GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: The Sculptor GN – Existence + Purpose = Life/Death

What defines LIFE? What makes THE ARTIST? What TRUE LOVE means? And, is there a purpose of EXISTENCE? These are some of the difficult questions master artist and intellectual Scott McCloud tries to explore and somehow answer in his long-awaited tour de force exploration of life and death in THE SCULPTOR. Similar to Craig Thompson’s BLANKETS, The Sculptor is massive, if not physically a bit intimidating. But like Blankets, Scott’s style of storytelling is so damn accessible, pleasant, lyrical and ultimately, tragically heartbreaking to the core. Like many modern, brilliant, and sophisticated maestros in graphic illustration, he applies the cyclical approach of narration but not to the point of spoiling everything in the process. After reading a few more pages, I am totally engaged, invested, enjoyed and enlightened on his way of delivering a complicated and yet an illuminating discourse of the existence and meaning of life, purpose, love and death not just to the major protagonist David Smith (the “sculptor”, there are a couple of “Smiths” around) but his partner/love-interest/muse/angel Meg. The book has five long chapters, but surprisingly, each of these can be read independently though the greatest benefit of all in this marathon reading experience is to reread the graphic novel for the creator loves to sprinkle some clues along the way.

Although the Faustian theme is nothing novel at all, Scott makes this more innocently and interesting by disguising the ancient force to the protagonist’s closest relative, particularly when having conversations and playing the game of chess…so classy. Naturally, the plot circles around on Smith’s newfound powers (you guess it right! The title itself is the giveaway) for only a limited time until the day of reckoning comes. There, McCloud applies his expertise in sequential narration and the displays of artistic theoretical applications he preaches, teaches, and demonstrates in his intellectually engaging opuses How To Make Comics and Understanding Comics. In short, he makes no shortcuts here. He walks the talk!

Interesting, the book’s supporting characters are also important in articulating Scott’s explorations of existence and purpose. Both Smith and Meg’s friends and acquaintances shine due to the fact that the creator knows how to balance his characters so well, and giving and fleshing them the characterizations necessary to enhance further the direction of the story itself. Even the other “David Smith” is done with that kind of respect, especially in the climatic scenes of this narrative. And the artistic representations the protagonist created shows how Scott’s mind can go aesthetically run wild but with a display of a disciplined, serious craftsman without littering useless pieces of stuffs around. We can say that he maximizes his artistic touch while confronting minimal resources at hand.

Speaking of which, due to the indie-status he is built upon, the coloring is sacrificed. Admittedly, the shading, inking, and the black-and-white coloring (with some blue palettes to emphasize focus and perspectives) are expertly executed that this visual literature is itself a true masterpiece of minimal approach. But, I feel that coloring the whole book may enhance further the already magnificent and sophisticated work of art. Look no further at Bryan Lee O’Malley’s the Scott Pilgrim series. The entire six books saga is now re-mastered or colored that actually compromising nothing at all in terms of overall quality. Perhaps someday, the maestro himself will have The Sculptor undergo the same treatment.

In the comic experience nowadays of “events”, “crossovers”, and “movie-adaptations”, The Sculptor offers readers a brief respite of what a true independent graphic novel should be—the creator’s view to his/her viewpoint without any compromises or editorial interventions nonsense. It is indeed thick, but the pacing is surprisingly (and superbly) flowed smoothly. There are disturbing elements of suicide, reproductive issues, psychological concerns, and sex and nudity; but an engaging read nevertheless on the larger picture of existential purpose of life, love and death. If ever Scott fails to answer the questions cited earlier, then it is not his problem anymore. We should be the one who do our part to explore these matters at hand. Tragic this may be, but that is how we deal life for better or worse. We sculpt our own destinies. Highly recommended!