Dave Mckean: The Arcane The Image

To look into the art of Dave Mckean is to look into places of unlimited intrigue, depth and range. The works are window openings into a mysterious and arcane psyche. The portals are many and vast as a journey outward into the stars or equally inward to the micro biotic multi-verses. 





                                            Mckean seduces and captures with the creations of his unbridled talent and imagination. His worlds are mystical, magical potions of the best alchemy. Mirror Mask, The Sandman, Wolves in the Wall, Coraline are among the stories, novels and films of Dave Mckean. They are all collaborations in part with his colleague/friend; the much admired writer Neil Gaiman.

The work can be dark, foreboding and something strange as that of a counter-culture artist. Mckean’s art is not repellant like many other counter-culturists but inviting and dreamlike without being the stuff of nightmares.    

In 1993 DC Comics would introduce their now legendary line of graphic novels; Vertigo. Editor Karen Berger would enlist writer Neil Gaiman for the initial series of books; “Sandman.” The entire line of books including Gaiman’s “Sandman” were targeted for mature readers and are among the most popular and celebrated of the Horror/Fantasy genre. Dave Mckean would join “Sandman” as official cover artist mid-way through it’s run and his work would become the art most associated with “Sandman.” They are also among Mckean’s most recognizable and original creations. “Sandman would be described as:

“A comic strip for Intellectuals.”

Norman Mailer

Another author from the Vertigo Line; Grant Morrison had earlier (1989) penned the then radical hard-cover novel, “Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth.” His was a Dark Knight Tale remarkably conceived and illustrated with Mckean’s extraordinary graphics and evocative paintings. It remains a land-mark achievement and is in every sense a classical marriage of prose and image.

As a film maker; Mckean’s seminal work to date is “Mirror Mask.” It is yet another brilliant collaboration with Neil Gaiman and The Jim Henson Company. The plot is a variation of Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There.” The look is visually stunning with the definitive style of Mckean’s best product. It is memorable as a cult film with a distinct “indie” flavor. 

The reflective study of the works of Dave Mckean is a perfect start for a breezy October evening and then on; into the night.

The Batman and Mr. Finch

                               
David finch has been a fixture and a mainstay within the comic book industry for more than a few years now. He is too with some certain consensus one of the most popular, prolific and persuasive talents to grace the covers and pages of said books dating from the mediums inception to this; the modern day. Publishers including Marvel, DC and independents have all benefited from Finch’s output of phenomenal product and material. Take a pinch of Jim lee, a dash of Brian Bolland mixed with David’s own originality and edginess and you have what is a treat to all aficionados of the form.

Just a few years ago the cover of the September 2010 issue of Wizard magazine would announce a new beginning for Batman. It was graced by what is possibly the single most compelling rendering of Bob Kane’s creation since Detective Comics #27 many years previous, “way back” in May 1939. The five chapter single issue inaugural run “Batman: the Dark Knight” would prove to be some of Finch’s most remarkable and collected works. Finch would take on the writing credits along with penciling on the landmark title. 

Highlights of the featured novel “Golden Dawn” would include appearances by Bat-villains; The Penguin and Killer Croc along with guest–star Jack Kirby’s creation The Demon.  The books would be the last published by DC linked to the original line of comic books. This was achieved before the complete revamping of the entire collective DC titles dubbed by the company “The New 52.” Without losing a step Finch would relaunch his title this time solely as penciller with Paul Jenkins writing a truly bizarre Scare Crow tale both sweeping and entertainly disturbing. The very thing we expect a Scare Crow story arc should be.  

David Finch’s tenure as Bat-Artist/Writer would produce a number of iconic covers; panels and chapters. The graphic story-telling form is much enriched by Mr. Finch and his talents; particularly his artistry. He has moved on from the Batman and is currently developing; along with his wife Meredith, what promises to become a classic version of Wonder Woman. A husband wife team of co-creators is a first for the field and is deservedly and eagerly anticipated.  

The Joker

The Joker: the playing card that is thrown out of most decks and seldom used in games. When it is used it is usually “wild.” It is the most distinctive in design; attractive, strange and intricate to the eye. Bob Kane choose wisely when he developed a villain based on the playing card and the love hate relationship we have with clowns. The silent film “The Man Who laughs” was with no doubt a major influence as Kane molded his “Joker.” The film’s star; Conrad Veidt seemed to go deeply into Kane’s psyche as his “Joker” is a near duplicate of the film’s character; Gwynplaine.  

 A hero is only as intense and compelling as his antagonists. The Joker as imagined by Bob Kane became an instant hit and a star in his own right, unique in the world’s greatest comic book rogues gallery.  The Joker even won his own comic book title and was a best seller. He was always a real threat to Batman and anyone that crossed his insane path. Like Batman he has evolved and gone through changes and flowed with the changes in society and the core readership of the comic book fan.

In the lengthy history of the character the Joker has created his own utility belt, a joker-mobile and a lethal laughing gas that causes his victims to laugh themselves to death while leaving the unmistakable distorted grin of “The Joker” on their faces. Within his time The Joker has caused the death of Robin, crippled Batgirl and had many bloody hand to hand (though very much one sided) confrontations  with Batman himself. The joker is unquestionably insane but there has always been a true sense of the comic and the ridiculous as part of the character.

Along with Batman The Joker has moved to other mediums. He was a special part of “The Sixties” TV version. Caesar Romero was television’s “Clown Prince of Crime” as he had become known to that generation. He remained in the role throughout the duration of the series and he played the part with much delight. The next screen “Joker” would be Jack Nicholson in the Tim Burton darker, psychologically charged film version. Batman was darker but The Joker kept his sense of humor intact. “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” The Joker ponders as Batman attacks in his “Bat-Wing” stealth flier. This has become one of the funniest and most memorable lines in modern film.

                                                    

The Men Who Laughed

It is with the Christopher Nolan trilogy of Batman films that The Joker has seen his most demented and disturbing incarnation. As envisioned by Nolan and portrayed by the late Heath Ledger “The Joker” is sadistic and vile; a remorseless, soulless beast. His face has the look of the victim of a serious accident or beating. It is disfigured, difficult to look at and devoid of any humor. Nolan’s “Joker” commits an unusual number of mindless, inhuman acts. He kills without discrimination or pause. His sick mind rationalizing everything he does as he explains many times in his dialogue. Sadly a deranged gunman chooses to immulate this “Joker” in real life at the opening of the Nolan film “The Dark Knight Rises.” We continue at this date to mourn the death of twelve individuals and we pray the remaining injured will recover. “Why so serious?” is the question The Joker asks in Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Returns.” It is the gravity of the times…perhaps it is the times.

In the comic book world of Gotham City The Joker is Batman’s foil supreme. He is the clown of macabre laughter, mayhem and mirth who contrasts Batman, the man of dedication brilliantly. We go to the realm of imagination to escape a sometimes torturous and senseless world. I hope we can return there again.

The Dark Knight

The character was born into a time of heroes and villains; of adventure and deeds. Virtue, nobility and honor were central to this man/character who would attempt to give meaning to the senseless death of his parents to somehow make a world better by the protection of the innocent and bringing a form of justice to the predators. His plan; to strike fear into the hearts and psyche of those who would commit crimes as he stopped their individual acts of violence. His methods could be questioned as they certainly would be in a real life situation but he is a character of fiction. He is created to be and became a symbol of the best that we can be. He was created in the spirit of the greatest fiction and entertainment. He is the creation of writer illustrator Bob Kane…he is Batman.

“Criminals are a superstitious, cowardly lot. So my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts.”                     Bruce Wayne speaks from “The Legend of the Batman”

Bob Kane drew on many sources when developing his “Bat-Man.” His influences range from the notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci to Chester Gould’s newspaper strip “Dick Tracy.” The Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro were wealthy socialites that hid their identities as they used their resources to “right wrongs.” They were among the source influences. Pulp fiction and movies all went into his work and perhaps that is a reason for the characters longevity. Batman has been Interpreted and reinterpreted over the years in every medium; novels, radio, animation, comic strips and film.

It is in film today that Batman has reached his greatest audiences and his most recent brilliant incarnation. The award winning films of Christopher Nolan have given us a timely and reflective view of Batman’s Gotham City. Like all great works of art it speaks to us and our times. Sadly life imitates art in a twisted demented way when cycled through the mind and heartless soul of a socio-path. This past Friday night at a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” the final installment of Nolan’s trilogy innocents were visited by a dealer in death and mayhem. It was the greatest cowardice; a cowardice that is all too often repeated in the world, the society of today.

Why was it the Batman film debut? We may never know with any certainty. Probably just in the unfortunate timing of the release; a terrible misfortune. A movie is released; a psychotic plots mass murder weeks or month before. He chooses the venue of the highest visibility.  He dyes his hair and calls himself “The Joker” (the previous film’s antagonist) and gargs himself like the villain “Bane” from this latest movie. Nolan’s version of Batman is the darkest to date. Remember the sixties version starring Adam West. Video/ role playing games, movies and the comic books of the day are all increasing and disturbingly violent. Who’s at fault? The makers, marketers or are we all unwitting accomplices in our own demise. When will the trends reverse?  When will the pendulum swing back? Where do we go from here?

In this time of mourning our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We will attempt to give them as much understand and comfort as we can. Our nation has experienced the loss of too many magnificent, loving souls. We search and pray for answers.   

A character of fiction…a terrible tragedy…the nation mourns.