Right away, I was struck by a similarity in style and subject between Nate Powell's work here and Craig Thompson's Blankets. There's a slightly more surreal and even playful tone at play as well that one might compare to the works of Leland (Pubo) Purvis or Jay (The Sandwalk Adventures) Hosler. Ultimately IT Disappears is a personal and philosophical work that challenges the reader with the elusiveness of meaning. I'm not saying the book is meaningless... quite the opposite, in fact. What the creator is trying to say isn't easy, though, and the two-pronged storytelling approach may be difficult, but it's intriguing and impressive as well.
A young man's consciousness floats in and out of reality, from the present to the past to a limbo of existence. He encounters a doe and a salamander who, surprisingly, engage him in conversation about the world around them. He also speaks with a older man in rural Michigan whose experiences in war and in the hustle and bustle of everyday life helped him realize what is truly important. It's as though the world around, natural and otherwise, is screaming out to him, trying to drive home a particular message about the fleeting nature of life and experience.
Visually, this book has a lot in common with Craig Thompson's Blankets. The styles are fluid, and there's a sketchy, grounded look to the line art. Some scenes, notably those featuring the anthropomorphic characters, remind me of Greg Beettam's work from Xeno's Arrow from a few years back. And the scenes on the Michigan farm, between the Vietnam vet and the main character, serve to remind me of the styles of such artists as Guy (The Marquis) and Sam (Scratch) Kieth.
It Disappears is not an easy book. The fluid style extends beyond the artwork. Disparate scenes flow one into the other. The reason is clear: a single message is being conveyed, but who's conveying it shifts. Perception and memory here are ever-changing, and it makes for an unconventional approach to the storytelling. The dialogue is often cryptic, even poetic, but clarity isn't what the creator is aiming for here.
Ultimately, the message I came away with was that we need to focus on sheer experience, our connections to others and who we are as individuals. Petty concerns such as designer clothes and trying to get others to approve of us are a waste of time. Do I fully get It Disappears? Hell no, but I don't think its message is meant to be as black-and-white as the format of the book. I think by design, this graphic novel is meant to mean something different to each and every reader.
Note: This graphic novel was not among this week's new releases.
