Concrete Volume 1: Depths [Paperback]

Paul Chadwick (Author, Artist)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 2005 | Series: Concrete

Part man, part...rock? Over seven feet tall and weighing over a thousand pounds, he is known as Concrete but is in reality the mind of one Ronald Lithgow, trapped inside a shell of stone, a body that allows him to walk unaided on the ocean's floor or survive the crush of a thousand tons of rubble in a collapsed mineshaft...but prevents him from feeling the touch of a human hand. These stories of Concrete are as rich and satisfying as any in comics: funny, heartbreaking, and singularly human. Depths, the first in a series of new collections reprinting the classic early Concrete stories along with never-before-collected short stories, includes the Eisner-nominated "Orange Glow" and "Vagabond," Paul Chadwick's autobiographical account of a cross-country hitchiking trip.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Possessed of the mind of a mild-mannered mensch in a gigantic, superstrong, rocklike body, Concrete was an early star of the independent comics movement, appearing intermittently since 1986. The character's outlandish origin--he was fashioned by aliens who were never again seen in the series--serves as an improbable but effective device for exploring human nature. Trapped in his granite shell, unable to feel sensual pleasures but graced with heightened senses, Concrete seeks new experiences that only he can attempt, such as a hike across the ocean's floor. Although he occasionally undertakes standard superhero exploits, such as rescuing miners trapped underground, he also engages in decidedly nontraditional jobs, like serving as bodyguard to a dotty, Prince-like rock star. Chadwick accentuates the stories' humanistic bent in his graceful, carefully wrought, black-and-white art. This collection begins a series that reprints Concrete's early appearances and previously uncollected stories by Chadwick, such as the autobiographical "Vagabond" in this volume; recalling a cross-country hitchhiking trip, it hints at how much the creator's character informs that of the creation. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse (August 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593073437
• ISBN-13: 978-1593073435
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unsung Hero, February 1, 2006

By 

J. Sheridan (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Concrete Volume 1: Depths (Paperback)

What a remarkable piece of writing! Paul Chadwick is a very sharp storyteller. While "Concrete" has clear elements of fantasy, it has a low-key tone and avoidance of flash as it looks at the ins and outs of a very huamn life through this very superhuman character. Clear and graceful art and an understated sense of humor move through this collection of short pieces. The non-Concrete short story "Vagabond" is worth the price of admission alone.

I happened upon this book by chance and have been slowly savoring the follow-up. I now look forward to volume 3!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very special series, August 1, 2007

By 

pataphysismo "pataphysismo" (Arlington, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concrete Volume 1: Depths (Paperback)

One of the best graphic series I've ever read, if not the best -- beautifully and imaginatively drawn, with deep, moving stories that contain most every characteristic people look for in storytelling (intellect, humor, pathos, adventure, sorrow, joy, awe, sex, movie parodies, and a three-legged dog). What would your life become if you were suddenly transformed into a 1,200-pound hunk of ugly, indestructible rock? Paul Chadwick answers that question from most every conceivable direction, often with unexpected, hilarious, exciting, and very touching results.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not the usual superhero in tights & cape., January 22, 2007

By 

Particle409 (White Plains, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concrete Volume 1: Depths (Paperback)

If you're looking for something deeper than just a guy with superpowers, this is a good start. Concrete chronicles the story of a man that is suddenly placed into a stone-like body, and portrays the abrupt adjustment to his life. As the other reviewer stated, this first book is not only an introduction, but also full of great other material, such as the story "Vagabond." I purchased and read this book, then read 2-7, and have enjoyed each one.