SERIOUS CREATURES
Writer: Tony McMillen
Artist: Tony McMillen
Colorist: Tony McMillen
Letterer: Tony McMillen
Publisher: Bounce House
"Meet Bobby Feckle, a teenage special effects wizard growing up alongside the movie industry of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Witness the glorious rise and even more fantastic fall of the practical effects industry through the eyes of the 14-year-old wunderkind who helped shaped both."
This is yet another book I can thank the Wizerd Zine for bringing to my attention. From the second I saw Tony's art in that book I knew I need to read the full story. His art style is striking and has a sense of chaotic nature that is visually appealing in ways you don't see in mainstream comics. His
use of a chisel tip ink pen is how he gets achieves this unique visual style. While Serious Creatures is the book we'll be talking about, I highly recommend his other project Lumen as well.
Tony has often referred to Serious Creatures as a "love letter to monster movies, blockbusters, special effects and coming of age stories." Having a "decades long scope of works like Goodfellas and Boogie Nights but also the in-over-his-head working kid charm of Almost Famous or...Doogie Howser".
As a fan of the movie industry, especially of the guys behind the camera, this book was right up my alley. Bobby Feckle being an special FX wizard under the tutelage of Jack Barber is a great sgory to watch unfold. Much like the art, this is a story you won't find in mainstream stuff. From Bobby to Nancy the sceam-queen or Simulation Jim (the stuntman who practices ballet), McMillen's characters are all so well thought out and are a testament to his worldbuilding skills.
It's such a fun read and will leave you begging for more after just one issue. Sadly I was a little late to the game, so I have to wait for the trade to read the rest of the series. You can find all of Ton'ys work on his Etsy shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/tonymcmillen), but hurry because these books are selling out as we speak.
Issues 1-6 will comprise the first of two volumes which will tell the complete saga of Bobby Feckle. So make sure you hit that link above and check out more of Tony's work, you won't regret it.
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