Aminoacid Boy

by Diego Lazzarin

THE STORY: Aminoacid Boy is a creature from outer space sent on Earth from his Lord, a bio-architectural-metal-meat-machine living in a dark cave. He generates the whole things in a chaotic way. Physical and mechanical laws drive the transformations in his universe where equilibrium and chaotic states alternate without any final aim.
The Lord discovers that on planet Earth there are species whose individuals can find their own reasons for living, they have desires and will. They are able to feel pain and self-accomplishment. To Lord's eyes this is something extraordinary and illogical. Amino is sent on Earth to understand the reason of this anomalous behaviour.
To accomplish his mission, Amino has the power to assimilate the DNA from human and animal species he gets in contact with. His DNA evolves and becomes more and more similar to the one of those creatures. This way Amino should understand them better.
Unfortunately, Amino is not going to be alone on Earth. The Chaos Order will soon reach him. I won't say what's happening next!!!

160 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Rebecca Gransden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amino Acid Boy is sent to Earth and instructed to assimilate with its native occupants. By means of direct and fleshy contact Amino Acid Boy extracts samples of the genetic makeup of the creatures that inhabit the planet. In the process he undergoes an unpredictable metamorphosis, as random biological characteristics spontaneously manifest. Confusion rules, where the behaviour and composition of his subjects provide as much anxiety as his boss who is always on his case. Amino Acid Boy confronts the question of who he is, and what is his place in this strange world.

The artwork is incredible. Superficially childlike, the lines skewed and haphazard in a very determined way, faces drawn with a contortion that makes them seem malformed, or melting as a result of a disruption to normal vision. The colour palette is extraordinary, where even two-tone sections convey an unsettling feverishness. The more vivid drawings are garish in psychedelic delirium, quite nauseating in the saturation. For such vibrancy there is an awful twisted grubbiness to the look. As if Francis Bacon went to the funfair, ate something really bad, got food sweats and heatstroke, and ended up having a religious conversation on the ghost train.

[Dena Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim at a con because the art was unique.
The story did not disappoint. My copy is an English translation, so there are some quirks in the language, but the narrative holds you in.

[Kim]

Chapter 7, where the progression of narrative is shown by paintings is imcredible.

[Jessica Vacek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I signed up for Diego Lazzarin's email list and got this book as a pdf! Which was great because I have been wanting to read! I want to buy a physical copy of this one as well. Required viewing + reading.

[Kyle Yadlosky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really incredible grimy art and a more meditative and pacifist look at life than you'd expect. Really cool!