There are two new books I will hole myself up in the house with and read cover to cover this weekend: #1 (obviously) Harry Potter And The Deathly Hollows. #2 The Blot by Tom Neely. Neely is my new graphic novel crush. The Blot is an existential nightmare living in the form of an ink blot that plagues the cartoon protagonist's daily life panel to panel. He simply wakes up to a blot that will not go away. It pesters and festers in everything from food to taking over people's faces. The graphic style is comparable to old timey comic strips of the depression era as well as surrealist Magritte paintings. And since the comic is "silent" (no talking bubbles) one can focus on the subtleties of the narrative and the hand crafted vintage style. The complete graphic novel as well as the serialized versions are now available at Secret Headquarters and they're holding a reception for Tom Neely tomorrow night. Neely is taken but I can still get my book signed.


Friday, Jul. 20th 8:00-10:00pm
The Blot opening reception with author Tom Neely
Secret Headquarters
3817 Sunset Blvd.
Silver Lake, 90026


Also, check out Tom Neely's ode to 1940s propaganda cartoons - his political satire "Brother Can You Spare a Job?".

Labels: books, comics, events, videos