Review: RASP Book One by Martin Simpson
How about some halo noir sci-fi of a Detective navigating a freedom-sacrificing dystopia where time is measured in production years and art is anarchy brought to you in art that I'm going to describe as spectacular SIMO-Vision (Trademark pending)? Then enter the world of Rasp by Martin Simpson for a reasonable fiscal contribution.
Martin "SIMO" Simpson is a freelance illustrator and comics creator based in Yorkshire. His previous comics include Skrawl, Misc, The Void, and much-loved introduction to the artist and first full-length graphic novel, Nord. He has also illustrated for Apple, Image Comics, Scholastic, Templar Publishing, The Chicken House Publishing and Puffin Books. Rasp is his first foray into an ongoing series, and that's your introduction, now for the awesomeness.
So, let's start with the art. Martin "Simo" Simpson is incredible at producing emotion-evoking art, and Rasp continues a legacy of unmistakably unique, unquestionably incomparable, wondrous transportive art. There is meticulous attention to detail with a heightened sense of emphasis to every line. The use of colour and devotion to presentation of lighting with a halo-like illuminating effect makes this art so absorbingly, irrefutably compelling.
The style of this art is so unique and grand scale cinematic in quality, it deserves its own term, and for want of better vocabulary, I'd offer SIMO-Vision to your dictionary. Rasp is such a great showcase for it. The character design is excellent and engaging on all levels, the rain-soaked landscapes are in Blade Runner territory - so good it would make Syd Mead go a big rubbery one. It's astonishing art, page after page, panel after panel, of "sit back and let it wash over you", visual delectation.
This is comic book art at its best from one of the best. Excruciatingly beautiful SIMO-Vision art aside, how's the story then?
Rasp revolves around titular Detective Agent Frisk Rasp, a highly regarded individual working for the "Agency" under "HCT", a dystopian ruling conglomerate that has transactionalised personal freedom. As an enforcer of conformity Rasp is presenting his latest case of the pursuit of missing worker 1467B a typical case with a typical outcome but holding of events which, like the loose thread of a bow tie, maybe beginning to unravel the model Needleman.
Rasp is a story of freedom, Capitalism and oppression and the powerful vitality of creative expression and anarchy of art. It's an absolute sci-fi, rain-soaked, halo-illuminated hook of a book and an introduction to a character, world and story that's instantly indicative of addictive storytelling. This is a story that will reward in so many ways, it has that tangible quality to it, and we've only just started.
A brief interruption before we wrap this one up. If you've enjoyed this review or any of the content here at CBNUK, we hate to ask, but if you could contribute to our Ko-fi, it wouldn't just be a validation of our ego, but rather a contribution to keeping this content coming and a lot more of it to boot. Capitalism is a bugger but unfortunately a resolute behemoth so any donation even small change will have a big impact, thanks just for reading - you don't know how valuable that is. Truly. Back to the scheduled content.
For fans of sci-fi, noir, invocative art, dystopia, Capitalism, rebellion, the vital necessity for the ability to have and freedom formed by creative expression for the sake of the individual and its power in others, Bow-ties, wide brimmed hats, powerful colouring and the power of colours in art to illuminate your soul with warm light it's Rasp I can highly, highly recommend.
To get your copy, you'll want to get involved with the freshly launched Kickstarter here. For more of the amazing Martin, you should go to his website here.
Review: 5+/5
