Doghead

by Al Columbia

A collection of 3 comic stories (or 'Pods,' as their called on the first page), two black & white and one colour, from the fertile and troubling imagination of Pim & Francie creator Al Columbia.
'Broken Face,' 'Patio Lanterns' & 'Poster Child.'

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

At the age of 19, he was hired by Bill Sienkiewicz to be his assistant on Alan Moore’s, Big Numbers.

Since then you may have seen some of his numerous other works such as Pim & Francie, Doghead, and The Biologic Show.

He is also a musician and artist.

Reviews

[D.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though this has been (by at least one contemporary reviewer) dismissed as a Bill Sienkiewicz ripoff (for whom Columbia was an apprentice many years ago), the latter wishes he was this talented. His influence can be clearly seen, but Sienkiewicz's sole individual contribution to comics, Stray Toasters, comes across as a young student's Freudian pastiche while Doghead is an introduction to the darkness that is Columbia's subconscious.
The stories herein contained are merely a taste of the nightmarish landscape further explored in almost all of Columbia's later work, but worth at least a read all the same. The art is certainly much more Sienkiewicz-inspired than Columbia's output following this book, but the writing and imagery clearly hints at what was to follow.
This was the beginning of Columbia's now-long standing as perhaps the most rumoured & mysterious figure in comics, and largely feels like that. It's worth tracking down if you're a completist, but his work after this is certainly better.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a sick man's brain, and pick it apart, you will get something akin to this. An very beautiful drawing style, and the pictures are really dark and gritty, but the crowning on the top for me is the GOD as a bar owner that provides free drugs.

It is obvious that it is a play on the word Godhead, but the feeling that the stories never end and the hopelessness give it a wonderful touch. A recommended read for whoever has the odd half an hour to dedicate to this.

[Gabriel Infierno · Rating 4 out of 5]

the art is amazing, how can I not like it.

[Croatoan616 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations! Bloody marvelous! Astounding! Diseased... Bought it last year off of ebay and haven't looked through it until now, due to my on and off hiatus of everything book-related. My concentration just haven't been there. Last night it was and I was blown away. Not disappointed, just incredibly inspired.

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The nightmarish quality isn't quite achieved yet in this early Al Columbia work, but there are definite seeds being planted here to see just how this master of horror comics operates. While not at the level of something like "The Trumpets They Play!" or The Biologic Show, there is some great bits of twisted and creepy artwork scattered throughout Doghead.

Riffing on the concept of "Godhead", Doghead promises only nightmares and sheer hopelessness. The three comics in here are grim portraits of human conditions, but surreal enough to not really feel too depressing. Columbia often manages to tread the fine line between the truly depraved and the zany by crafting some terrifying bits of nightmare landscapes, and Doghead definitely shows his promise well. Definitely a worthwhile addition to any fan of horror comics, but particularly for the Al Columbia completionists.

[Ciro Cicogna · Rating 3 out of 5]

sintesi scritta:

- non si capisce un cazzo
- è oscuro, depresso, in un certo senso profondo e cattivo
- è sicuramente meglio di come gioca l'Inter