I've come to realize that artist/writer Larry Johnson is the ultimate when it comes to building worlds both sweet and offbeat, envisioned as they are by luxuriant artwork (rendered via captivating, technicolor and monochrome shades) and phantasmagorical storytelling.
Johnson's latest, the 48-page Dream Diary #3, seals the deal, with scenarios that could have sprung straight from one's nightly slumber, building relatable narratives, but with peculiar angles that bud with bold, organic abandon.
Johnson stars in these (mis)adventures, with each reverie dated, as he launches us on a full-throttle, Twilight Zone-meets-The Far Side plunge with "The Green Potato Chip" (where a smidgeon of poison ivy insinuates calamity); "The Obelisk" (a play upon The Monolith Monsters, but in this case, the ascent is more awe-inspiring than disruptive); "The Tattooed Model" (a Bradbury-ish situation set at the artist's hub); "The Living Doll" (a wee figure comes to life with sadistic results); "Nuclear Disaster" (The Day After hits down the forlorn road); "The Office Engineer" (a battery-operated mishap disrupts the work flow); "The Cave Locomotive" (bulky machinery dominates a sequestered colony); "Bad Trip" (a carefree sojourn is rocked by an explosive, hospital elevator); "Off the Record" (a strange, vinyl disc spins a haunting conundrum); "Cat Poop" (a tarp and a cat lead to a mucky outcome); "The Indignant Men's Club" (stuffed-shirt verbosity falls to rage); and the clever "Biker Gang" (in which recruitment is based not on brawling or derring-do, but an essay composition).
Johnson's affability defines his exploits, making his stories for common people who dare to see the world through an uncommon lens. Johnson tells us that there's wonderment (sometimes strange, sometimes serene) in every nook and cranny. We just need to open our eyes to recognize it.
Dream Diary #3 deserves to be in your library, so be smart and send $8.00 to Mr. Johnson (per Paypal at LewBrown1@verizon.net) to make it so.
No comments:
Post a Comment