Staff Picks (October): The Sculptor

Publisher: :01 First Second

David Smith has one dream -- to be the best artist, to be the best sculptor; to leave a permanent and lasting mark on not only the art community, but on the lives and memories of his friends, his lover, and society as a whole. In order to accomplish this goal, he has made a deal with Death. For 200 days he can sculpt anything his heart desires, but after that he will die.

This is how we enter Scott McCloud's (Understanding Comics, Zot) newest, and long-awaited, major graphic novel The Sculptor from :01 First Second. Although the premise is one that has been used by creators since as early as the 16th-century in books like Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus and in other tales of anger and social frustration -- tales of the tortured intellect -- McCloud's graphic novel is subtler, more sensitive, and at many points truly heart-wrenching. This is a graphic novel for our time, our 21st-century, and it is McCloud's attention to the delicate emotions and concerns of 21st-century urban life and culture that makes this book really stunning, beautiful, and honestly important.

As a comics fan, when I think of Scott McCloud I think of his playful, lighthearted writing and his clean-lined, cartoon style from works like Zot. And as a comics scholar, I think of his critical eye, his in-depth understanding, and the ways that he has presented approachable theories for both fans and non-fans to understand and make comics in his books of the same names. From both perspectives, Scott McCloud is a fun-loving creator who is guaranteed to take me on a high-spirited adventure into any of his works.

When I picked up a copy of The Sculptor I was not prepared for how profound this particular book was going to be; how much it was going to touch on aspects of my own life, and how it was going to incite personal reflection. From its beautiful composition, subtle yet impactful writing, and detailed characterization and world building, I fell in love with the characters, their individual plights, and the story. This isn't just David Smith's struggle for life and death, his quest for social recognition, stability, and a place to call home. This is our story.

We all know that Scott McCloud has contributed immensely to the comics industry throughout the years both creatively and academically, but in this work he has taken his craft to a whole new level. The Sculptor is a graphic novel of a whole new caliber. It has the same Scott McCloud lighthearted flavors, but it is richer, bolder, and more complex. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best books I have read in a very long time and I can say with confidence that it is something that should be in everybody's library, whether a long-time comics reader's or maybe in someone's who is just looking to get started!

~ Caitlin McCabe