• Reviews

• All
• Music
• DVDs
• Live
• Cinema
• TV
• Books
• Comic Books
• Video Games

Mar 23, 2011 Web Exclusive By Jeremy Nisen

Gaylord Phoenix is an avant garde work that somehow incorporates truly unique cartooning —shades, shapes, patterns, and character design—with text message etiquette to project a plot and theme rife with the nature of sexuality against the backdrop of creating a deep, worldly mythology. It’s the tale of the Gaylord Phoenix, an odd creature—mostly man, but winged and with a projector nose—who seems to be redefined again and again, similar to the rebirthing of his namesake. It’s a search for meaning for the character, and most encounters result in sex; in these encounters, Gaylord Phoenix is reborn, in a sense, transforming and, perhaps, growing.

So on one level, there are more penises (usually represented as tube-like, rubbery things) than you can shake a stick at; on another level, there’s the horror, accomplishment, abuse, and even titillation of transformation, both self-realized and forced.

The clichéd cop-out of “this book is not for everyone” is pretty appropriate here. You can admire the art and quirks and the storytelling, which is dream-like, sometimes nightmarish, and always evocative. But if you aren’t comfortable with men (or let’s say “male creatures”) copulating on most every page, I’d suggest you either avoid the book, or, better, read it anyway and challenge yourself. Frankly, this work is challenging for anyone, even the sexually libertine, but it’s a challenge I’d endorse anyone (over 18) embarking on. (www.secretacres.com)

Author rating: 7/10