Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Jamie McKelvie
Publisher: Image comics
Really good music when delivered to a listener transports a person into a place of memory, or a particular moment in life. The story of Phonogram uses metaphor to discuss the importance of music and it’s relationship to individual experience. It is also a story about magic and magicians who use magic to get ahead and get laid. It is a story of life just a minute ahead of right now. Phonogram is so magical that when it arrived in the postage, it changed the vibe of my day as I read it, because it brings something new to the table, of comics, music appreciation and jilted love.
The story goes like this. David Kohl is a Phonomancer, a magician who uses music as his magical tool to go get ladies, listen to new experiences and remember the past. He’s a bit of a scoundrel. He plays with people’s minds by referencing music as a gateway to getting what he wants. He doesn’t care about what he does, or who he hurts, or the payback that a broken heart might invoke. So when his past catches up to him, it happens in the most inconvenient time for Kohl. He is out to party, get a new girl and explore his own personal greed. Needless to say it goes all wrong, a goddess who cursed David after a one night stand broke a woman’s heart, uses an act of magic to remind him of his weakness and send him off after a bit of embarrassment and some orders. He goes away from the party humiliated and dejected.
The story as told by creators Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie tells a very engaging tale. Through the use of first person narration the reader is given a tour of the world in which the tale is unfolding. We learn that Kohl is a jerk. A world-class narcissist he uses magic, music and his knowledge of both to get what he wants and is used to getting what he wants. When he encounters someone who happens to be a Goddess, we find out that Kohl is in over his head. The world operates like the real world, but just a bit different. In this world, Music is the fuel of life or death.
Gillen’s writing style is accessible, simple, and to the point on first glance. It sets up the action and leaves the reader questioning what will happen next. On looking at a deeper level Phonogram introduces in a simple yet well thought out discourse on the power of music. The way music has been used over the centuries to tell tales, make people joyous or sad. To bring a message to a masses and how the emotion of a listener affects the interpretation of any song makes for a compelling tale because it gives an importance and context to something that rarely is discussed in comics, sound. This is a comic, and Gillen has the ambition and skill to tell the best comic about music, it’s importance, and it’s effect on people since Blue Monday.
The art by Jamie McKelvie is beautiful. The people look like people. The facial gestures are slight, but make the world of difference between humor and terror. Places look real to the eye and yet look fantastic. The use of clean lines to detail the figures gives a fully rendered appearance without being indulgent on style. The series is accessible and clean. Any regular person will be able to clearly read the comic and understand the premise and character and the simplicity of layout also makes the story paramount.
What is curious and very striking in the reading of Phonogram is that it uses England as character and a personality to deliver a discussion on music. It gives an impression that when it comes to making music that matters, it needs a sense of place and England has brought the world a lot of vital musicians. Both Gillen and McKelvie are right in setting the series in England, because if it were set in America, it would have less of a resonance in consideration to the state of music in America. What is very interesting is that Gillen is considerate enough a storyteller to use text pages to inform the reader who may not be familiar to the musical references a quick blurb about every artist referenced. If nothing else it could make a reader go buy and try something new musically. Another curious thing about Phonogram is that Gillen also uses a text piece to explain his intentions for the story and his opinion on the vitality of music and it’s necessity in life.
Phonogram has the potential to being one of the great comics of 2006. It will change the way one views magic, chance and the potential of art influencing life.
- Francis Davis a career drunk with a love of comics and movies, lives in and works for the City of Chicago. Confidentiality agreements prevent him from saying exactly what he does, but it is important.