Word Balloons: Pop-style artist explores ‘Bowie’
by Matthew Price
An innovative rock star’s life story is told in a new graphic novel illustrated by one of the medium’s most intriguing artists in “Bowie: Stardust, Rayguns and Moonage Daydreams,” which went on sale this month from Insight Comics.
The original graphic novel tells the origin story of musical sensation David Bowie, and his transformation from a young performer named David Jones into the interstellar alien Ziggy Stardust, and beyond. Neil Gaiman ("American Gods") provides the introduction.
Artist Mike Allred, known for his work on titles like “Madman,” “X-Force” and “iZombie,” is the title’s illustrator, working with writer Steve Horton and colorist Laura Allred.
Mike Allred’s pop-art style has intersected with rock 'n’ roll before, in his series “Red Rocket 7.” He said in a news release that Bowie has always been an influence.
"Everything that has inspired me throughout my life and career can be found intersecting with David Bowie," Mike Allred said. "With my obsessive passion for music, pop art, film and the electricity of the comic book medium all coming together through the sounds and imagery of his creative output."
Horton, writer and co-creator of the comics series “Satellite Falling,” is also a longtime Bowie fan.
"Being part of an original graphic novel about my favorite musician is like a dream come true, as is working with artistic legends like the Allreds," Horton said. "Our collective obsession with Bowie has created something special. and I'm immensely proud of it."
Award-winning color artist Laura Allred pointed out a personal connection that Bowie’s music has for her and her longtime collaborator Mike Allred, who is also her husband.
"David Bowie has always fascinated me," Laura Allred said. "His art, music and personas, all so beautiful and enigmatic. It’s wonderfully symbolic that the first gift Michael ever gave me was the ‘Hunky Dory’ album!”
"Bowie" is available now at comic shops and bookstores.
In addition to “Bowie,” the Allreds plan a March return to their “Madman” universe of comics with a new series, “X-Ray Robot.”
Joined by letterer Nate Piekos, the new series from Dark Horse features Max, who conducts an experiment that reveals a robotic figure claiming to be his 277-year-old self. This “X-Ray Robot” joins Max on a trip through time and space to save the universe from an entity out to unravel the world.
"X-Ray Robot expands on my 'Madmaniverse,'” Allred said in a news release. “Some of the threads are more obvious than others, but most of my creator-owned work ties together.”
The first issue of the four-issue series is set for a March 25 release.
Matthew Price, matthew@matthewLprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.
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