Review: Dream Machine by Ky Lawrence
How about another excellent example of the wonderful catalogue available at the LDC Online Comics Fair with a story of a unique brotherly love in art that feels like David Lynch made an Underground Manga? Welcome to a special mind with Dream Machine by Ky Lawrence.
Ky Lawrence is a freelance illustrator based in Leigh-On-Sea. A graduate of Norwich University Of The Arts with a BA in Illustration. His previous works include Bugboy, Making Bears, Forbidden Move, Sick Twisted Hell World, Going Home, Flower Zine and Puppy Zine (18+). Ky is a cartoonist, monkey fan and animator.
The extensively interesting cavalcade catalogue of curated comics coverage continues from the LDComics Online Comics Fair. Which you should know is running until the 31st of July only. There will be a link at the end. LDComics is a women-led comics forum open to all with the Online Comics Fair focusing on purely digital comics. Beautifully bountiful talent introduced it's that thing we do.
So, let’s start with the art. Ky has a really awesome, unique style that conveys the mood and feelings of German Expressionism in the skin of an Underground Manga. The abstract aspects of the visuals and the overall vibe, if you will, for this one is hardcore comix PSYCHO-delia, and I'm deeply into it.
There's some delectable surrealism on offer in this monochrome art, and a rawness to the presentation that, as a combination, makes impactful lasting imagery. I really find art like this all-consuming, it's weirdness with purpose, and that's a hard thing to pull off, but this one does it magically. There's incredible strength in visual storytelling power on offer with this art, and so many pages of face blasting deliciousness as to demand re-reads.
This is a style and package of art to strum your nervous system with a beautiful dose of unsettling surrealism and humour. Art addressed, what's the story?
Ky Lawrence spins the tale of Doctor Randall Fishwick, a scientist, dreamscape explorer and mourning twin. The clouds of grief have severely impaired Randall into an obsessive pursuit of the resurrection of the late Rory Fishwick. The cancer that took his twin, he believes, was meant for him and wracked with this guilt, a spiralling episode plays out.
The story touches on the themes of grieving, mortality, survivor's guilt, and identity without dwelling too deeply on any one subject, more than the emotional tone these themes create. The cross section of personal tragedy and surrealist humour I found extremely enjoyable, with some great moments, particular stand out being the doctor reveal page that is a great comic book moment that really hit the funny bone. It's a great example of Ky's visual storytelling prowess with equal parts humour, impact and unnerving visuals.
There are probably a dozen onions worth of layers that could be unpacked over the metaphorical meanings and messages this story and visuals offer, but I found an extremely entertaining absurdist, psychedelic, surrealist piece of art that wonderfully explores an intersection of humour and tragedy in a very interesting way. To quote a better writer, "When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro". Ky Lawrence is a pro.
DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN, it's italic but it's just a reminder if you've enjoyed the review, back the book they deserve it and it feels like we did some good. If you really enjoyed the review you can support us too on the Ko-fi below, thanks. On with the blurb.
For fans of sci-fi, horror, surrealism, German Expressionism, Underground Manga, the untimely visit of everyone's most feared individual, I am of course talking about the Monkey Bailiff, Dogfaces, twins, psychic connection, monkey doctors and Dreamscapes in art to rattle your nerves but also tickle your funny bone. There most certainly is only one Dream Machine by Ky Lawrence.
To get your copy, you need to be at the LDC Online Comics Fair here. It really is an awesome event with a host of incredible and diverse books. This being another great example. Others include Cows and The Keluarga Cable Ship Company, which we reviewed recently. Go check it out, you're bound to find something you'll love. For more Ky, check out his awesome website here.
Review: 5/5 Pro level weird
