< comics/x >
DRIP
by Chris Cilla
($4.00 from Chris Cilla / 1225 N. Emerson / Portland, OR / 97217 USA. Web:
http://home.earthlink.net/~cccilla/. Also available in the
Poopsheet Shop)
Review by Henry Chamberlain
In C. Cilla's
Drip, you find a middle-aged barefoot artist alone in his barren apartment dripping, pouring, mixing, completely lost in his work.
This character is drawn in a simple cartoon style suitable for a guy who has no time for pretense. The comic layout is simple enough too: square with four square panels per page which again is perfect for the pacing. All is basic except for some washes in the background to set the mood.
The artist is inspired and frantically creates what might be a creature in his bath tub. After awhile, he's ready to slow down, have a smoke, read a book, have a friend over and share his only bottle of wine. His friend is also of average looks and unremarkable. Then disaster strikes, all without a single word uttered.
A deadpan quality is maintained even as events reach a fever pitch which is a credit to Cilla's artistry. He is an artist with a keen sense of timing, humor, and pathos. The book's layout definately enhances the methodical storytelling, each panel acting as a frame in animation and it wouldn't be a surprise to find
Drip become animated.
Like his main character, Cilla has created something big with
Drip, in a wonderful low-key sort of way.
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