Clive Barker's Seduth

Writers: Clive Barker and Chris Monfette. Art by Gabriel Rodriguez, colors by Jay Fotos, 3D conversion by Ray Zone. Published by IDW.

With the slew of 3D movies invading the cinemas, it is no small wonder that 3D is making its return to comics. To tell the truth, I have never read a comic where I felt that 3D added anything to it, often quite the contrary; so I assumed that 3D was in the case of this book nothing more than a neglect-able gimmick.

Not so: the whole comic has been built around 3D, and it probably wouldn't work without it. It's also the best 3D graphic I've ever seen - it works, and it makes sense in the term of the imagery used here.

As to the story line: this is a rather short, surreal tale about the nature of creation and destruction - or nihilism. As Clive Barker's notes at the end of the book suggest, its inspiration comes from the works of surrealists Bunuel or Fellini. There is no real linear plot in the usual sense, more a series of images, as disconnected as can be when taken from visions or nightmares - using horror elements without being a horror comic. The story line can be viewed as an exercise in style; and even though the book purports to be about themes such as creation or existence, there is really no new message here - only some vague notions transported by a narrative swelled with pathos. One is left with the feeling that there is a bit too much ado about nothing - or at least, about very little of substance. Maybe 24 pages weren't enough to fully develop what Clive Barker had in mind. But maybe this is also just a book that was meant to be judged on its visual qualities alone. And as such, it works Certainly, the 3D art is worth the money alone.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.