Truly a mad dash indeed, “Run Wild” winds its way to us this month from Boom Comics.
Imagined by K. I. Zachopoulos and Vincenzo Balzano, this book is a stunningly beautiful creation.
Run Wild is essentially about the relationship between humans and animals. This core theme is embedded deeply in the story and manifests itself in nicely revealing passages. But let’s not to get too poetic in describing this trade volume… let the volume speak for itself. And it does indeed speak volumes.
Visually rich with imaginatively shaped characters and backgrounds, Run Wild could be described as having a style similar to an animated movie. But not a Saturday morning cartoon character movie, rather a movie made of single drawings, lovingly and painstakingly designed to flow together, to morph into various shapes and colours. An impressionistically painted, transformative visual style.
The characters, among them two humans (Ava and Finn) who set out on a journey, are fascinating. They speak in riddles, often repeating themselves and describing their surroundings, and then repeating what each other has just said. But little by little, this strange back and forth pattern forms a rhythm. There is a living and breathing organic flow to the dialogue.
The story of the journey of the two humans becomes a metaphor for their journey in transformation. They change shape and attitude through their trials and tribulations. How will humans and animals coexist?
I found this book moving and inspiring. Check it out, perhaps you will enjoy this one too!
Boom Comics, Run Wild, $24.99 for 148 pages, no rating
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