Comments on: Let's Go to Utah! #1-3 Review

By: kinslow

kinslow — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:09:45 +0000

I have really enjoyed this book.
I think the story is very strong and the twists have me guessing every issue. Dave's handling of the dialogue is top notch with very realistic back and forth between the characters. I love the spots in some diner as Leif and Dave banter with a waitress.
The art is a little uneven I agree but it seems to stem for Dave's enthusiasm to get to the next page. One of the best things about the art is the dynamic page layout. Each panel contributes to telling the story smoothly and supports the story well.

By: Journalista - the news weblog of The Comics Journal » Blog Archive » June 4, 2008: Brian Braddock does not like Mondays

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 05:51:48 +0000

[...] Brian Cronin on the first three issues of Dave Chisholm’s Let’s Go to Utah! (Above: sequence from [...]

By: dave c.

dave c. — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:25:29 +0000

yes sir. it's my first time. i mainly play and write music--i'm starting grad school for jazz composition and performance in the fall...should be a good time. i just woke up one day last fall and had this story in my head and i absolutely had to get it out. i'm glad you decided to check it out--and i'm stoked for you to read the next 3 issues. it's 9 total, so i'm almost done drawing it.

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:17:52 +0000

Yeah, that's what I thought, Dave.

Isn't this, like, your first actual comic book?

So of course you're still growing as an artist - the most important thing that I see is that you have the storytelling stuff down - that's the hardest thing for artists to learn (if they don't already have it down).

By: dave c.

dave c. — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:07:59 +0000

my main goal is to tell a compelling story as effectively as possible.
my 2nd goal is to consistently improve.
it's been about a year since i started taking this seriously, and i'm having a blast doing it.
i'm just glad that i'm capable enough to entertain a handful of people with my work.
thanks for checking out my work, brian!

By: Brian Cronin

Brian Cronin — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:45:42 +0000

I'm sure Chisholm was going for a certain type of looseness with his pencils.

That said, that does not explain the inconsistent (and often just flat out poor) depictions of anatomy and proportions in the series. Look at the third page (the one with Dave in the passenger seat), that is the best example of the problems I had with the artwork - the anatomy is poor and the spatial representation is, as well, and neither of those were done for story reasons - it was just a poorly drawn panel.

It popped up with less frequency as the issues went on, but it is still a notable concern (hence me, you know, noting it ) and "bad anatomy" is not something that is a hallmark of non-superhero work - it comes up in most comic book work.

This is not to say that anatomy HAS to conform to certain pre-established proportions - of course not - Paul Pope's anatomy is just as good as Art Spiegelman's whose anatomy is just as good as John Cassaday, etc.- but the problem is when you apply the anatomy inconsistently - if there was a story reason for the bad anatomy in the aforementioned panel, okay, but there was not - and that was a problem I had throughout the issues (less as it went on, which is a good sign of artist growth).

By: Allen

Allen — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 18:27:35 +0000

I think the great thing about this book is not in a fine realistic detail, but letting those loose inks and really fluid gestures create the atmosphere of a rollercoaster ride and as you turn every page, the ride and worse and worse until a complete halt at the end of the issue. If you wanted detail, look to the supehero genre to sate that appetite but you wont get it here, and that's why its amazing. This book wasn't demanding for the attention of perfection, but to gain an emotional feel as if you were Dave, you were that unfortunate guy who took that stranger's offer and so many things go in your mind as you take the ride.

As for Chisholm himself, give him a few more years and more work under his belt but he's definitely a guy to keep your eyes out for.

By: Francine

Francine — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:42:45 +0000

Yeah, not bad. I like the art style and can forgive odd proportions if the theme is strong. Good job Dave. Utah loves you!

By: Eric Iverson

Eric Iverson — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:12:29 +0000

This is an awesome story, with great characters, unexpected twists, and clever dialog. If a studio doesn't buy the film rights to 'Utah, I'll be shocked.

By: Hank

Hank — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:34:12 +0000

While there is the occasional not-so-great-panel, the great majority of Dave's work is really well crafted. His storytelling, first and foremost, is particularly captivating and draws the reader in with nuance and sly humor that is all too rarely seen in any medium, much less comics. I like that the style is somewhat flexible and something less than anatomical, certainly it adds to the otherworldly aspects of a story about a boy with bad dreams. Also, I must say in admiration that Dave Chisholm has the best damn work ethic I've ever seen. He's currently deep in issue seven of this series after having only started out sometime last August, (I think). Wowee.

By: Jonas

Jonas — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:47:40 +0000

Nice review. I think Chisholm's style works to support the story. Some established artists in the industry don't draw half as detailed.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:29:54 +0000

I have really enjoyed this series, and have found that even if some of the proportions are not perfect, the style in consistent and matches the story well.

By: dave

dave — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:55:47 +0000

thanks for the review!