Imagine if David Lynch and David Cronenberg collaborated on a graphic novel. Wouldn’t that be something? Perhaps, but it wouldn’t be nearly as good as Dash Shaw’s BODYWORLD. I hate when books are promoted right on the cover as “sure to be the graphic novel event of the year,” but dammit if this doesn’t earn those words.
You’ve never read anything like this. In the year 2060, bald, chain-smoking, cranky degenerate Professor Panther comes to the town of Boney Borough to investigate a weird plant that’s popped up in the forest near the high school. He stands out amongst the citizens because he’s generally unkempt and because of all the nicotine patches that dot his skin like ornaments on a Christmas tree.
Panther’s writing an encyclopedia on hallucinogenic plant life. Taking samples of the mysterious plant back to his fleabag hotel room, he measures, crushes, rolls and smokes them, and experiences the strangest, most whacked-out experience of his life, followed by one helluva blackout. As he introduces others to the plant — the attractive teacher Jem Jewel, jock Billy-Bob Borg and schoolgirl Pearl Peach — they exchange consciousnesses, experiencing what the other perceives. The effects become longer-lasting.
And then things get weird.
Somewhat of an epic at 384 pages, BODYWORLD immediately distinguishes itself as not-your-ordinary read by including a fold-out map in the inside cover, of Boney Borough. Laid out in a color-coded grid with labeled axes, it’s meant to be left open for easy reference while reading. This isn’t necessary, of course, but absolutely cool when Shaw foregoes the usual, “Meanwhile, at the gymnasium” routine by instead plopping in a golden-yellow square to represent said gym, labeled “O 13.”
Another tell-tale sign of BODYWORLD’s uniqueness? It’s a story told vertically. While not the most ideal format for ease in holding while lounging on the couch, it places the story on much more flowing visuals than a mere horizontal layout would.
Admittedly, BODYWORLD is not for everyone’s tastes. It’s a real mind-bender, and those attuned to Shaw’s idiosyncratic approach to storytelling will find it close to a masterwork. He’s not the greatest illustrator in the world — tell me Billy-Bob doesn’t look like SCOOBY-DOO‘s Fred — but the guy’s imagination is boundless. Color schemes are used to great effect in establishing different scenes and moods, and not only in the outrageous out-of-body sequences.
This book will confound, disturb, delight and amaze you. —Rod Lott
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