Old Growth

by Niv Bavarsky, Michael Olivo

A caterpillar is spurred towards growth after being displaced, sending him on a journey of exploration in the pursuit of a happiness that may or may not prove impossible to attain. This candy-colored, visual feast of a book is an exploration of prophetic dreams, personal and cultural mythology, and blind ambition in relation to individualistic and communal philosophies. Ultimately, these polarized mindsets manifest their flaws when brought to their extremes, and the major characters in the book are dragged and pulled about by their stubborn ideologies. Along the way, the story finds function in youth as a clumsy challenge to authority and a naive catalyst of change, while cryptic angels silently steer the fate of all below. Full-color illustrations throughout.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Granit Hysiqi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very DeForge-y and Moscoso-esque-y?
Lots of mushrooms on this..

[Mike E. Mancini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every zine, comic or print that Bavarsky or Olivo (sometimes in collaboration, sometimes not) has created, along with me to have the opportunity to see the work first hand, has been a positive experience. Certain festivals made possible the pleasure of perusing many of the anthologies they’ve contributed to (along with acquisitions of some of their works). All this to say—they both have some serious artistic chops.

A Fantagraphics Underground (F.U. Press) production blessed as a slim (but substantial) sexy (yet simple) hardcover with full-color interior, is as sweet looking as we expect from Fantagraphics.

What is it about? That is, I promise, THE least important aspect of this here work of art. The artists tell a story but it is through the art that the story moves, not dialogue or narration. It flows like a Yokoyama comic (Garden, Library), but is distinctly Olivo and Bavarsky’s style.

More please

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stimulating and bewildering. I got more insight from the interview at the end.

[elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“a prophecy has been foretold of growth that’s new and growth that’s old”

absolutely mesmerising

[Will Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't even know what to make of it. THe art is beautiful, and layered with meaning, but also allows enough negative space that i suspect it reflects the meaning you bring.
A beautiful book that I think qualifies more as art than Story, I think I'll be rereading it for months every few weeks to see if I can pick more out from it.

[Alex E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've never read anything by Niv Bavarsky and/or Michael Olivo, so I really didn't know what to expect with the book. And I think because of that, I was a bit taken aback when I started reading it, because this is the type of book where there is a story somewhat, but there is a lot to be left up to interpretation.

The book takes us through the life(?) of a worm who grows into a monster butterfly and destroys a city for a key. But the journey of how he gets there is illustrated in a very psychedelic style. The mass of swirling shapes, the vibrancy of colors colliding, and the relentless barrage of strange, hallucinatory ideas hit you page after page, daring you to follow along - not holding your hand to let you know what the plot even is.

I'm not the biggest fan of these types of interpretation books, but I did find it interesting at times. I think the two artist/authors really gave us this artsy book that you can let your imagination run wild with if you want. I would recommend this for fans of more interpretive comics, steeped in hallucinatory dreamscapes.

[stephen f. · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful baby made between two makers experimenting with the "hero with a thousand faces"

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zeer indrukwekkende pagina's en mooie kleuren. Soms wat inconsistent getekend maar wel echt de moeite!