How do I even start to explain this macabre, odd, silly and addictively beautiful graphic novel by Eric Powell? Do I say the story starts with a bearded little girl, Lula, at a circus trades some of her facial hair to a witch with a flatulence problem for a colorful rock that hatches into a crazy ogre monkey creature and then their real adventure starts? Let's go with that. Only way more weird. (And way more awesome.)
Chimichanga
written and illustrated by Eric Powell
colored by Dave Stewart
Dark Horse Books
September 2011
Powell is a 5 time Eisner award winner and it shows. This book is well written, witty and beautiful. Stewart brings the illustrations to life with appropriate whimsy. Seldom do I come across a book as graphically different and as charming as Chimichanga. Just when I thought I had the book figured out there came another twist that seemed - at first - to be completely out of character, but then oddly fit right in after just a page or so.
Chimichanga is a revelation. It is exactly what graphic novels should be: original, beautiful and complete. Very highly recommended.
