FROM THE ARCHIVES | ONE solid second hand copy

When it comes to artfully integrating book design into the form of a graphic novel in such a way as to enhance the expression of its content, Mr. Hornschemeier has few peers.  To our mind, only Clowes, Ware and Seth have been as successful in this department*, and it bears remarking that there seems to be a bit of trend in effect among these design-oriented comics craftsmen as the latest work by each of these three creators shares with Hornschemier's a strong biographical focus on the protagonist.  Wilson, Lint and George Sprott each present their eponymous protagonist's life story**, and Life with Mr. Dangerous is solidly centered on its female protagonist, Amy Breis.  While, Mr. D shares many formal qualities with these works, it should not be seen as being derived from them as it has been under construction in MOME since 2005.  It is clearly an original work rather than a pastiche, and is unique in several respects.  First of all, Hornschemeier has clearly striven to create and maintain a woman's perspective throughout the diegesis of Life with Mr. D.  Secondly, in keeping with his relative youthfulness, his protagonist is squarely in her mid-twenties, and stays there for the duration.  Most of all, as we intimated at the outset, Life with Mr. Dangerous is a gift to biblio-æsthetes everywhere, as each line, letter and color on every surface from front to back of this hardcover edition has been thoughtfully designed, elegantly composed and carefully executed.  Not everyone will agree with every design decision he has made, but there is no arguing the the high level of craft on display here at each turn of the page, solidly bolstering this tale of a woman in her mid-twenties struggling to come into her own, accompanied by her mother, a cat, and the ongoing television adventures of "Mr. Dangerous."  *(although, as always, we have to credit Crumb for introducing this level of craft consciousness to the medium) **(It is additionally worth noting that Clowes's immediately previous work is the ironically titled, Mr. Wonderful, initially serialized in the NY Times.) 

PLEASE NOTE:  Originally published in 2011, this book is out of print.  We are offering a nice, solid, second hand copy.  The photo accompanying this listing is of the actual copy for sale.