Pop Gun War

Pop Gun War #1

by Farel Dalrymple

"Pop Gun War is about childhood, self-discovery, oppression, guilt, dreams, loneliness, whatever. It is more about a feeling you, the reader, get from the story rather than a typical narrative. If you wanted to get literal, it is about an inner city boy, Sinclair, who discovers a pair of discarded angel wings. With these wings, Sinclair flies around the city and gets into adventures." - Farel Dalrymple, series creator This volume collects the critically acclaimed series into one volume for the first time.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Comic Book, Comix

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Farel Dal lives in Portland, Oregon and is currently working on a comic book called ROBot TOD. He is the creator of: 20202020 (2022 floating World comics), THE OFTEN WRONG(Image comics 2019), Proxima Centauri (Image comics 2019), IT WILL ALL HURT (Image Comics 2018), Pop Gun War: Chain Letter (Image Comics 2017) and POP GUN WAR: GIFT (2016 Image Comics, 2001 Dark Horse), The Wrenchies (First Second Books 2014), and Delusional (Adhouse 2013). Farel was a co-founder and contributor to the comic anthology, Meathaus, and the artist on Palefire (Secret Acres 2015) written by Mk Reed, Prophet (Image Comics 2012) by Brandon Graham, Omega the Unknown (Marvel Comics 2010) by Jonathan Lethem, Jenny Finn (Dark Horse 2018) by Troy Nixey and Mike Mignola, and Caper (DC Comics 2003) by Judd Winick.
Farel Dalrymple and Soph Franz just debuted MONSTER_US!!! a 64-page monster art zine which you can get on their store https://store.fareldal.com/

Reviews

[Jan Philipzig · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book, a "representative of a magnificent corporation" says to a streetwise young musician: "So, your critics say you are too young, that you are hiding your immaturity behind cryptic lyrics." The boy dismisses this critique, blaming it on ageism: "Some people resent you for your age." He leaves in protest.

Hmm... Is cartoonist Farel Dalrymple in this scene trying to brush off as discriminatory the kind of criticism that could easily be directed at his own comic book? While reading Pop Gun War, I occasionally did get the impression that its brand of surrealism is designed to mask its lack of substance.

Still, Dalrymple's textured and moody drawing style shows a lot of promise - a talent to be watched.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the art designs and the general look of the book. But I couldn't follow what story there was at all. It seemed to be something about archetypes in the world trying to influence the various characters in the book.

Received an advance copy from NetGalley.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far out, man.

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pop Gun War precedes Wrenchies, a book I really liked for the artwork, and less for the story, which never came to coherence for me but was interesting, a sci fi YA world. PGW doesn't really focus on story at all, as (above) Dalrymple admits himself, but a "feeling" or tone or vision. The art is close to Nate Powell's scratchy pen and ink, though set in the city (compared to Powell's mostly rural settings in his work preceding the stuff that is really taking off for him now, the March trilogy). Another connection to Powell here is that race and class matters to the Brooklynite Dalrymple, who connects magic and fantasy to street kids he finds in his world that sort of is a parallel city to NYC. Frank Miller calls it "urban mysticism" and that sounds about right.

In this one there are sinister guys who seem to control the homeless, there's nasty things that happen to the poor, but there's also a kid with wings who knows how to fly. There's a kind of spirit in it that makes it more like a graphic poem than a graphic novel. There's real threat to the poor, the kids, the bums, but there's also some shards of hope, joy, escape, heart. But not having a story you can easily follow makes it hard to connect to, I think.

[Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been really lucky lately. I seem to have had a long string of excellent graphic novels in my "to read" pile. Pop Gun War is no exception. Farel Dalrymple's art is complex and expressive, not only in this work, but in others, as well. It's hard to pin down the plotline of Pop Gun War, as it is more mythical than prosaic, more concerned with philosophy than structure. At times, it can get just a touch pedantic, but by and large the thematic thread of being controlled by both our inner passions and by outside influences is satisfactory and gives the reader pause when considering his or her own actions, as well as the actions of others. Dalrymple does an outstanding job of causing the reader to question intent, rather than simply casting characters as good or evil. The "good guys" are allowed their weaknesses, and the "bad guys" might not be bad simply because of their own choices - they may simply be the victims of their outer circumstances, controlled by others, like puppets on a string. It's clear that many of the characters who find themselves in unpleasant circumstances are trapped by lies fed to them by others. The real beauty of this work is that the "good" people in it maintain their innocence without falling into naivete. Judging the characters on a binary good/evil criterion is foolish in this case. Perhaps Dalrymple is asking us, in our non-fictional lives, to consider carefully that everyone is capable of good or evil and each of us has a bit of both within. This is quite heady stuff for a graphic novel, and Dalrymple mostly succeeds in giving readers reasons to carefully consider where they fall on the spectrum. Again, it's not a perfect mythology, and can be heavy handed, at times. But overall, the author has created here a gritty, yet beautiful contemplation of human nature and the ascendance of beauty and innocence above the tough streets of the urban center.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Pop Gun War: Gift' by Farel Dalrymple was one of the more unusual graphic novels I've read lately. That means I liked it quite a lot.

In a very unusual city (called The City), there are a very different group of people. A young boy named Sinclair finds a pair of discarded wings and uses them to fly. His sister Emily is in a rock band. There's a down on his luck guy named Addison, and a floating goldfish with glasses named Percy. There are others and they come and go in the series of stories here.

It's hard to describe this comic. The stories take place in a city like we know, but there are fantastical elements also which remind me about things like Little Nemo and Oz. There is wonder and sadness, compassion and anger. There is a story about Emily's band being pursued by someone who wants to make them famous, and one about the children of the city being taken and mesmerized. The stories are strange and wonderful as is the art. There are characters in bow ties and top hats. The city is grimy and dirty and somehow magical.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Image Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it.

But I just didn't get it.

I hate it when I don't get something.

Maybe it bears further reading.

But the art is good.

And the narrative is intriguing.

Except, it's not a narrative.

Was it a metaphor?

Was it intended to be surreal?

Does the Rich Kid really exist?

I don't know!

Thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Distributors, and Image Comics for a copy in return for an honest review.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last of the three “graphic novels” I picked up when I picked up Blankets. I bought Blankets, American Born Chinese, and The Pop Gun War in the same order and read them back to back, so I’ve connected them as a trilogy in my head. The latter is the most interesting of the three. I was sold on the cover and a critic’s comment that compared it to a David Lynch movie. It definitely is a surreal journey through Manhattan and the life of one little boy who “finds” wings.

The Pop Gun War is the thinner of the three books but all three address the seeming helplessness of their main characters in their situations. All three end with the main characters realizing that they are not helpless and have more control than they believed.

Of the three, the latter is the most engaging and not just because of the nature of the book. Surreal is more than placing a fish in an unreal situation. Surreal is being able to first build the fantasy world, get readers to buy in to its “realness,” and then engage them emotionally In the story you are telling.

[Ademption · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars. Pop Gun War is set in a dreamy NYC populated by one-note characters: a winged kid who wants to find his sister, a child rock star who wants to rock, a bespectacled goldfish who acts as a silent companion, a small man who grows in stature when given attention, etc. While the book is well drawn and impossibly cool, there is not much happening beyond open symbols as characters moving around an environment, playing their single notes. And yet it hangs together and is fun to read.

[Jay Daze · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good art, but schematic story and poor dialogue. Magic realism needs a lot more grounding to have emotional heft. May be interesting ideas here but nothing is given proper form.

Feels like this came out of the egg too soon.

[Edward Rathke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really surreal with fantastic artwork, but it just never really clicked for me.

[A Fan of Comics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful!

Dalrtmple has become one of my favorites. His art and stories are always a mix of sci-fi and slice of life. This time we take a look at the life of a boy in New York. At least it looks and feels like New York but is never addressed as so.
I keep trying to explain this story and I'm having a hard time. ITS SO SURREAL AND YET SO REAL! My best try would be; A boy finds a pair of angel wings in the trash. His sister is a child genius who would rather be in a punk band. An artist is being followed by the devil and there is a head in a bag that tells kids to be hardcore. Its wild and simple. An ode to childhood and the pressures of being an adult. My one complaint? I really love when Farels art is colored. This book was a little "sketchy" compared to his other works I have read. By all means, it is not a bad thing! Its still fantastic but that little bit of color sure does bring his work to life. Excited for the next vol.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm ashamed to admit that I'm just now reading Dalrymple's 'Pop Gun War.' It's one of those books that was always staring out at me on the shelf, waiting for me to find the right time to pick it up.

And I'm glad I did. The story is set in a dense city (complete with it's own map), and centers around a collection of mismatched and misfit characters, growing and changing in unexpected ways. A boy fashions his own set of wings, discarded by a fallen angel, only to grow wings himself. A dwarf grows into a giant. A giant goldfish with glasses is rescued and wanders the streets. A young musical prodigy is badgered by a corporate agent. The art is grounded in semi-realism, but quietly allows the strange and the supernatural to occur.The narrative is dream-like, with shades of (do I dare use the term) magical realism, and is absorbed more than read. You can't really question a character's motives, you just have to accept it, however strange. While there is a conclusion, it isn't definitive, the characters and the world they inhabit will continue. I'm not sure if I'm doing the book justice, but these are the impressions that I came away with.

This may be surprising, but the comic reminded me of Fellini a little bit, especially his film 'Roma,' which is sort of a surreal trip through Rome. The dialogue, the turns of phrase, the surreal imagery, the magic and secrets and darkness of the city... I guess I have to wonder what Fellini would have made of Dalrymple's world. I think he would have appreciated it.

[Siina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Err, Pop Gun War was extremely hard to grasp for it makes no sense, really. Somehow it's very pop artistic and in a way profound, but at the same time a total chaos. There's no real plot, but mostly it's about a young boy named Sinclair, who discovers a disregarded pair of wings that he attaches to himself and then flies with those. There are other characters who have a role of their own, but mostly they are cryptic and seem to have a special meaning that we just don't get. Dalrymple plays with philosophic ideas and not meaningful meanings. Everything seems to exist as a contradiction just to annoy. I did like the eerie feeling of the comic, but it's really hard to get anything out of this - the comic would need a better structure, even if the pace works. It's OK if there's nothing deep in this, but the messiness kind of eats the joy out of the oddness and that's a shame.

The art varies and some of the panels are very smudgy, which hinders the quality. The comic would've needed colors, since the heavy inking and the style are hard to follow not to forget the font. The text was hard to read and looked handwritten. Also, the font varied and some of it was easier to read and that lack of harmony sucked. The view angles were wonky and overall the comic felt magical, which was nice. I also liked how the art broke through some of the panels and the colored pages looked really beautiful. Pop Gun War is an artistic comic and I've never been a fan of those, since often the art goes before everything else and this was the case with this comic too - it's a shame. Sadly so.

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is weird. I usually like weird, but this one didn't click with me. The world is a mixture of the real world with fairy tale elements, kind of like the works of Charles de Lint. There is a talking fish that doesn't need to live in water, and a man that can grow and shrink. The story centers around a young man named Sinclair, who finds a pair of wings in the trash. He puts them on and uses them to travel around the city.

Sinclair goes through a sort of odyssey, with each chapter highlighting another character in the city. I don't like that Sinclair observes more than he acts. He guides the reader through the city but doesn't do much of anything. He does interact with some of the other characters and we get to see his thoughts at least.

The art isn't my preferred style, but it is definitely the best element of the book. Something about the character drawings turned me off. The set pieces are great though. They bring the city to life amid the meandering. I would have liked more focus to the plot, including a hook as to why I should care about these characters.

[Renee Alberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pop Gun War is a perfect blend of gritty urban imagery and fantasy. The story focuses on Sinclair, a young boy who found a pair of wings in a trash can. When he straps them on, they work. The characters, including: a floating fish and his best friend whose size undergoes sudden drastic changes; a sinister silent monk; Sinclair’s very young rock star sister, Emily; the obligatory bully; and, of course, the original owner of the wings. While that cast could make for a wildly surreal tale, Farel Dalrymple grounds the story in the moving emotional connections among the characters. Sinclair’s longing for his sister and the subtle hints of back story are especially poignant. Dalrymple’s use of solid shapes, sketchy lines, splatters and detail creates the perfect texture for the outcast characters’ lonely habitat of alleyways, bars, and sparsely-furnished bedrooms.

[Alex Sarll]

A boy who finds discarded angel wings, his child rock star sister, a top-hatted dwarf and a fish wearing glasses are among the characters weaving their way through these fairytales of New York. They operate by a dream logic where someone who seems like Mephistopheles in one scene gets beaten down by street punks in the next - but it has the ring of truth you find in a real dream, not that of merely cheating which too often results when waking creators try to emulate one. It helps, of course, that Dalrymple's art is so suited to the task; spare enough for the city to seem like a fable, with appropriate transitions a natural part of that; detailed enough that the citizens feel solid and real even as they float away.

(Netgalley ARC)

[Jenefer R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this copy via NetGalley for my honest review.

Not to discount the artist's talent because the artwork is well done. This book just didn't grab me or keep me flipping pages. I finish what I start reading, I can't bring myself to DNF a book so that is why I finished it.

[Amory Blaine]

"Right before I fell I had a really great idea. After the fall I couldn't remember what it was. I still can't remember. What if that idea could have changed my life?"

[Kat Hulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each page is intriguing and poetic, but together they never form a comprehensible narrative, and it gets tedious. Abandoned.

[Benjamin Dehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great. Reminds me of Kirkman's Outcast but way more whimsical.

[Matt Graupman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I read more and more comics, I think my need for a linear, coherent story has decreased dramatically. I used to hate books that didn't make traditional sense, books that used dream logic or surrealism instead of more straightforward storytelling techniques. What I'm trying to say is, when I first read Farel Dalrymple's "Pop Gun War" many years ago, I wasn't ready for it. Reading it now, however, with a much more open mind, I'm able to really appreciate its loopy brilliance.

In the loosest sense, "Pop Gun War" is about a motley cast of weirdos living in an hectic unnamed city. In actual practice, "Pop Gun War" is about a fallen punk rock angel who gets his wings cut off with a chainsaw, a dwarf who spontaneously grows to Godzilla-size proportions, a child who loses a telekinetic near-sighted floating fish in a poker game, and A LOT more; pretty much anything goes in Dalrymple's complex world. If you're going to indulge in such dreamy stories, than you need to back it up with some truly wild visuals and Dalrymple does, over and over. I'm completely in awe of all his imagination has conceived and all his pen is able to illustrate. His art and design are so flawless, even his craziest characters seem completely plausible.

Since he first released "Pop Gun War," Farel has gone on to make "The Wrenchies" and a second "Pop Gun War" volume entitled "Chain Letter," two more lushly drawn books in his ever-expanding "Dalrymple-verse" (as I like to call it). I don't know where the hell he's going with all of this - and I suspect that he probably doesn't know either - but count me in. "Pop Gun War" is a wild ride, one that's best appreciated with open eyes and an open mind.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sinclair is a boy living in a superficially normal yet utterly fantastic inner city environment. His sister, Emily, is an aspiring rock musician with her own band and a regular gig at Smith's bar. A very short man named Sunshine Montana has a fish that follows him around, floating through the air. Addison is a homeless artist. Koole is a very peculiar and somewhat sinister monk whom everyone finds a bit alarming.

Sinclair has wings, and can fly.

No one thinks Sinclair is much more peculiar than anyone else.

But while everyone goes about their business, Emily is approached by a strange man who says he works for a big corporation, and can make her rich.

The same man approaches Addison with the promise of making him a rich, successful artist.

And then someone starts luring the children away--the same man?--with the promise of a marvelous entertainment.

Who is Koole really, and what is he hiding under his robes? Who is the Doll King? What's really going on?

The art is attractive and engaging, and the story blends the fantastic and the mundane in a way that feels completely right. It's a pleasant escape from the news of the day, if you relax and go along for the ride.

Recommended.

I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.

[Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

From a writing perspective I didn't enjoy this comic, as I tend to dislike reading media I can't manage to immediately grasp onto and understand. Since I really wanted to give this work a chance I attempted to let that feeling go and appreciate it, with moderate success.

Something about Sinclair really appealed to me, I have no clue what was happening in his world or what any of it meant but I adored the scenes of him flying around with the wings he's both emotionally and literally attached to. I probably will revisit this comic later on, and hopefully with a better recognition of the themes it was meant to carry, but I found being pulled into this strange urban fantasy to be rewarding either way.

[Carles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book.

Although one can say there was no plot or storyline, there wasn’t any need for one.

I see this book as a collection of thoughts and truths in our society, and this is evident in some of the scenes and what the characters say.

In all the mini adventures, it’s like Dalrymple is expressing his own opinions on the world, which makes this comic interesting.

Of course, the art style is amazing as well, but aside from that, I wouldn’t see it as a series, but similar to a book about stoicism.

Would I buy another book in the series? Yes. I like stoicism and thoughtful books, plus, it being in comic form is something I personally haven’t seen done before. That may mean that I just need to read more comics though.

[Colin Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the winter of 2019-2020 I took an English Literature class focused on graphic novels at PSU and as Farel was a friend/colleague of my teacher, the late great Katya Amato, we had the opportunity for him to come in and visit us to talk about the industry of comic books. Fast forward 3 years and I’m living on the other side of the globe when I spot his graphic novel Pop Gun War (parts 1 and 2) in a used book store. I snatched them up and read them both within an hour. Great work!!! I will keep my eyes peeled for his other works in hopes that some portlander has deposited more gems across other book stores in Valencia!

[Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparse and melancholic, this surreal child centred tale of the city turns on a boy who gains angel wings, his hobo friend, a dangerous haunting figure as voices in their heads, the boy’s prodigiously talented child rock and roller sister, and a mysterious figure trying to control the children. It is haunting, threatening, and humorous with powerfully evocative black and white line art exploring the meaning of friendship, the excesses of loyalty and realism, and the pervasive presence of alienation and isolation in city life. Beautiful and just a little intimidating.

[Manon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une lecture trouble au départ. Parfois des incompréhensions, qui sont dues à notre envie de tout justifier, tout comprendre.
Finalement il faut s’abandonner à cette œuvre. Le travail graphique est véritablement impressionnant. Chaque personnage est unique et fantastique. On vole à travers la ville, endroit qui relie tous les citoyens présents dans les dessins.
C’est poétique, noir et déroutant. On se plonge dans ce monde sans vraiment savoir quel effet il produira sur nous.
Surprenant mais saisissez l’opportunité de le découvrir !

[Paul Allard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me, this one. It's a surrealist story or stories based upon a strange collection of characters including a floating bespectacled fish: you get the idea. Black-and-white illustrations don't make it any better for me and it's just not my sort of comic collection. I'm sure that there are other people who will appreciate it more.

[Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Farel Dalrymple gives us a set of tales in which denizens of The City move through their daily struggles as powerful and surreal forces attempt to torment or control them. The artwork is stunning, especially when Dalrymple zooms out or zooms in to showcase a different perspective on the scenes. The stories are very strange, with a powerful emotional resonance.