Intricate, even exquisite - but never immaculate, Theo Ellsworth's Capacity is a mind turned inside out. Ellsworth's careful line gives shape to profound and profoundly silly thoughts alike, bringing a visionary, startling new life to the doubts and hopes that are so familiar to everyone. This is the 2010 reprint of Theo Ellsworth's debut graphic novel. Capacity.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
A surreal journey through exquisitely crosshatched forests, cities and caverns, where the beasts populating dreams become skittish at the scent of the dreamer. --The Village Voice
Exactly the kind of book you discover in a dream - perhaps a whole library full - and long for so badly when they vanish upon waking. Only this one still exists in the conscious world. An indispensable visionary handbook with crossover instructions for navigating the dreams we dream in our sleep and the dream that's dreaming us. --Craig Thompson, author of Blankets
Theo Ellsworth's Capacity comics are a treasure. --Eric Nakamura, Giant Robot
Exactly the kind of book you discover in a dream - perhaps a whole library full - and long for so badly when they vanish upon waking. Only this one still exists in the conscious world. An indispensable visionary handbook with crossover instructions for navigating the dreams we dream in our sleep and the dream that's dreaming us. --Craig Thompson, author of Blankets
Theo Ellsworth's Capacity comics are a treasure. --Eric Nakamura, Giant Robot
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Let me add another 5-star rating to this astonishing book!
Theo Ellsworth gives us a remarkable collection of stories, chronicling his struggles & growth as a creative artist. That's not an uncommon story, of course -- but you've never seen it told quite like this, with artwork of true originality & incredible detail. You can spend hours poring over each page, constantly finding new things, all of them springing from a seemingly endless & fertile imagination. Ellsworth doesn't simply relate the difficulty of creating art while inundated with so many images & ideas, he shows us, so that we experience the same lush delirium of his experience.
But there's another, quieter level to this autobiographical work. Ellsworth comes across with a genuine warmth, modesty, and sincerity that's completely winning. What might easily be both pity party & overblown grandiosity in a lesser artist, is something most becoming & straightforward in these pages. Several graphic artists have dealt with the contents of the Unconscious, often in startling & revealing ways -- but this is something special, even in their impressive company. This is visionary work!
Needless to say, most highly recommended!
Theo Ellsworth gives us a remarkable collection of stories, chronicling his struggles & growth as a creative artist. That's not an uncommon story, of course -- but you've never seen it told quite like this, with artwork of true originality & incredible detail. You can spend hours poring over each page, constantly finding new things, all of them springing from a seemingly endless & fertile imagination. Ellsworth doesn't simply relate the difficulty of creating art while inundated with so many images & ideas, he shows us, so that we experience the same lush delirium of his experience.
But there's another, quieter level to this autobiographical work. Ellsworth comes across with a genuine warmth, modesty, and sincerity that's completely winning. What might easily be both pity party & overblown grandiosity in a lesser artist, is something most becoming & straightforward in these pages. Several graphic artists have dealt with the contents of the Unconscious, often in startling & revealing ways -- but this is something special, even in their impressive company. This is visionary work!
Needless to say, most highly recommended!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By S. Diede
Format:Paperback
A fascinating portrayal of the author's quest to find himself and create an outlet for his vast imagination . This book is told in first person and is filled with the author's own intricate, whimsical, art. A treat for the mind and body.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most singular imagination I've ever seen applied to a page (or 300+)
December 4, 2008
Format:Paperback
I've only read the original 6 in this series, but all had the most fantastically amazing illustrations and laugh out loud moments of any graphic novels or comic books I've read. I can't recommend this highly enough, you will never want to tame your imagination again.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Coot
Format:Paperback
The art is great, but there is no story. It's a bunch of mini-comic shorts framed by a search for creativity without going crazy. The shorts are nice, but the rest gets a little whiny. Why can't I fit in... Why can't I just create and survive. Why am I so weird. Muur... I expected so much more. I think the author would be better off with an actual story for his later works, because his art is very original.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extraordinary. This book will expand your mind. Unbridled Imagination and Creativity
November 7, 2008
Format:Paperback
You will have a hard time putting this book down. Not only will the images take your breath away and draw you in deeper and deeper into the authors imaginary world...but you will walk away from the experience with a lighter heart.
You've never seen such detail in someone's art. There is soooo much going on here, such rich depth...I found the book pressed to my face as I tried to decipher a 2.5 inch atlas...inscribed with places like `stairs to snail world' or `the original fishy.'
I want to buy a copy for every friend I know!!
You've never seen such detail in someone's art. There is soooo much going on here, such rich depth...I found the book pressed to my face as I tried to decipher a 2.5 inch atlas...inscribed with places like `stairs to snail world' or `the original fishy.'
I want to buy a copy for every friend I know!!
By aldous
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am not sure this book is for everyone. I will say that I loved it, though. Its very imaginative and dream-like. You are the main character sorta... It is definitely fun to read.
By Chris Smith
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
First thing I've read/bought by Theo Ellsworth.
Really, really like it.
The art is awesome and charming, and Mr. Ellsworth is quite witty.
Really, really like it.
The art is awesome and charming, and Mr. Ellsworth is quite witty.
By joe
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I ordered this for my 7 year old son( although its not a kids book) after we found a copy of "sleeper car" his only other book in an art/ graphic novel store in Bristol,Uk. he absolutely loves it. the artist must have so much patience to draw such detailed illustrations and an extremely vivid imagination. VERY SURREAL! but not disturbing, every page is a work of art. you can spend hours examining the exquisite detail of the drawings
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect
Perfect condition, might as well have been new. Quick shipping and great service. No writing in the book and book spine was practically new. Great read as well!
Published 12 months ago by Anthony Perkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Capacity
I found this treasure while strolling through Portland Saturday Market. The displayed artwork caught my attention and I noticed Capacity. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Chris
5.0 out of 5 stars
love having it near the couch
I am an artist too and I find this little book so fortifying.I think the work is unique,brave and engaging. just love it,
Published on April 22, 2011 by katema
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book!!
This is one of the best books I have ever read. I thought it was a collection of pictures--which would be cool in and of itself because I love this guy's work--but it is also a... Read more
Published on January 16, 2011 by starry-eyed
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent and weird
black and white stories collected and connected together.
the drawings are superb, this is something you have to see to believe it. Read more
the drawings are superb, this is something you have to see to believe it. Read more
Published on February 24, 2010 by Evzenie Reitmayerova
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