Color of Earth review
There’s so much to look at in and say about Color of Earth that I’m not sure where to start. The relationship between Ehwa and her mother. Young Ehwa’s blossoming mind and body. The monk’s struggle with his emerging sexuality? All of this and more is set against a gorgeous Korean countryside. It is in nature that Ehwa defines herself, often as a flower. A fickle young girl turning into a woman, the flowers she prefers, like the way the rain falls – is constantly changing.
In some ways, the book is uncomfortable. The opening scene with two beetles mating and the young boys eagerly watching is both honest and almost too private. It’s like spying on a world that most adults would rather leave alone. Hwa handles this delicate transition through art. The boys and girls are drawn sparingly, almost like one line, the pen never leaving the paper. They are undefined though lovely. Nature, on the other hand, is exquisitely detailed. Nature is in control and humanity has no choice but to grow and follow the seasons.
Ehwa and her mother live alone. Her father has died and while it must have effected Ehwa greatly, there’s no mention of how. Her mother often hints at being lonely and uses Ehwa as her confidant, delighting in Ehwa’s growth because it gives her a reason to discuss her repressed sexuality. This relationship is all the two women have and they cherish it. Ehwa trusts her mother and believes her incapable of making any mistakes. At her mother’s encouragement, Ehwa begins to pursue innocent relationships. She and her mother string flowers outside their home and giggle at the prospect of romance. Of course, there will be a time when Ehwa’s simple longing becomes more intense but in this first, sweet volume she is a girl falling in love as quickly and as fleetingly as a butterfly chooses a flower.
I wish I had two copies of this book. One to read and one to cut out pictures to paste on boxes. It is not an easy or exciting read but there is something compelling in Ehwa and her mother.
The Eternal Smile review
In The Eternal Smile, Gene Yang and Derek Kirk Kim make an excellent team, expertly combining writing and artwork to put together three short stories that say a lot. I was really taken with Kim’s talent. I had read Yang before so I knew what to expect but the diversity of Kim’s drawings really impressed me.
The first story is by far the weakest. A young hero sets out on a quest to bring the Frog King’s head back to his love, the princess. Should he succeed he wins her hand and the kingdom. Though everything is not as it seems and in the end he must make a choice. The script is entertaining if predictable.
The last two stories are where these artists really show what they can do. In the title story, a greedy frog builds a church to an eternal smile in the sky. Layered in a funny, dime-store comic style is commentary on exploitation, religion, entertainment and power. The use of color in this story is especially impressive. I won’t spoil the ending but I will say that how Kim paints the final pages make for a beautiful ending – the type that’s leaves you with a smile.
As much as I enjoyed “The Eternal Smile”, the final story is the book’s best. In this story Yang and Kim show what a great team they make. Kim perfectly illustrates Yang’s brow-beaten secretary. Kim boxes her in her panels like she’s boxed in her cubicle. She is cherubic and small but an email from a Nigerian prince asking for money makes her bigger. She answers the email and complies with the requests. Just that simple concept alone makes me love this story.
Through each story could easily turn dark, Yang and Kim don’t let that happen. After a week of indie comics and a vampire book, I was happy to see an eternal smile.
Eternal Smile preview
Yay! Gene Yang and Derek Kirk Kim’s The Eternal Smile is almost here! Here’s a preview from Publisher’s Weekly:
It’s kind of awkward viewing but worth it. The more I hear about or see of this title the more excited I am to read it.
Veterans’ Day
Happy (?) Veterans’ Day! I hope all our veterans are finding the peace and care and love they need today.
So as you remember your loved ones or hug your kids, try picking up some of these great war graphic novels:
Deogratias, A Tale of Rwanda written and illustrated by J.P. Stassen. Deogratias is a teenage boy living in Rwanda. Though he’s a Hutu, he loves two Tutsi sisters for their different charms. The people around him begin to raise their voices and arms in violence, Deogratias too begins to believe their chants, seeing himself as a dog laying in the street. He becomes drunk on rhetoric and influence eventually destroying himself and the things he loves.
Fallen Son: The Death Of Captain America Premiere HC by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by various artists. Sure Batman has neat gadgets and Superman can fly but Captain America was a soldier. In Fallen Son, those who were close to him mourn his death, moving through the stages of grief while trying to continue his mission to make all of America a safer place.
Light Brigade by Peter Tomasi and illustrated by Peter Snejbjerg uses World War II as a background of an even bigger fight, that between Heaven and Hell. A group of weary American soldiers encounter a group of Germans who are more than human. The brigade must race these fallen angels to a powerful sword, battling indestructible zombies and, at times, their own faith.
Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History written and illustrated by Art Spiegleman is a reminder that not all veteran’s of war choose to be there. It is often the innocent, the people who are being fought for or against that suffer the most. In his memoir recounting his Jewish father’s days in Nazi Germany, Spiegelman created a classic.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood written and illustrated by Marjane Satrapi. During the war between Iran and Iraq, Satrapi was a child. This is her memories and her coming of age, her liberation. She watches as her parents protest an oppressive regime. It highlights the importance of every day citizens to stand up for themselves and their government, if it is needed.
Shooting War by Anthony Lappe and illustrated by Dan Goldman. In the year 2011, a little known video blogger Jimmy Burns captures a terrorist bombing on tape. He quickly rises to fame when his video goes viral. He’s tapped by the Global News Network for the ongoing war in Iraq, covering the war for President McCain and the folks back home. Once there he discovers that his fame is worth a lot less than his skin and sanity.
