The Final ’90s Countdown: Part Four.
Continuing on with the Final ’90s Countdown, still in the “single vote” tier, but even only getting one vote doesn’t make it less than great, as seen by this fine example:
Black Hole (Kitchen Sink/Fantagraphics, 1995-2005)
Gotta admit, it’s been a while since I’ve read Black Hole, the book that could very well be described as Charles Burns’ magnum opus. I mean, I may be more a Big Baby guy myself, but regardless of whatever project he’s working on, it’s hard to think of anyone who does just straight up creepy and unsettling comics imagery in so sleek a fashion as Burns does.
And Black Hole is absolutely a showcase for those talents, as the story, involving an STD spreading through a bunch of teens that leaves them with grotesque deformities, provides ample opportunity for Burns to disturb the reader.
Interestingly there’s a short precursor to Black Hole that ran in Steve Bissette’s horror anthology Taboo in 1989. Titled “Contagious,” and just four pages, but definitely of a piece with the longer work. It ends on more of a EC Comics-ish “we’re all doomed” note, as opposed to Black Hole which delves more deeply into the personal impact and societal implications of such a disease.
You may have notice that I had two publishers listed for the series above. The first four issues came out from Kitchen Sink Press, which unfortunately went out of business following the release of #4. Fantagraphics published the remaining eight issues, while rereleasing issues 1 through 4. It took a while for these 12 issues to come out, just over an issue per year, but as I recall interest in the title remained strong at the shop over its run. Each new issue created a small flurry of interest in previous issues, and I think they were readily available for reorder from one source or another.
Of course now you don’t need to fiddle around with them floppy ol’ funnybooks, as the whole kit ‘n’ caboodle has since been gathered together under one cover, as is the popular way with comics of note. That Black Hole collection, available from Pantheon, is still currently available in both hardcover and trade paperback form. It should also be noted that a copy of this book makes a cameo in the film Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), as a young human bonds with Maurice the orangutan as they peruse it.
Anyway, be like Maurice: if you haven’t read this comic and can handle some distressing imagery, I recommend you give it a try. It’s definitely a classic of the medium…not usually mentioned in the same breath as Maus and Watchmen, but probably should be.
I should reread this. I didn’t care for it when I read the trade shortly after publication, but I loved Burns’s Final Cut and Kommix was impressive as well.
I should probably read more by Charles Burns. I know he’s released a couple of graphic novels in the past year or two. He really can make the most mundane scenes look menacing.
I’m going to start with a reread of Black Hole, though. A gem caked in grime. It’s tempting to think of his style as static, but I remember it improving over the course of BH. Maybe that’s what the long delays between issues were about.
I was scared off by the covers of the single issues- I’ve never been a big fan of body horror- but I got the hardcover when it came out, and it won me over. The art, believable (if not always likable) characters, and creepiness were extremely well-executed.
If we have been allowed two picks, this quite likely would have been my second pick. While technically body horror, it’s not the blood and disgusting kind IIRC; more body-creepiness-and-unsettling.
I Borrowed a friend’s copy and read it shortly after the collected edition came out. I loved the vibe he captured. It had the same Northwestern eeriness that Twin Peaks had. I need to read it again someday.
The splash page of “Planet Xeno” with the severed arm holding a roach suspended in the air and the foliage in the background burned an indelible spot into my brain.
Such a singular vision/style too!
I love working with a brush but I can’t imagine producing more than a couple of pages in his style without losing my mind.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/380272762259215023/
I didn’t even realize Black Hole was published as single issue comics. I thought the hardcover edition from Pantheon I bought in 2005 was the original.
Also:
The backgrounds in a lot of it, esp. the nature setting feel like someone channeling a combination of Lyn Ward & Virgil Finlay.
Very nice!
looks like Thanos had a daughter with a reptile!