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A review by bluepigeon
Herman by Trade by Chris W. Kim
3.0
Herman by Trade by Chris W. Kim is stunningly drawn and inked. The art, more than the story itself, kept me reading. The story has a promising start. The cleaning crew on the waterfront prepare for the filming auditions that will take place there. Two members of the crew seem outgoing. The boss is a fan of the director. But Herman, he is shy. He stays home most nights. We find out that he does not just stay home, though. He dons a cloak and walks the streets with an entirely different look. The audition seems to inspire Herman, and he decides to go for it. His first audition is unsuccessful; his magic tricks are not what the director is looking for. So he has to give up everything, his job included, and join the end of the queue for days before he auditions again. This time, though, he shows his real talent: he can transform into anyone. Not only that, he can do whatever it is that that person can do.
The story, then, takes a turn. But by this time, I am a bit lost. I don't know what's driving Herman. Does he want fame? Does he want money? Does he want recognition? What's his deal? Most people who show up for the audition are fans of the director (or, I imagine, professionals). Herman has never heard of this film before, never knew anything about the director. He is painfully shy and alone. So what about this film or event makes him decide to come out and play? We have no idea.
We get glimpses of the director's private life. It seems that she is not that happy. Maybe she is doing this sequel to her most famous film just because she cannot get the fans to like anything else she's done? It's not clear.
The sparse dialog and pages of beautiful drawings really create a mood, but this might be the case of "too much mood, not enough character development." In the end, The mood stayed with me, but not the characters. They did not change, grow, develop, become real for me.
Recommended for those who like masks, circus acts, boardwalks, and going to the cinema.
The story, then, takes a turn. But by this time, I am a bit lost. I don't know what's driving Herman. Does he want fame? Does he want money? Does he want recognition? What's his deal? Most people who show up for the audition are fans of the director (or, I imagine, professionals). Herman has never heard of this film before, never knew anything about the director. He is painfully shy and alone. So what about this film or event makes him decide to come out and play? We have no idea.
We get glimpses of the director's private life. It seems that she is not that happy. Maybe she is doing this sequel to her most famous film just because she cannot get the fans to like anything else she's done? It's not clear.
The sparse dialog and pages of beautiful drawings really create a mood, but this might be the case of "too much mood, not enough character development." In the end, The mood stayed with me, but not the characters. They did not change, grow, develop, become real for me.
Recommended for those who like masks, circus acts, boardwalks, and going to the cinema.