By Keigen Rea — Creating a narrative based on history is pretty much always tricky. How does one build themes and structure to events that actually happened in a way that’s honest while also being entertaining, striking that rare balance where fun is met with information? This question lies at the heart of some of my favorite pieces of media, from Hardcore History to 13th, from Hamilton to When They See Us, and this week’s The Comic Book History of Animation #1 is a new entry in this genre and: it’s pretty good! 

As far as I can tell, the ’Comic Book History of Comics’ and other collaborations between Fred Van Lenta and Ryan Dunlavey are at least fairly popular, but this is the first one I’ve read, which is a bit funny, because I think I’m more interested in reading the others that I know of. That itself is a testament to this issue, and hopefully the series, because even while I am not as interested as I could be, this issue frames the events in a way where I’m happy that I’m reading it.

This issue recounts the early days of both film and animation, the way they’re linked and where they split. There’s urine. A dinosaur does some art. Walt Disney does some stuff.

I think the highlight of the issue for me are the characters, who are designed as hybrids of the person and the character they are linked to. This seems like a hallmark and a highlight of these creator’s collaborations, and I can see why. The caricatures almost act as pneumatic devices to help build associations, themes, and narratives all at once. It also helps to sell some of the more outlandish moments in the issue, but even that is only part of why I love them. Really, I think these blends of creator and creation really helps to sell Van Lente and Dunlavey as collaborators on every level of the issue. 

Even at the best of times, it’s nearly impossible to really know where an idea in a comic came from. When someone in a script, it doesn’t mean it was initially the writer’s idea, they could have gotten it from a conversation with the artist, or editor, or anyone, really. On the other hand, everything in the page may be dictated by the writer, with the artist sticking to it exactly. The way these characters are designed, though, feels like the exact place where this nebulous crediting really really works. Each caricature is obviously designed first to work as an image, but because of the way they function, the story and captions work together. They are holistic in a way that makes me feel like there was a good amount of planning between the creators. This issue would have worked if the caricatures were done a different way, but they’re skillful craft elevates the whole project into something more notable than they could have been. 

Overall: This is a comic that’s informative without being boring. It is only the first chapter of a series, but it still delivers a complete part of the narrative. If you’ve been waiting to dive into one of these collaborator’s books, now is the time! 8.5/10

REVIEW: The Comic Book History of Animation #1

The Comic Book History of Animation #1
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Artist/Letterer: Ryan Dunlavey 
Publisher: IDW
Price: $3.99
The team behind IDW'S Comic Book History of Comic Books returns with a brand-new series! From Aardman to Zoetrope, Disney to Miyasaki, Hanna-Barbera to Pixar, and everything in between! The perfect companion piece to CBHoC, the Comic Book History of Animation focuses on the filmmakers and beloved characters of the past century and a half, and is essential for fans of the medium and 'toon newbies alike.
Release Date: December 9, 2020
Buy It Here: The Comic Book History of Animation #1

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Keigen Rea will not die before he goes to a Con. Find him @prince_organa where he says stuff.