The Aviary

by Jamie Tanner

Enter the strange world of the Quiet Bird-Man; a world of mysterious corporations, foul-mouthed robots, drunken ghosts, amputee comedians, wealthy simian pornographers and canine scientists; a world of disasters, murders and masquerade balls. Jamie Tanner has been slowly weaving this dreamlike and darkly funny tale in various anthologies and mini-comics for the past several years.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

312 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2007

Reviews

[Stephanie Barnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure all the stories connect, but they are really weird. I actually had dreams about this book. The images stayed with with me. I don't like it, but it was too creepy not to finish. I got some of the humor so I guess that's something.

[morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful artwork

[Barry]

I read this book twice in two back-to-back sessions; that's how taken I was with it the first time around. Also, it can be confusing as hell, so I figured another 2-3 day session with it would be helpful. I'm not sure the second time around helped, but the book definitely proved deeper than I originally thought since I discovered new stuff to explore. Definitely a more experimental graphic novel but the story telling and artistry are fantastic. Plus, there's enough of an immediately coherent story to keep you entertained. Basically, this book is good for quick reads or deep explorations. Absolutely recommended.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more and then I ended up liking it. I bought it on a whim, did not know anything about the author, but I liked the art. The art held up, but the story didn't; I felt as though it was trying to string together story is that a loosely connected was very proud of how they all connected, but to me the connection didn't feel as meaningful or interesting as I would have liked. Maybe I was just missing something?

[Adriana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up because I was looking for something different and the guy at the comic book shop told me it was great, very “alternative.”
It was horrible.
Dark, violent and beyond nonsensical to the point where I didn’t even enjoy the great black and white line art that makes it up.
No.
Just no.

[Matt Buchholz · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who doesn't have much appreciation for surrealism, I'm probably not the ideal audience for a creepy, David Lynchian comic that shines in its awkward moments and retro look more than in its story cohesiveness.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reminded me a bit of LOST. Crazy, non-linear storytelling, but everything comes together in the end to not quite make sense. At least it had a gin-swigging robot, a talking dog, and some genuinely deep observations about love and loneliness.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but didn't get it. But maybe there's no getting it. It presents itself as a story with a plot, a mystery even, but leads the reader down what seems to be one dead end after another. Could be there are hidden doors at those dead ends; I just didn't find them.

[Eric Skillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly, genuinely weird and surreal and funny. These stories gain an added layer of buhwhahuh? when considered as a collection.

[B. zee]

Why don't I have this book?

[Matt Shaqfan · Rating 3 out of 5]

half way through i almost gave up, but barry pago: crime scene photographer' saved this book. funniest. also, he's a penguin. this whole books sorta weird, but in a good way.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This surprisingly dense graphic novel is darkly funny and a joy to read. It leaves you feeling a little confused, but I think that's the point.

[Jane-Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously bizarre.

[Brent Legault · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unparalleled literary and artistic achievement. A complex and absorbing picto-novel. An erotic masterpiece.

[kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

creepy

[Zanne]

12.95