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Three Fingers
Rich Koslowski is the creator of the “Geeksville”
comic book series. If you haven’t read this series, find it immediately. The
inner “geek” in you will identify with the series immediately.
“Three Fingers” stylistically is very different from “Geeksville”. “Three
Fingers” is more realistically drawn. It feels like a documentary film drawn in
pen and ink. He draws many of the main characters in a “head shot” style that
feels like they are getting interviewed for a documentary film or television
news show.
“Three Fingers” tells the story where cartoon characters exist alongside humans.
Although, the cartoons are regarded as lower class. The story predominately
follows Dizzy Walters, a visionary in the field of animation. Comparisons to
Walt Disney are apparent and intentional. “Three Fingers” tells the story of
Dizzy’s childhood and his career in animation and cinema. Dizzy soon develops a
friendship with Ricky Rat. Again, the comparisons to Disney characters are
intentional. They soon begin working together and become very popular in the
world of cinema.
Other Disney characters and animation characters are parodied. Buggy Bunny, Sly
Vester Jr. and Portly Pig are just a few of the characters “interviewed” for
this project. But, there is a dark side to the world of animation.
Ricky Rat is reluctant to discuss with anyone the procedure called “The Ritual”
that has allegedly existed for years in the world of animation and cinema. He is
reluctant to discuss it during his “interviews”. Dizzy Walters also denies the
existence of this mysterious phenomenon. Ricky Rat is a shadow of the star he
once was years ago. He appears to have a drinking problem and is a chain smoker.
Other “toons” will discuss the unseemly side to an apparently squeaky-clean
world.
What is “The Ritual”? Does it exist or is it merely another urban legend?
To tell the answers to these questions would ruin the experience of “Three
Fingers”. I found this graphic novel to be refreshing. Being a documentary
filmmaker and fan myself, I really enjoyed the style and story structure of this
graphic novel.
The artwork is stunning. The “replications” of photographs are remarkable.
Koslowski’s style is truly original and distinctive. The illustrations are black
and white but very intense and very detailed.
“Three Fingers” is a must read for animation fans. Imagine if cartoon characters
were researched and interviewed for a television show like the E Channel’s “True
Hollywood Story”and you have an idea about the mood of “Three Fingers”.
Once again, Top Shelf Comics releases an exceptional and energizing graphic
novel for fans of the medium to enjoy.
Suzie Lackey |
