CLOSE / Parnassiad

by Julian Darius

CLOSE / Parnassiad collects the first two poetry collections by Julian Darius, newly annotated by the author with a new introduction and 21 previously unpublished poems, bringing the total number of poems to 147. These poems range from the highly literary ("On Parnassus with My Post-Coital Cigarette.") to the highly personal ("Traveler"). Included are poems on feminism, postmodernism, poetry, President Clinton, modern society, hedonism, sadomasochism, homosexuality, 9-11, and Jesus Christ. One poem responds to Kipling; the next calls you to imagine the process of biological evolution through the consciousnesses of the creatures involved. Other poems address Ezra Pound, Charles Bukowski, and The Waste Land -- often followed by bold intellectual observations that leave the reader both laughing and contemplating.

Genres: Poetry

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 23, 2005

About the author

A creative writer and comics scholar, Dr. Julian Darius holds degrees in English (Ph.D., M.A.) and French (M.A.).

Darius founded Martian Lit, for which he writes several acclaimed comics titles, including Martian Comics, Necropolitan, Kimot Ren, Forever Man, and The Synthetics. He's also published a novel, some short stories, and a screenplay.

In 1996, while still an undergraduate, Darius founded what would become Sequart Organization, an organization devoted to promoting comic books and pop culture as a legitimate art form. He wrote copiously for Sequart’s website, has authored books on comics, and has produced documentary films for the organization.

He co-hosts the Stories out of Time and Space podcast with Scott Weatherly. It covers science-fiction movies and TV shows.

He currently lives in Illinois.