#dorfler

[brandybradyrandyandyndy]

Gamser und Dorfler aus Schwere Jungs (2006)

[coverlessreviews-blog]

Dorfler

By Jeremy Baum

Published by Fantagraphics 2015

The plot and narrative of this graphic novel is trippy and obtuse, but the storytelling has a nice fluid flow to it. This was the only thing that kept me engaged while I was almost entirely confused by the constant jumps between realities. So while I may have been confused by the narrative, the artwork, which is colored using old school markers, had a very organic feel, despite the metatextual sci-fi overtones.

Now, I’m not exactly sure what the deal was with the main character, nor which life scenario was the real one. There’s the future city scape one, where the military has laid down the law and all must obey. Or there’s the weird fantasy sci-fi and probably virtual reality one? Or maybe all the realities are various dreams? I’m not sure. It’s not clear on purpose, which is fine, it gives the story a sense of unease and mystery, which is cool in spots.

While I enjoyed the book for the most part, it’s definitely not masterful. Honestly, I am surprised this was published by Fantagraphics. It just does not have the look of one of their books. This looks like a small indy publisher type of book, like a Slave Labor Graphics book or at best a Drawn & Quarterly book. Yeah, I know Fantagraphics is small too, but their books are usually a lot more artsy fartsy than this, or a lot more pretentious at least. Dorfler is a weird book, but it’s usual comic book fare.

Baum’s art though, while not excellent, is probably what I found the most interesting. It’s borderline amateurish, but you can see the labor of love in every marker stroke and for that alone, I have to give it some love. In this digital comic book art age we are in, I am drawn more and more to comics that are produced with the most amount of pure hand work. Baum’s work on this book looks almost entirely old school. And the best part is that, you can see there is huge potential in his work. Right off the bat his work got me thinking of an early Faryl Dalrymple. Compare Dalrymples POP GUN WAR to WRENCHIES and you can see the huge advance in his work over time. I think that’s what is going to happen to Baum. Maybe that’s what Fantagraphics saw with this book. The potential? And they wanted the opportunity to publish some of his early work as an investment for the future? I don’t know, whatever.

DORFLER is not a perfect book, but it was enjoyable. Go here to get your copy.

[fantagraphics]

A comics double-header this Monday at Kafe Kerouac in Columbus, OH. Their difference in style and subject highlights the beauty of comics; if you can dream it, you can draw it! 

Monday, August 24th at 8 PM

[brokenfrontier]

Dörfler - Jeremy Baum's Debut Graphic Novel is a Trippy but Demanding Piece of Work

Dörfler - Jeremy Baum's Debut Graphic Novel is a Trippy and Demanding Narrative

In Dörfler, his debut graphic novel from Fantagraphics, Pittsburgh-based cartoonist Jeremy Baum scales up his familiar style and approach to create a hypnotic narrative that trips gaily along a tightrope over the abyss of obscurity. Given the way this complex book plays fast and loose with time, space and logic, it’s maybe easier to list some of its elements than to try and give a summary of the…

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[fantagraphics]

Dörfler by Jeremy Baum - Cover Uncovered

Today we’re sharing the final cover for Dörfler , the debut graphic novel from Jeremy Baum. Dörfler is set in a dystopian world where memories have become weaponized tools of the totalitarian police state. The story unfolds across multiple dimensions of time and space, amidst a backdrop of beauty and decay in two very different landscapes. Two lovers wander the Northern Mountains, ancient lands where inter-dimensional creatures roam and electronic technology has been rendered inoperable. A woman in the city is on a mission for revenge against the government that subjects its citizens to cruel experiments.

Stay tuned to the Flog for coming posts that will reveal more art and story. The book is also available for pre-order now.

[davewachter]

A pin-up I did for Jeremy Baum's upcoming new book. The imagery comes from his story.

[haroldnmod-blog]