The Magic Bottle

Blab!

by Camille Rose Garcia, Monte Beauchamp (Editor)

A gothic fairy tale from one of L.A.'s most acclaimed painters. An original, first graphic novel from the acclaimed California painter Camille Rose Garcia (her work has been shown in Juxtapoz, Art Issues and Paper , and exhibited in galleries and museums up and down the west coast), the first of a proposed series set in the fantasyland of the Lost World of the Peppermint Islands.

In The Magic Bottle , Lulu Blackenshoe lives in a gray world dominated by factories, landfills and giant corporations. Nature has all but disappeared in her world, but no one notices because of the antidepressants they're on. Lulu (who never takes her medicine) feels an increasing sense of dread and despair, until her fate changes one cold day when she finds a magic bottle containing a map. Drawn by pirates long ago, this map shows the way to the lost world of the Peppermint Islands, sunk to the bottom of the sea 400 years ago in the great battle between the pirates and the capitalists. Suddenly, Lulu has the chance to save the last remaining wild animals on earth, but she'll have to battle the Peppermint Man and the Great Trading Company in order to defeat the capitalist machine out to ruin the natural world. With the help of her new octopus friend, Mr. Blue, they start their journey to save the Peppermint Islands from annihilation.

This is the latest Blab! storybook, a series of graphic novels showcasing artists from Monte Beauchamp's annual BLAB! anthology, presented in a faux-children's book format, though aimed squarely at adults and young adults. Full-color throughout

Genres: Graphic Novels, Art, Fiction, Comics, Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2006

About the author

Camille Rose Garcia (1970) is a California-based lowbrow/pop surrealism artist. She produces paintings in a gothic, "creepy" cartoon style.

Her paintings of creepy cartoon children living in wasteland fairy tales are critical commentaries on the failures of capitalist utopias. Her recent solo show, Ultraviolenceland, explored ideas of violence and empire. Her work has appeared in Flaunt Magazine, Rolling Stone, Juxtapoz, and Paper Magazine, among others.

Reviews

[April Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the artwork in this book. It is both haunting and whimsical. Truthful it is the main reason I go this story.

At times it was difficult to read the words that went with these beautiful illustrations. Either the words were really cramped together or the font was too hard to read.

The story itself would be fun to read to a child because it holds the same whimsical nature as the illustrations.

Full Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8g1i...

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art: 5 stars. Story: 2 stars.

[Oof]

This book makes my innards feel inexplicably constipated. My intestines have become severely crippled, and my bum cheeks unsymmetrically swapped sides. Now they look like a sad, broken dog's toy. Also, my toilet has exploded because of it's inner depression, due to no one sitting on it. Now, I have to get intestine untangling surgery for the intestine bit that has twisted around my pale heart. Thanks a lot. 5 STARS

[Emily Stiffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the context and the meaning behind this story. It basically is saying that we need to persevere nature, despite “machines” and capitalists taking over. It is our responsibility to the animals, plants and the rest of the ecosystem to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy nature as it is today.

Ah.. this book just really spoke to me. I love the illustrations as well, as I love all of Camille Rose Garcia’s work!

[Glory Mangano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book as a 5 y/o by my preschool teacher, which, I know, kinda weird, but now I have an emotional attachment. I love this book and all it’s weird little vibes and freaky suicidal turtle <3

[Miss December · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is written as a storybook for adults, and I LOVE IT.

The creativity in both the story and illustrations are great, and I'm a big fan of her art to begin with. Yes!!

[Jeana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is the best but the story was very depressing

[StrictlySequential · Rating 3 out of 5]

What perverso-juvenile/stereo-erotic procurative process does "Balustrade of Blabulon" use to enlist the creators?

I've enjoyed, in a primitive sense<, my first four tastes of "The Beauchef Montebank's" snazzy-spined, square-shaped series of picto-repugnant, swine-eyed eubaloo-stew.

My Multiplying Story-Blabulist:
Alphabetical Ballad of Carnality
Darling Cheri
The Magic Bottle
Struwwelpeter and Other Disturbing Tales for Human Beings

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is me being nice. i thought that when i was getting this book that it was an art of. the only thing that recommends this book it the amazing art work. the story was stupid and it looked like a children's easy picture book. B OOOOOOOO

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully dark, twisted little fairytale featuring pirates and an environmental conscience and some incredibly stunning artwork reminiscent of Mexican graffiti. Not much to say about it other than I enjoyed it, it's well written and looks great.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm only giving this book 4 stars because I absolutely love Camille Rose Garcia's paintings...I was bored of the story after the first page.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

evil looking drawings, pirate girls and and nice tale. can't beat it! it was my new officewarming gift...PERFECT!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Magic Bottle (A BLAB! Storybook) by Camille Rose Garcia (2006)

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is terrific. The story not so much.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great pop surrealist art. The story lost me a bit.

[Taylor Cayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty art. The story's a little lacking.