Article originally written by Steve Ponzo
This past week Dark Horse Comics re-released Mesmo Delivery, Rafael Grampá’s astonishing graphic novel debut (originally published by AdHouse). With its dark and twisted narrative and breathtaking artwork, this bookis bound to stay with the reader well after its 56 pages are through.
The story carries with it the feel of a Quentin Tarantino film, complete with in-your-face violence, gritty dialogue and an amoral tone. The atmosphere is dirty, the infrastructure crumbling, and the heroes foul mouthed. With kinetic action and daring visual direction, Grampá is able to create a truly cinematic graphic novel.His background in graphic design and art direction are put to good use in his page layouts, color sense, illustrated typography and visual flow. The Brazilian artist’s work is reminiscent of the hyper-detailed, stylized renderings of Geoff Darrow and Frank Quietly, combined with the innovative panel work of J.H. Williams all done in just four colors. Mesmo Delivery pushes the boundaries of its pages and with it the entire graphic novel medium.
Grampá crams the reader into the cab of an 18-wheeler with the hulking trucker Rufo and the courier of a highly mysterious cargo, Sangrecco. You can feel the lack of space. You itch to stretch your legs.Grampá gives his characters the opportunity to do just that at an innocent pit stop in a small town bar filled with uniquely odd and off kilter locals.A $50 wager turns this simple delivery into a harrowing tale of evil told at a breakneck pace that drips with blood.
It’s a simple plot of a bar fight gone wrong, but Grampá’s visual narrative makes this book something much more than your average action tale.As the pages advance, we begin to learn that there is something far more sinister happening. During brilliantly executed flashbacks in a match-cut style, we learn the dark nature of the unseen mysterious cargo.
In the book’s final pages, we are treated to the lone full page spread in the book.An image so beautiful, so confusing and so metaphysical, it leaves us wondering if what we’re looking at is simply metaphor or perhaps something all too real and terrifying.It’s the true mark of confident artist, who challenges our perceptions of art, storytelling and reality. Mesmo Delivery marks the debut of a new comic master who takes us on a ride and knows exactly how to deliver.
This recently released edition comes complete with a new cover, a forward by Brian Azzarello, and a 24 page sketchbook complete with pinups by Mike Allred, Eduardo Risso, Fabio Moon and Craig Thompson all for a minimal $9.99 price tag.In 2010, Dark Horse will release Rafael Grampá’s next graphic novel, the post-apocalyptic action tale, Furry Water.
