In 215ink‘s Kuzimu #1, creator Brett Uren attempts to describe the ineffable. As such, Kuzimu’s story structure as well as it’s narrative delivery is unconventional. The book does not read like a story but more like a poem with plot points embedded within it. And the poetry isn’t just in the lyrically inspired words but also in the rhythmic visuals.
The issue opens on a beautifully rendered scene of a nameless African man in tribal warrior garb, wielding sword and spear. Within what appears to be some sort of sacred chamber, this character describes seeing the entirety of the cosmos bloom on the palm of his reptilean hand. Some sort of fluid energy envelops the individual and in the next scene his transformation from man to lizard (kind of) is complete. This lizard – named P’teros – is to be used as an avatar to navigate a type of underworld made mostly of shifting stone passageways and sparsely populated by creatures too bizarre to describe in words (see image below and click for a larger view and to launch a slide show). This is the realm of Kuzimu.
The near-entirety of the issue is spent with P’teros trying to not to lose himself within this realm and attempting to reach a destination which is clear to the character but only cryptically described to the reader. There is a short scene used to introduce a few characters who will probably turn out to be antagonists. These monsters seem interested in P’teros’ journey through Kuzimu and thus send a spirit dog to track him down and shadow him. I think so at least, it’s all very vague. More on this later. Eventually, P’teros reaches his destination which appears to be the bedroom of a small girl – not a literal one no doubt. Throughout all this we are fed vague clues – in the form of symbolism mostly – about what this all means but that’s about as much as you get in terms of concrete plot.
Therein lies the potential problem of the comic. Though I get the sense the writer knows exactly where he is going, I think some readers might find just this one issue frustrating. I have developed a taste for the opaque in comics and find myself increasingly drawn to stories which appear ambiguous on their surface but reveal themselves upon re-read or as the story unfolds. However, this “maybe, maybe not” reading experience will off-put some fans. This could have been remedied by scaling back on the number of pages and captions used to world-build and more generously dedicating panel time towards providing clearer hints and way markers – P’teros’ descent into the under-realm goes on for a few pages too long and does get visually and conceptually repetitive. My guess is that Kuzimu was intended as a single volume and so this one issue is probably meant to be more of a tone-setting sequence for the rest of the story than a typical “issue #1 hook”.
Personally, I think there are enough things going on here to keep me reading. The artwork not being the least of those things. I would wager that Uren would cite Moebius as an influence. The detailed textures of the stone backgrounds, P’teros’ scaly skin, the elaborate set designs, these all speak of a heavily European tone. You can also detect inflections of Frank Quitely and Geoff Darrow. It’s not direct mimicry of those styles though. Uren’s is more instinctual and primitive looking due to his use of thick line work. Almost as if Seth Fisher was trying to reinterpret an Art Naïf tableau. I like it. That much is certain.
So Kuzimu #1 ends up leaving an impression with it’s highly evocative style. That is its greatest strength. If you’ve have an interest in more ethereal subject matter and “off-the-beaten-path” comic books, you should look into Kuzimu. My advice: Try 2 issues instead of just the first.
Kuzimu #1 is available to read for free on Graphicly. Kuzimu will be released in trade paperback format in 2012.
Script: 7/10
Art: 8/10
Parental concern: Orange due to potentially frightening subject matter
