There’s a category of pop comic that I haven’t really discussed yet: the anthology devoted to a specific band/musician. Starting in the mid 90s with Kitchen Sink’s Grateful Dead Comix and continuing through the musician-themed volumes from Image Comics in recent years, it’s a format that’s proven to be appealing to creators and audiences alike.
In July, British indie band Art Brut released a comic anthology to accompany their new album Brilliant! Tragic!. Each song from the record is interpreted by a different comic artist, some offering a straight reading of the lyrics, some simply using them as a jumping-off point. The list of contributors is formidable: Hope Larson, Marc Ellerby, Chris Haley, Jeffrey Brown, Jeffrey Lewis, Sian Superman, Akira The Don, Jamie S. Rich, Mr. Solo, Curt Franklin, Bryan Lee O’Malley, Mikey Georgeson, Jeff Lemire, Patrick McQuade, and Jamie McKelvie (who by no mere coincidence did the illustration for the Brilliant! Tragic! album that also serves as the cover of this comic). It’s the sort of project that could easily read like a cross between a fanzine and a tribute album, but thankfully, it manages to avoid the pitfalls of both those extremes; it’s polished, but not overly reverent to the source material. It’s a fun read and a beautiful object: oversized (10″ x 12″) and printed on high quality glossy paper with a cardstock cover. In addition to the song-specific pieces, it includes a pin-up centerspread, a bonus story detailing the hardships and glories of being an Art Brut fan, liner notes by lyricist/vocalist Eddie Argos, and a letters page.
The highlights are many, and even the pieces that aren’t to my liking shed new light on the music… And that’s a key consideration when reviewing this: that it’s a companion to an album, not a stand-alone work. The sound of Art Brut is vital to their appeal, the contrasts of precise words and anthemic music, barely maintained control and unchecked passion. And while their unique aural alchemy can’t be translated into print, their spirit can. Their music’s energy and their DIY enthusiasm shines through, and it brings out the best in every contributor.
Brilliant! Tragic! The Comic Book is available at Art Brut shows, or by mail order from Townsend Records UK.
All articles in the Pop Music Comics series can be found here.