Shutterbug Follies: Graphic Novel (Doubleday Graphic Novels)

Shutterbug Follies: Graphic Novel (Doubleday Graphic Novels)

Bee works as a photo-finishing technician at a one-hour lab in lower Manhattan. To amuse herself, she duplicates (for her own collection) any titillating photographs that happen to pass through her hands. When pictures of a naked corpse are left for processing, Bee's curiosity goes into high gear. "Shutterbug Follies" is a comic murder mystery filled with unlikely coincidences, humorous misunderstandings, and hairbreadth escapes. Drawn with wit and imagination, it brings a classic genre totally up-to-date. From Publishers Weekly Originally serialized as both a weekly newspaper comic strip and a web comics serial, Little's first full-length graphic novel (following his award-winning short book Jack's Luck Runs Out) is a witty, lighter-than-air murder mystery with a hugely likeable young sleuth. Scrappy 18-year-old Bee is working in a New York photo lab when a picture of a naked female corpse that's not quite what it appears to be piques her interest. Her amateur investigation of its photographer leads her to an ever-deepening mystery, a friendly cab driver, a cute but nervous photo assistant, some scary doings with the Russian mob and finally, into deadly danger. Little made his reputation on the alternative comics scene as an experimentalist, but he's also a natural storyteller. It takes a rereading or two to notice just how varied and complicated his techniques are (many of them are borrowed from photography, like the "fisheye lens" he uses in a few dramatic panels, or the rounded panel borders that suggest old-fashioned snapshots). The narrative flows gorgeously through quiet domestic moments, action scenes and a hair-raising dream sequence. Stylish and graceful, Little's figures and compositions suggest a grimier urban version of Belgian comics master Herg?'s classic Tintin books. He captures New York City's animated density and diversity with his pop-art, candy-colored palette. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Adult/High School-Shortly after starting work at a photo-processing shop in downtown Manhattan, Bee, 18, develops several pictures of dead bodies, some brought in by crime-scene photographer Oleg Khatchatourian. Now, developing pictures of "cats, babies, birthdays and vacations" isn't exciting, so she becomes a detective in the spirit of Nancy Drew, to determine whether or not Khatchatourian had something to do with his wife's demise. The horizontal layout and varying frame sizes propel the action to a fever pitch. Little's use of color is strong as well, with the photo-negative images adding a layer of mystery. Even the shape of the book, like a photo album, continues the artist's theme. The city of New York is a strong character, too, with its ethnic restaurants, crowded subway cars, niche galleries, and rock clubs. The New York Public Library even makes a few appearances as Bee researches her hunches with microfilm and the Merck Manual. The young woman is a plucky, indefatigable heroine who climbs out of bathroom windows and up fire escapes, and goes on high-speed car chases with a taxi driver/musician. With nearly implausible coincidences, a dash of slapstick humor, and a few red herrings, this is a detective romp, and the ending panel leaves readers breathlessly awaiting a sequel. Jamie Watson, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. About the Author Jason Little lives in Brooklyn with his wife, novelist Myla Goldberg. He wrote and illustrated the award-winnin g Jack's Luck Runs Out, as well as a number of short works for various cartoon anthologies.