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Notables 2010: Ezra Claytan Daniels

Ezra Claytan Daniels, A Circuit Closed. MySpace Darkhorse Presents, no. 1. 2008. That’s print volume #1, online issue #2. Click the link, scroll to the bottom, and you can search through older issues, and read the whole story online.

This is one of the things I love about being a series editor for Best American Comics: finding work by a mature artist I’ve never come across before. Despite the fact that Daniels apparently had a series out in 2003 (The Changers), I missed it, and here we are: he popped up in MDHP, an entertaining grab-bag anthology if there ever was one.

A Circuit Closed is a very well-told, very satisfying story in only 10 pages—not an easy feat. Scratchy pen work and aged-looking coloring, along with the unique Q-and-A method of introducing the scenario (both Q and A written by the main character?) gives the comic an atmosphere of melancholy and isolation. Daniels almost lost me when the main character’s desperate journey to find meaning seems to end with a dog (gag), but the last page holds a wonderful twist.

Age: grades 6-8. And this one’s a great length for the classroom.

What is this Notable thing? Read the intro to the Best American Comics Notables of 2010 here.

Comments

3 Comments to Notables 2010: Ezra Claytan Daniels

  • by Jessica

    On February 16, 2011 at 12:24 pm

    It’s amazing how I can read so many great comics every year, and then, maybe because I also read SO MANY bad comics, I forget even the good ones. It’s great to reread these Notables as I’m posting about them. Question to Ezra: any plans for printing this and/or new work?

  • by Ezra Claytan Daniels

    On February 16, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    Well, my chamber orchestra collaboration, Black Violet (www.dream-chocolate.com), is currently touring the Midwest, and I’m holed up working on an epic ‘interactive’ sci-fi tragedy for iPad (www.upgradesoul.com), but no print plans on the horizon, unfortunately. However, the feature-length animated rap opera I worked, Alexis Gideon’s Sun Wu Kong (www.alexisgideon.com/vm2.htm), was just released on DVD and vinyl last month, and a documentary I did a bunch on illustrated segments for, Lunch Line (www.lunchlinefilm.com), was just released on DVD, too!

  • by Jessica

    On February 16, 2011 at 2:45 pm

    Wow, that is a seriously odd and interesting list. Thanks!

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