Saturday 21 February 2009

DIES IRAE

You can read the whole 26 page first chapter of Spain Rodriguez and Justin Wertham's "Dies Irae" graphic novel online. It's a great piece of work. I hope someone will publish the complete story. It seems crazy that something this good hasn't seen print. Just click the banner below, and it'll take you to the story.

3 comments:

Malachi Ward said...

I'm not quite seeing the quality of this. What is it you like about it so much?

Richard Cowdry said...

Just a great "adventure" strip, plus the political elements. I love the comics references in the story (to Ditko and Kirby), and how Steve looks like Trashman at the end.
But I'm a Spain fan, and a fan of underground comix.
Maybe this kind of thing doesn't read so well to some people? Perhaps it's a different kind of story telling to most modern comics?

Malachi Ward said...

I also enjoy Spain and the comix scene he was a part of, but I think my problem mostly has to do with how preachy and didactic the story is. At least judging from the first 26 pages, the author doesn't seem too concerned with the adventure aspects, and more concerned with ramming political views down our throats. (That's not to say I don't agree with the views)

The Ditko references are pretty telling, I think. Ditko was one of the greats, but I still can't stand how he became unable to tell a real story with actual characters because he was so consumed with spreading his philosophy.

I think that it's totally cool to integrate philosophy and political views into an action or thriller story, but when it detracts from the story I don't like it.

But maybe that's the charm of the story? That it's really over the top, and morally black and white. I don't know. I guess it's just not my kind of storytelling.

Anyway, sorry for ramble, and I love your blog!