Euro Comics: Reviews of Alone and Park Bench
Episode description
Time Codes:
- 00:00:26 - Introduction
- 00:02:41 - Catching up
- 00:04:47 - Alone
- 00:44:03 - Park Bench
- 01:12:16 - Wrap up
- 01:13:10 - Contact us
For the February Euro Comics episode, Edward and Derek discuss two works from Christophe Chabouté, Alone and Park Bench, both published by Gallery 13, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. The first is a largely quiet meditation on solicitude, exile, and imagination. Because of physical deformities, the protagonist lives isolated in a lighthouse, with only a couple of fishermen to bring him supplies and serve as his link to the outside world. By contrast, Park Bench is a completely silent narrative that is all about community. The titular object functions as a simple focal point that brings together, inadvertently, a variety of diverse individuals, demonstrating an interconnectedness that is not readily apparent. While Derek appreciates Chabouté's uncomplicated style and thematic approach, Edward is more critical, preferring more visual difference and ambiguous messaging.