Stephen Murphy (1)

Murphy gives us a prescient narrative that is simultaneously mind-expanding and a little claustrophobic. The comic starts in the year 2000 (which would have been about fifteen years in the future when it was first published). The U.S. experienced a devastating act of domestic terrorism in 1995 when a nuclear weapon was set off in the Bronx. The environment is also going haywire and U.S. Agent Gavia Immer (our hero) is leading a solitary life in the woods tracking mutating animals (flying. show more manta. rays.) and measuring the ph levels of the water. He fills his time with video phone calls to his mom and some gut wrenching watching of old VHS movies his late father made that explore the existence of alien life forms. The amazing drawings by Zulli perfectly match the (sometimes pretty abstract) tone of the writing, and his drawings of animals and the natural world are some of the best I've ever seen. The scenes from nature give the sometimes pretty dense narrative the room it needs to take effect, and also give the reader a little time to breathe.

The story is often universal, but sprinkled throughout are pretty intimate-feeling vignettes of lost parents, sexual encounters, weird dreams, and unspoken thoughts. It has a very 80s feel in its politics, technology, philosophies, and sexy ladies, but since domestic terrorism and environmental collapse are still pretty relevant topics, there is plenty to chew on here. This is a weird and wonderful book and I'm so glad I fell into it. Plus my arms are super strong now from carrying it around.

[full review here: http://spacebeer.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-puma-blues-complete-sage-in-one.html ] show less

B&W throughout. Futuristic environmental story of a man's experiences as he grows old, witnessing the human impact on the physical environment, and the mysterious metamorphosis of the stingray fishes to become predators of the air. Lots of references to pollution, fossil fuels, deforestation, (a particularly stimulating visual image of a rhino drinking from an oil can); and also aliens, Iggy Pop, Jim Morrison, and David Bowie. This volume includes a short spin-off story by Alan Moore at the show more back. show less

Highly recommend this alternative future tale, with it's emphasis on ecology and animal rights. Nicely written by Murphy with amazing art by Michael Zulli, who went on to work on DC's SWAMP THING and Mirage's TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES among others.