Review
That line from a Frank Sinatra song came into my mind the minute I started reading Zed. The exact minute. No matter what one's views regarding the small press happen to be, I doubt anyone can say that imagination is a category in which Michel Gagne is lacking.
Normally, I'm rather hesitant when looking at a book produced solely by one person. Part of it is jealousy - creating visual art baffles me. Also, sometimes such works fall short of expectations; it seems very rare when someone can do both well.
The fact that Gagne seems capable of effortlessly meshing both talents is both frustrating and spectacular. The art by itself is worth the price of the graphic novel. Gagne's animation background translates well to the printed page. The space scenes alone are mind-boggling, and make me think of old-school rave flyers from my younger, miscreant days. In other words, he creates visual feats that I have not witnessed without heavy pharmacological influences coursing through my body. The work is just so beautiful, at times, that it defies words. However, Gagne's animation background is a hindrance in some cases. Some panels are beyond spartan - some background scenery could have punched them up a bit. Still, the animation-style art is what grabs attention. The characters, ranging from the adorable Zed to the monstrous Maxuss, have a simple expressiveness, with clean lines reminiscent of True Story, Swear To God. In fact, Gagne's skill at having a character's appearance indicate a great deal about his personality is remarkable.
The plot itself is also highly imaginative. While, at its inception, it seems to be a straight-forward look at a young alien inventor, it quickly takes turns that throw such a notion out the window. Gagne balances humor and tragedy throughout the tale, making the reading sublime. My only negative comment to the work is based significantly on personal taste. At times, Gagne's captions are completely redundant. Coming from a literary background, I've had Show - don't tell! pounded in my head like a mantra, and it remains there since my college graduation. In a medium where words and pictures synthesis to form a cohesive whole, showing and telling at the same time throws the flow of the book off-kilter. For example, in one panel, Zed faces a Hamlet-esque moment where he contemplates suicide. The caption reads, "...the trauma of the terrible incident has made him nearly suicidal." This is accompanied by a thought balloon: "What's the point of living? Maybe I should just end it!" The same sentiment, expressed in caption and in panel, grinds the pacing of the work to a halt. Similarly, the "trauma of the terrible incident" phrase could be eliminated, as the reader understands how terrible the incident must be if Zed is nearly suicidal. But aside from that nit-picky criticism, the story boasts a great style and flow.
If this review has seemed overly subjective, it's because Gagne's work is so fresh and exciting it would be hard notto have a personal reaction to it. Gagne blends sophistication and simplicity well. Despite appearances, the book isn't geared toward children, but adults should enjoy this a great deal. And, as the ending is left rather open, I'll certainly be picking up Volume 2 as soon as it becomes available. --Ed Cunard, Comic World News
You will love this new series, Zed is deliciously twisted, funny, epic and endearing at the same time. --Mick Martin, Comic Book Galaxy
Michel Gagne is a talent from the world of animation whose work I was first introduced to when I read the first three issues of Zed. In San Diego, Gagne passed me a copy of Zed Volume One, which collects #1-4 of the series into a very attractive and affordable package. Zed is best described as Dr. Seuss with a bodycount. The lead character, a cute and intelligent alien named Zed, accidentally blows up a planet (with his parents and the scientific community) on it in the first issue, and spends the rest of the story pursued by a militaristic general and his fleet, intent on using this accident to replace the sitting government. The last issue has a few revelations about the accident, though, which turn the whole story on its head, including the return of some of my favorite characters from the first issue.
I greatly enjoyed Zed, and was a little saddened to discover that this was just volume one of the story. Not because I don't want to read more, in fact I'm very anxious to read more, but I was dying to see the end of the story, and now I have to wait. But Gagne, who already surprised me more than once with Zed #1-3, introduces some big shifts and revelations in the story with #4, and I can't recommend the trade highly enough. --Randy Lander, The Fourth Rail
About the Author
Michel Gagne was born in Quebec, Canada. He studied animation at Sheridan College School of Visual Arts in Ontario, Canada and in 1985, began a highly successful artistic career.
Renowned for his unique vision, Michel has lent his talent to several animation companies, such as Don Bluth Studios, Warner Bros., Disney, Pixar, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, etc. His creative work can be seen in over twenty feature films including: The Iron Giant, Osmosis Jones, and Ratatouille. His short films, Prelude to Eden and Insanely Twisted Shadow Puppets, are favorites among animation students and teachers, and have played in festivals throughout the world. He was honored by the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, with four Annie Award nominations. He continues to create animation, special effects and conceptual designs for companies all over the world.
Michel is also very active in the publishing world having written and illustrated a dozen books, as well as two ongoing comic series: ZED and The Saga of Rex. His work has been published by DC Comics, Image Comics, Random House as well as Michel's own imprint, GAGNE International Press.
Among his other creative endeavors, Michel has experimented in a variety of projects in various media including video games, art shows (paintings, sculptures and mixed-media), trading card games, etc.
Simply put, Michel loves what he does!
He lives peacefully with his Family, in the Pacific Northwest, USA.
