – Fantagraphics (english version)

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Published on Mercoledì, 31 Luglio 2024 16:48

Scritto da Andrea Turetta

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From the imagination of Charles Burns: 80 comic books that never were. Master cartoonist Charles Burns has never hidden his passion for comic books and pop culture from the 1950 and 1960s. Inspired by the romance, horror, and sci-fi comics of his youth, as well as the 1960s American underground, the author of Black Hole has created a collection of eighty original comic book covers that, through his own inimitable aesthetic, present an alternate universe of stories that never were, but that you will wish existed.

The covers — some with otherworldly titles in alien letterforms, and others that riff on classic genres (Throbbing Hearts, Unwholesome Love) and eras (Drug Buddy, Huss) — each inspire a multitude of interpretations, build entire worlds, and suggest entire narratives that lie within their non-existent guts. This is Burns at his most playful, imaginative, and suggestive, using the format of the comic book to continue to explore many of the themes that run through all his longer-form work — adolescence, metamorphosis, nightmares, and sexuality — and provide a pretext for the creation of some of the most mysterious and bewitching imagery of Burns's incredible career. Kommix is like discovering an entire box of comic books you never knew existed.

Sometimes, to write a good book, you just need a clear and incisive idea. This work by Charles Burns invites us to discover his unique style and his fascinating and disturbing stories. The author demonstrates his ability to condense different situations, frequently engaging with themes of identity and anguish. His ability to combine fantastic elements with everyday life makes each page an engaging experience in the labyrinths of the mind and human experiences.

This artistic project can be considered a collection of ideas that offers fans a unique opportunity to explore the artist's creative process and inspirations. Even when dealing with complex subjects, the author's love for comics and pop culture of the '50s and '60s is clearly perceived. Romance, horror and science fiction comics have profoundly influenced popular culture and the American underground movement of the '60s ushered in a new era of freedom of expression and alternative aesthetics. Burns' work draws on these influences to explore themes such as identity and the darker aspects of society. His art is distinguished by the attention to detail and the use of ink, which recall the comics of that period. In particular, "Komiks" stands out for its ability to evoke feelings of nostalgia, mixed with a certain anguish, making the reading both intense and stimulating. The work provokes a reflection on the universal themes of humanity, while maintaining a strong original aesthetic imprint.

In short, "Komiks" by Charles Burns is a fundamental work for those who love comics and visual art. Burns mixes references to pop culture, creating an atmosphere that is both nostalgic and disturbing. This combination of elements makes his work distinctive and engaging, capable of attracting readers of various backgrounds and interests. His investigation of significant themes, combined with an aesthetic that recalls past eras, makes his stories particularly evocative. Each cover, among the eighty present in the book, not only attracts attention but also evokes strong emotions.

They said:

" Charles Burns's comics are fluid, smooth and as solidly built as a vintage TV set, but they shudder with the chill of the uncanny." — Douglas Wolk - The New York Times

"One of the books that first made me fall in love with comics was Burns's 2005 dystopian creep-fest Black Hole and I have been devoted to his high-contrast weirdness ever since." — Rachel Cooke - The Guardian

"Burns's stark chiaroscuro and thick, wood-block-esque line work [are] staples of the alternative-comics scene." — Abraham Riesman - Vulture

"In Kommix, [Burns] compiles dreamlike scenes, stylized to look like the covers of love comics from the nineteen-fifties and sixties, cheap pulp and porno zines, or exoticized foreign-looking publications. A punk Tintin, together with his black cat, discovers a large and fleshy appendage in the woods; a couple's intimate moment is disrupted by a perky intruder; and romantic teen-age scenes of passion and jealousy play out with a cast of all-male youngsters." — The New Yorker

Author: Charles Burns

Title: Kommix

Publisher: Fantagraphics

Pages: 80

Format: Hardback

Color: Full-color

Dimensions: 7.7" × 10.3"

ISBN-13

9781683969570

$24.99

For more information:

https://www.fantagraphics.com/collections/new-this-month/products/kommix