I really liked Ghost World but didn’t find any Clowes after that that I could really get into (I think I read 'Ice Haven' and 'David Boring' and maybe 'Velvet Glove...' as they're always on the shelves at the local library). But finally I've come across another great one.'The Death-Ray' is a superhero tale told within the setting that Clowes usually explores: adolescents searching for identity and purpose. This take on the superhero is really interesting. Andy is a teenager who finds that he gets superpowers when he smokes cigarettes. Without much of a use for super strength, he and his friend Louie manufacture scenarios from which they might be able to elicit a violent confrontation, usually with unintended results. He also has a handheld raygun that instantly vaporizes its target. Basically, it explores the bad decision-making of an aimless hormonal male whose only friend is a loudmouthed provocateur. It is quite short (it only took me about an hour to read) which I think works in its favour as it doesn't get as complicated and strange as something like 'David Boring'. An good plot, some interesting ideas, but not hilarious or a life-changer so not quite a 4. I like the intrigue of a character that has a pregnant humanity. Pity the character is giving birth to an aborted manhood and destructive thoughts. I like that it is not simplistic or closed, and in some way just completely and maddeningly believable. Death Ray sort of got some understanding in the end, and sort of limited himself to a lessened level of destruction, without reaching any positive manifsstation of himself.
What do You think about The Death-Ray (2011)?
Beautiful, intriguing, haunting. Classic Clowes at the height of his powers.
—varsha
haha so weird and funny! in the Daniel Clowes way
—minx44
