Dean Poling
When the first issue of this limited series was released in February, this column noted, "I'm not sure exactly what this title is about but that's OK. (Writer Grant) Morrison rarely shows all of his cards upon first sitting at the table. It's usually fun sticking around and watching him play, though." Now that the series has been released in its entirety as a trade-paperback edition, this sentiment still holds true: Not sure what this book's about, but it is fun. "Vimanarama" is the tale of Ali, a member of an Indian family, who regularly has to bail his siblings, cousins, etc., out of trouble. Ali is also terribly worried about meeting his family-arranged bride, believing if she is ugly then the gods are against him. Soon, in an effort to save a baby brother, he meets his bride-to-be while also awakening a series of celestial beings which look like a cross between Jack Kirby's cosmic comic creations and something out of Vishnu. With Philip Bond handling the illustrating, "Vimanarama" has a vivacious and different look from the overwhelming number of either dark, gritty comics illustrators or broadly anime-influenced artists. It's a fun book to look at and an interesting surreal trip, once again, into the prolific mind of Grant Morrison, who has to be one of the hardest-working writers in comics. NOTE: This book may not be suitable for younger readers.
