For someone looking past the costumed heroes and the cartoony apocalyptic stories, Gramercy Park, from IDW, is a breath of New York air. From on the roof, though, among the bees and birds and under the watchful eye of those who look out on each other.
The tale is elliptical and rounded, with sharp edges. The edginess of the surroundings, the connections of the plot growing before us like the building of a honeycomb, the stings, and arrows of betrayal. The elliptically repeated rhythm of the pace of the story of the former Opéra de Paris dancer who keeps the tempo. But the woman who looks out for others is being watched. The watchmen are not Moorish, they are boorish. There is crime and untidiness. The order has been interrupted. A girl turns to a woman but is in turn lost in time, waiting for the pas de deux.
Okay, I’m being so poetic. What’s up with the book? Well, it’s a well structured, impeccably paced story about a beekeeper. And how her new life in New York City is entwined with that of dangerous people.
The script, translated by Edward Gauvin from the original French publication written by Timothée de Fombelle, is amazing.
The illustrations and colouring by Christian Cailleaux fit the 1950s time frame. The drawings are minimalist, the colouring somber and restrained.
It’s fascinating in the way of the best mystery stories. It’s unraveled bit by bit. It keeps us on our toes. It’s worth capturing and reading.
IDW Eurocomics imprint, $19.99 for 98 pages, Assume Mature rating
Newsdesk