ESCALATORby Brandon Graham
($12.95,
Alternative Comics,
Brandon Graham)
Reviewed by Mark CamposOne story in this collection namechecks Paul Pope, Moebius, and Vaughn Bode on the same page. You could guess this guy's influences without opening the book. Another story describes a tagging run — the author used to be heavily involved in the graffiti art scene. You could have guessed that too. Unlike other graffitistas who have taken up the comics cross, though, Brandon can spin a story, and his lines and blacks shore him up nicely — like Farel Dalyrimple inking "BEM"-era Gilbert Hernandez.
Most of the stories are shards of what should be larger works. Check out "Green Porn", a strong shot of urban magic realism, and "Ieonium Blue", which is like a lost episode of "Halo Jones". Combine with the proper music, maybe a Damo Suzuki period CAN track, and you can complete some tidy little bookmovies in your head with these comics. I hope Brandon finds the scope to do some longer stores soon.
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