The Will Eisner Companion: The Pioneering Spirit of the Father of the Graphic Novel

Early in this work, co-author Weiner explains that when he realized how little comics criticism there was, he decided to do a serious study of the works of Will Eisner. One of comic books' founding fathers, Eisner created in 1940 the Spirit, a masked crimefighter whose series became a dazzling showcase of visual storytelling virtuosity. From 1978 to his recent death, Eisner pioneered the contemporary graphic novel as a vehicle for significant, often autobiographical themes. But Couch and Weiner's attempts at scholarly critiques merely skim the surface. Still, this companion provides a valuable history of Eisner's long career. ""The Spirit: A to Z"" section, a mini-encyclopedia of the series, should revive happy memories for ""Spirit"" aficionados. Another section recounts the plots of Eisner's graphic novels through biographies of their characters. Nearly every page in the book features panels from Eisner's work, demonstrating his unique blend of caricature and realism, and his command of chiaroscuro effects. Two complete ""Spirit"" stories are included, but the first, a 1966 retelling of the Spirit's origin, fails to transcend its melodramatic cliches. The second, however, is the 1948 classic ""Gerhard Shnobble,"" a fable about an apparent nobody who briefly succeeds in flying. Marred by its sentimental ending, the story is nonetheless a fine example of Eisner's mastery of the comics medium. This is a solid overview of Eisner work, even though it lacks in-depth analysis.