Inspiring Interiors from a New Graphic Novel

This is by far the most modernist comic book we've ever seen. Written and beautifully illustrated by David Mazzucchelli, Asterios Polyp is the story of an architect who escapes to the Midwest after his New York apartment burns down...

The book chronicles Asterios' life, using furniture arrangements as metaphors for his state of being. Colored in blues, purples, and reds, its composition is as intriguing as its story. New York Times book reviewer Douglas Wolk calls it "a big, proud, ambitious chunk of a graphic novel, with modernism on its mind and a perfectly geometrical chip on its shoulder... a Novel of Ideas with two capital letters."

Mazzucchelli spent 10 years composing the book, which was just published this July. For more information, visit Pantheon Graphic Novels.

Photos: illustrations by David Mazzucchelli, excerpted from Asterios Polyp

Comments (18)

Wow. A little over the top. I hope there's good character development at least.

Katiekills, you're a pro at snideness. That was a nice attempt at belittling 10 years of work.

It's a fantastic graphic novel, from a narrative and art perspective. Anyone interested in architecture and the abstract arts will likely enjoy it as much as I did. The 10 years of work shows!

@ Katiekills--you should at the very least read it before pronouncing judgment.

Whoa whoa whoa!
You're all right, I haven't read it, but I do have a strong appreciation for art, design and architecture and I'm curious to find out more about his work.
I'm merely commenting on the fact that this page is SO styled, so staged, that it doesn't appear realistic. Maybe that's not the point, but I find it overrides his 10 years of work by making the entire graphic novel inaccessible to newcomers.

Not having read the GN in question, I found I had a similar reaction to Katiekills. However, my thought was that what made it "over the top" *was* indicative of character. As a graphic novel it is fair to make the main character a caricature. I think it is perfectly possible for this to be a respectable homage to an aesthetic *and* let us know (if his name hasn't told us so already) that this character is more than a little bit ridiculous. I wish the author much success!

I don't know if I'd use the word 'inspiring'-don't get me wrong- it looks fantastic and so well done! It just seems too modern (at least for me) to be inspiring.

wow. the reaction to katiekills was way out of proportion to what she actually said. and what if the author took five years to make this? could katie comment then? or maybe only if it took him five minutes? what is the threshold for allowing people to express their initial opinions?

maybe an area rug under that living room setting? but at least it isn't cluttered.

lol.

looks interesting. i'll have to look it up at a brick and mortar book store.

Graphic novel? Is that what they're calling comic books for poseurs these days? How pretentious.

@LBhirise: You obviously haven't read one. Graphic novels are novels in graphic form. There are some that are collections of comic books (those thin, soft-covered serials you are probably thinking of), but many are conceived and written just like a regular novel is and can be as sophisticated. If it's done well, the illustrations add depth and nuance to the story-telling rather than merely depicting the action (as might be the case with this one). You should know what you're talking about before sneering at it.

This is a fabulous book, funny and ouchy, with plenty of character development. And yes, the one-of-every-piece-of-iconic-furniture apartment is meant as satire, not to inspire.

Very interesting, I will definitely read the whole thing just to see how this page fits in the general tone...

Graphically, it reminds me strongly of Michel Rabagliati's illustrated books (éditions de la Pastèque): "Paul en appartement", etc.

LOL! Not ten minute ago did I finish reading this book, and now I come across this article. I love you apartment therapy. Asterios Polyp is amazing! David Mazzucchelli's ten years were well spent. As were my 30$.

@Slowdown. I'm friends with the very serious cartoonist (not Graphic Novelist), Andrew Lorenzi, and the combination of what he says with how Chris Ware feels (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6u_wHKANVg), makes me side with LBhirise. Your defense of comics, however well-intentioned, I think may be benefitted by taking your own advice.

Also, I'd like to admit that I used the term "graphic novel" pretty heavily as well up until about a year ago.

You're defending the idea that the stuff your friend and Ware, etc. write are merely "comic books for poseurs"? That's sad.

Umm no, actually I didn't think I needed to defend comics. I was pointing out that I also think that the term "graphic novel" is too often used and pretentious. And I was trying to do it nicely.

I think I now realize, fully, my previous hesitancy to register to leave comments on Apartment Therapy posts.