The Death-Ray

The Death-Ray by Daniel Clowes (2004) I resist saying what this story is “about” because it annoys me when people do that—it’s lazy shorthand, and also reduces the work—so I won’t say it, nor will I do more than a basic plot summary. As briefly as possible: it’s the story of a guy named Andy whose parents died young, so he lives with his grandfather—but apparently his father had been some kind of scientist who treated him with an experimental hormone—that’s activated by nicotine—to give him super-human strength. And also—he gave him access to a horrific weapon called the “Death Ray.” I had to wonder if it was inspired in some part by the 8th Man animated cartoon from the early 60s—that I really liked as a kid—it’s about an android superhero whose power supply comes in the form of fake “cigarettes”—sometimes causing awkward social situations. Anyway, this story jumps around in time, so we’re putting together this biographical puzzle. The main character besides Andy is his best friend, Louie—it’s to some degree his life story, as well. This was first released as Eightball #23—so the version I have is a large (9x12 inch), staple bound comic book of 42 pages—so it’s deceiving—you might think it’s part of a serial (rather than portrait of a serial killer) or a collection of otherwise unrelated short comics—but it is really a complete and intensely thorough graphic novel. (It was re-released later in a larger, hardcover format—which I think the book deserves.) Because of its size, we have an extreme variety of formats within—everything from a huge two-page composition down to some panels that are 2-inch square. As with the best Clowes stuff, you have to pay attention to all of it, including what happens off the page, and in the background—and you have to work a little to get the whole story. I mean, it’s satisfying work. It’s dark, disturbing, and immensely complex, often very sad (and often very funny)—but a deep understanding of human nature on view. Worth going back and rereading, for sure.

9.4.23